One summer evening, my neighbor across the street knocked at the door with a dish so enticing I almost forgot to say hello. It was a braided loaf stuffed with meats and cheese, its aroma drifting through our yards and drawing my husband and me to the table. My neighbor smiled and shared how he improvised it after campfire cooking on a mountain trip—no oven, just foil and embers. That rustic charm stuck with me.

A week later, I decided to recreate it in my own kitchen, swapping campfire coals for my trusty oven and adding a few tweaks I learned during my teaching years.

As I browned the seasoned ground beef, pepperoni and cheese peeked from the unrolled dough like little promises. My daughter popped in from her college campus, drawn by the familiar scent. She gave me that knowing look we share when food becomes something special.

By the time it baked to a golden, cheese-streaked masterpiece, kids from next door were knocking, lured by the scent. We pulled chairs onto the porch, sliced the bread, and dipped each warm piece into marinara sauce. That night, the laughter and cutting board crumbs under the stars reminded me why I share these recipes: they invite people in, create memories and fill the belly with something hearty and comforting.

Short Description

A golden braided pizza bread loaded with seasoned ground beef, pepperoni, provolone, and mozzarella, perfect for dipping in warm pizza sauce—great for movie nights, family dinners or casual gatherings.

Key Ingredients

½ lb lean ground beef
½ tsp dried oregano, divided
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp kosher salt
⅓ cup pizza sauce, plus remaining in jar for dipping
1 tube (13.8 oz) refrigerated pizza dough
4 slices provolone cheese
2 oz thin-sliced pepperoni (about 1⁄3 cup)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 Tbsp melted butter
2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

Tools Needed

Large nonstick skillet
Baking sheet with shallow sides
Pastry brush
Sharp knife or pizza cutter
Small bowl for butter and seasoning

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Preheat Oven
Preheat oven to 400°F.

Step 2: Cook the Beef
In a nonstick skillet over medium‑high heat, cook beef with oregano, garlic powder, and kosher salt, stirring often until browned, 6–8 minutes. Drain any excess drippings. Let cool slightly, then stir in ⅓ cup pizza sauce.

Step 3: Prepare the Dough
Unroll pizza dough onto a lightly greased baking sheet.

Step 4: Layer the Filling
Spread ½ cup pizza sauce down the center of the dough. Lay provolone slices on the sauce, then add pepperoni, the cooked beef, and top with mozzarella cheese.

Step 5: Braid the Dough
Using a sharp knife, cut 1‑inch strips along both long sides of the dough, toward the filling. Fold alternating strips over the filling to create a braid.

Step 6: Brush and Season
Brush melded butter over the dough. Sprinkle Parmesan and the remaining 1⁄8 tsp oregano on top.

Step 7: Bake
Bake 20–25 minutes until dough is golden brown and fully baked through.

Step 8: Serve with Sauce
Warm the remaining pizza sauce. Slice bread and serve with it as a dipping sauce.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Flavor Explosion: Rich beef, pepperoni, and blend of cheeses wrapped in buttery dough

Comfort Food, Redefined: Easy, filling, and perfect for hands-on dinners

Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep in advance and bake just before serving

Party-Ready: Great for sharing—kids and adults love to help braid and dip

Balanced: Protein-packed with a satisfying serving of veggies optional on the side

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Dough tears during braiding
Solution: Let dough rest 5 minutes after unrolling so it’s less springy

Filling oozes out
Solution: Keep a clean ½‑inch border and crimp dough tightly

Dry bread
Solution: Brush generously with melted butter before baking

Uneven bake
Solution: Rotate pan halfway through baking for even browning

Sauce too thick for dipping
Solution: Warm sauce gently to thin it and enhance flavor

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Slice and serve family-style on a platter with dipping sauce on the side

Pair with a crisp Caesar salad or roasted vegetables

Perfect with sparkling water, bold red wine, or iced tea

Ideal for potlucks, game nights, movie nights or casual dinners

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store leftover bread in airtight container for up to three days

Reheat in a 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes to bring back crispness

Microwave single slices for 30 seconds, then toast briefly to refresh

For longer storage, slice, wrap individual pieces in foil, and freeze. Reheat from frozen in oven at 350°F for 15 minutes

FAQs

1. Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes use sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, and onion in place of beef and pepperoni

2. Can I use homemade dough?
Absolutely. Use your favorite pizza dough recipe—just roll it into a rectangle first

3. What if I don’t have provolone?
Swap for cheddar, fontina, or omit—it still tastes wonderful

4. Can I make this ahead?
Assemble on the sheet a few hours ahead, cover, refrigerate, and bake when ready

5. How can I add veggies?
Layer thinly sliced peppers, spinach, olives or artichokes under the cheese

Tips & Tricks

Let beef cool slightly before layering to prevent soggy dough

Use a pizza cutter for neat slices and clean braids

Brush with garlic butter instead of plain butter for extra flavor

Sprinkle red pepper flakes before baking for a subtle kick

Serve immediately for the best crust texture and gooey filling

Recipe Variations

Spicy Italian: Use spicy Italian sausage instead of ground beef and add crushed pepper flakes

BBQ Meat Lovers: Swap pizza sauce for BBQ sauce and add cooked bacon and chicken

Hawaiian Twist: Add diced ham and pineapple with mozzarella for a sweet-savory twist

Four-Cheese Deluxe: Replace mozzarella with a blend of fontina, gouda, asiago, and provolone

Final Thoughts

As soon as Meat Lovers Pizza Bread hits the table, this pizza bread gets everyone leaning in.The combination of juicy beef, pepperoni, melted cheese, and soft braided dough feels homemade in the best way.

From the first cheesy pull to the last buttery bite, it has a way of bringing people closer—one delicious slice at a time. May it become a warm, delicious memory at your table—just as it did at ours.

Meat Lovers Pizza Bread

Print This

Nutrition facts: calories fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

Ingredients

½ lb lean ground beef
½ tsp dried oregano, divided
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp kosher salt
⅓ cup pizza sauce, plus remaining in jar for dipping
1 tube (13.8 oz) refrigerated pizza dough
4 slices provolone cheese
2 oz thin-sliced pepperoni (about 1⁄3 cup)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 Tbsp melted butter
2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat Oven
Preheat oven to 400°F.

Step 2: Cook the Beef
Brown beef in a skillet with oregano, garlic powder, and salt (6–8 minutes). Drain fat, cool slightly, then mix in ⅓ cup pizza sauce.

Step 3: Prepare the Dough
Unroll pizza dough onto a greased baking sheet.

Step 4: Add the Filling
Spread ½ cup pizza sauce down the center. Layer with provolone, pepperoni, beef, and mozzarella.

Step 5: Braid the Dough
Cut 1-inch strips along both sides. Fold over filling, alternating sides to braid.

Step 6: Brush and Top
Brush with melted butter. Sprinkle Parmesan and remaining oregano.

Step 7: Bake
Bake 20–25 minutes until golden and cooked through.

Step 8: Serve
Heat remaining sauce. Slice bread and serve with warm sauce for dipping.