“Garbage bread” is a fun, casual name for a dish that’s often a variation of stuffed bread or a savory roll filled with all kinds of delicious ingredients, hence the “garbage” part. The beauty of garbage bread is that you can fill it with whatever you have on hand—meats, cheeses, veggies, and even sauces—making it an easy and customizable comfort food.
Here’s a basic recipe to make Garbage Bread:
Ingredients:
- For the dough:
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- For the filling:
- 1 cup pepperoni slices (or any deli meats like ham, salami, or sausage)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or any cheese you like)
- ½ cup bell peppers, chopped (optional)
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped (optional)
- ¼ cup black olives, chopped (optional)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup marinara sauce or pizza sauce (for dipping or spreading inside)
Instructions:
1. Make the dough:
- In a bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast activates and becomes foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and olive oil. Slowly add the yeast mixture and stir until a dough begins to form.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
2. Prepare the filling:
- While the dough is rising, prepare your fillings. Chop up your meats, veggies, and any other desired ingredients. Grate or shred your cheese.
- Mix the garlic powder and Italian seasoning into the filling ingredients for extra flavor.
3. Assemble the garbage bread:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a large rectangle (about 12×18 inches).
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce in the center of the dough, leaving about 1 inch around the edges.
- Layer the pepperoni, cheese, veggies, and any other fillings you like on top of the sauce.
- Sprinkle with additional seasoning, if desired.
- Carefully roll the dough up, starting from one edge, like a jelly roll or cinnamon roll. Pinch the edges to seal the bread and tuck the ends underneath to keep everything inside.
4. Bake the bread:
- Place the rolled-up garbage bread seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy.
- You can brush the top with a little melted butter or olive oil during the last 5 minutes of baking to make it extra golden.
5. Serve:
- Let the garbage bread cool for a few minutes before slicing it into thick pieces. Serve with extra marinara or pizza sauce on the side for dipping.
Variations:
- Vegetarian Garbage Bread: Fill it with roasted vegetables, mushrooms, spinach, and different cheeses.
- Spicy Garbage Bread: Add jalapeños, hot sausage, or red pepper flakes to the filling for some heat.
- Sweet and Savory: Try adding pineapple or figs along with ham for a sweet twist.
Garbage bread is super customizable, so feel free to throw in whatever ingredients you have on hand. It’s a fun and delicious way to clean out the fridge and make a satisfying meal.
Does this sound like what you were thinking of? Or do you have any special ingredients in mind for your garbage bread?