Description
This Pull-Apart Pizza Bread is a delightful and easy-to-make appetizer or snack featuring a crusty white bread loaf sliced into sticks, filled with a flavorful tomato garlic sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. Baked to a golden finish and topped with Parmesan and fresh basil, this recipe combines the joy of pizza flavors in a fun, shareable format.
Ingredients
Scale
Tomato Sauce
- 6 tbsp (90 ml) tomato paste
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 1/4 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Main
- 1 rectangular loaf white bread, unsliced
- 1 cup (100 g) mozzarella cheese, grated
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- Torn basil leaves, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Place an oven rack in the middle position and heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a 5 x 9-inch (13 x 23 cm) loaf pan by lining it with parchment paper, allowing the paper to hang over two opposite sides for easy bread removal.
- Prepare Tomato Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the tomato paste, water, olive oil, finely chopped garlic, and dried oregano. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set this sauce aside for later use.
- Slice the Bread: On a clean work surface, use a bread knife to cut the rectangular bread loaf vertically into 1-inch (2.5 cm) thick breadsticks. Take care to cut slices evenly for best results.
- Assemble the Breadsticks: Brush the bottom half of each breadstick generously with the prepared tomato sauce. Begin arranging the breadsticks inside the parchment-lined pan in their original loaf shape as you work.
- Fill and Season: Stuff grated mozzarella cheese between the breadsticks, ensuring the cheese fills gaps and melts during baking. Brush the top surface of the arranged breadsticks with 1 tablespoon olive oil, then sprinkle evenly with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake to Finish: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and the cheese has melted beautifully.
- Add Fresh Basil: Remove from the oven and sprinkle torn fresh basil leaves over the top before serving to add a fresh, aromatic touch.
Notes
- The tomato sauce can be adjusted in consistency by varying the amount of water to suit preference.
- Using fresh basil adds the best flavor, but dried basil can be substituted if necessary.
- Ensure the bread loaf is unsliced to allow for even pulling apart after baking.
- For extra flavor, consider adding red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce or between breadsticks.
- Serve warm for the best experience as the cheese will be gooey and the bread soft yet crusty.
