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Quick Crispy French Bread Pizza with Italian Sausage

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A fast and easy French bread pizza topped with savory Italian sausage, melty mozzarella, and a crispy crust, perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 loaf French bread, sliced lengthwise (day-old preferred)
  • 8 ounces Italian sausage, casing removed and crumbled
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, for brushing the bread
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup marinara sauce (120 ml), store-bought or homemade
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (100–150 g)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (25 g)
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • A few fresh basil leaves, roughly torn (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Slice the French bread loaf in half lengthwise and lay the halves cut side up on a baking sheet. Brush the cut sides with olive oil to cover the entire surface.
  3. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the crumbled Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Add minced garlic in the last 2 minutes to soften and infuse flavor. Drain excess grease if needed.
  4. Spread marinara sauce evenly over each bread half, leaving a small border around the edges.
  5. Sprinkle the cooked sausage evenly over the sauce.
  6. Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sausage, then dust with grated Parmesan cheese. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown and the bread edges are toasted and crispy.
  8. Remove from oven and scatter fresh basil leaves on top. Let cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Use day-old French bread for extra crispness. Brush bread with olive oil to prevent sogginess. Brown sausage well before assembling. Avoid overloading sauce and cheese to keep crust crispy. Let pizza rest a few minutes before slicing to prevent cheese from sliding off. Reheat leftovers in oven or toaster oven to maintain crispness; avoid microwaving.

Nutrition

Keywords: French bread pizza, Italian sausage pizza, quick pizza recipe, crispy pizza, easy dinner, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/quick-crispy-french-bread-pizza-with-italian-sausage-easy-recipe/