Throw toppings (like pesto and tomato, Alfredo and chicken, or Pepperoni and cheese) on some French bread, bake for a few minutes and you’ve got an easy back to school dinner!

French Bread Pizza, 3 Ways

Guys, I finally did it. I lost my driving-in-San-Francisco-virginity.

French Bread Pizza, 3 Ways

I can see you rolling your eyes. That’s because you’ve never driven in San Francisco before. Driving there is like rewinding to the 11th grade. Remember all those obscure rules from Driver’s Ed about turning your wheels a certain way when you park on a hill? Or remember that whole parallel parking thing? Yeah. Me neither.

French Bread Pizza, 3 Ways

It took 4 grown women about 17 tries to get our car parallel parked. I swear I’m not exaggerating. I ran in the curb every time, awkwardly diagonal.  I felt like I was trying to squeeze my 10-pounds-overweight sedan into skinny jeans. Finally Eric’s sister took the wheel. By this time almost everyone was out of the car, waving our hands in the air helpfully. Passersby probably thought we were trying to land an airplane.

French Bread Pizza, 3 Ways

Meanwhile a tiny car stopped behind us, because they thought we were leaving. I waved them on. They stared at me. I waved again. And that was when I realized that they knew we had just arrived–they thought we were going to give up.

Aw heeeeeeck no.

French Bread Pizza, 3 Ways

We did make it eventually. Motivational credit goes out to the unbelievers in the tiny car. BOOM, TAKE THAT TINY.

San Francisco, I own you. Unless you want me to parallel park by myself without moral support and at least 2 hand-wavers. Then you win.

We had a get together at my cousin Amber’s house a while back. My cousin Misty made a huge batch of this Cream Cheese Chicken Chili, and Amber made a few French Bread Pizzas to appease the army of children. I had never even heard of French Bread Pizza, but I just googled it and realized I must live under a rock. 

French Bread Pizza, 3 Ways

Amber did hers 3 ways: one with Alfredo, jarred garlic, chicken and cheese, another with pesto, cheese, and tomatoes (my personal favorite) and another with trusty ol’ pepperoni. You really can’t go wrong with French Bread Pizza though, any toppings will work. These make great appetizers or football food. Add a big green salad and call it an easy dinner. Or add a few to stretch out another main dish, like chili.  I totally plan on making this a new Halloween tradition. Fun food that the kids will like that doesn’t involve anything hot and ready.

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French Bread Pizza, 3 Ways

5 from 1 vote
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 14 minutes
Total: 19 minutes
Servings: 3 Servings
Throw toppings (like pesto and tomato, Alfredo and chicken, or Pepperoni and cheese) on some French bread, bake for a few minutes and you've got an easy back to school dinner!

Ingredients

For the Tomato Pesto version:

  • 1 half loaf French bread, split horizontally
  • 1/3 cup pesto
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella
  • 1 medium tomato, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon basil, fresh, chopped (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, shredded

For the Alfredo chicken version:

  • 1 half loaf French bread, split horizontally
  • 1/2 cup Alfredo sauce
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 3/4 cup cooked chicken*, chopped (more or less)
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella, shredded

For the Pepperoni:

  • 1 half loaf French bread, split horizontally
  • 1/2 cup pizza sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 10-15 slices pepperoni
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, shredded

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350 F.
  • Split your loaf of bread in half horizontally (see photos).
  • Add the toppings of whatever kind you are making (Alfredo, pesto, or pepperoni) in the order they appear listed above. Or use your own toppings! Sky's the limit.
  • Bake on a cookie sheet for 14-15 minutes. If it looks like it's getting browned on the edges but the cheese in the middle is not browning, turn on your broiler and move the oven rack to the top (closest to the heat). Heat for 1 minute or until cheese starts to brown. Don't walk away! It really only takes 1 minute or so.
  • Remove from oven, slice with a sharp serrated knife, and serve hot. With a big salad!

Notes

These toppings are just ideas. Any kind of pizza topping would be good!
*I used a rotisserie chicken, but you can use canned chicken too.
Source: my cousin Amber

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 516kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 118mg | Sodium: 1391mg | Potassium: 414mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1616IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 466mg | Iron: 2mg
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Calories: 516
Keyword: French Bread, pizza
Did you make this? I'd love to see it!Mention @thefoodcharlatan or tag #thefoodcharlatan!

French Bread Pizza, 3 WaysCut each loaf the long way, like you’re making one huge sandwich.

French Bread Pizza, 3 Ways

French Bread Pizza, 3 Ways

French Bread Pizza, 3 WaysSome more easy dinner ideas:

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One skillet Chicken Pot Pie

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More easy dinners from friends:

One Pan Chicken Alfredo from Number 2 Pencil

Skillet Nachos with Spicy Salsa Verde Chicken by Picky Palate

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Comments

  1. these pizzas look amazing.. i can’t decide which version i like best! definitely will therefore have to create all three ways!

  2. I want to overdose on bread and eat all of these in one sitting. Keep me away, I’m dangerous.

  3. Whoa, these look amazing! Mmmm….melty cheese! And I feel you about driving/parking in SF. I used to live in Palo Alto, and always tried to take the train up to the city so I could avoid that whole thing!

  4. Hahaha your story made me laugh, especially with the plane landing and waving hands! Thanks for the afternoon giggle. Now I want to demolish all these pizza ideas! YUM!

  5. Driving in SF is such an accomplishment! Seriously! I once drove my car (stick shift) into the city. WORST IDEA EVER! It was probably the most stressful driving experience of my life. But I didn’t roll back and hit anyone! Haha. Needless to say, I know how you feel! And this pizza looks amazing! I think my mom used to make something like this for us growing up.

    1. Jules, the idea of driving in SF with a stick shift literally gives me the shakes. I’m so glad you made it!!! :)

  6. Yes, that was a memorable moment. The car. The parking. The onlookers. I don’t know why I didn’t take any pictures to commemorate it. Someone should have. May the Tiny Car People did and are still talking about it with their friends and co-workers.

    I’m stunned Karen. Stunned! Really. You’ve never made French Bread Pizza? I hardly know what to say. I’m glad we are past this. Your pictures look delicious and now I’m planning when we are going to make this again.

  7. All three look delicious! And yeah, parallel parking is the worst. I would rather walk 5 blocks than parallel park.

  8. You are one brave woman. I would never ever EVER attempt to drive in SF, heck, I can barely manage to drive through parking lots without hitting anything. Bravo bravo.

    And never heard of French bread pizza, yup, you definitely live under a rock. Glad you know about it now, because these babies look phenom.

  9. French bread pizza AND driving in SF virginity loss in one weekend? Epic events all around! You deserve another slice of pizza :)

  10. Brian mocks French bread pizza as college food. Which is dumb, because college food is awesome. Like no-bake cookies. Right on the counter. Thanks for reminding me…I think this is going to be dinner.

  11. I totally agree — driving in San Francisco is a nightmare! I’ve only been a passenger. I’m loving ALL of these variations! So perfect for the hectic back to school season!

  12. Congrats on the sf driving! I ran into a Vespa and tipped it over once while trying to park on a hill. It’s a crazy city to drive and park in! These pizzas look incredible!

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