Short description
Sausage and Pepper Stuffed Bread is a hearty, oven-baked loaf filled with seasoned Italian sausage, sautéed peppers and onions, and melted cheese—offering rich, savory flavor and satisfying texture in every slice.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Delivers a comforting blend of savory sausage, vibrant peppers, and gooey cheese.
- Easily adaptable with store-bought dough or homemade bread.
- Perfect as a party appetizer, family dinner, or indulgent snack.
- Great make-ahead option—prep, bake, and reheat as needed.
- Crowd-pleasing and portable—serves well with marinara sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or hot), casings removed
- 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 2 packages refrigerated Italian bread dough (e.g., Pillsbury)
- 1 cup shredded provolone cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Marinara sauce for dipping (optional)
Directions
- In a skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles. Add diced peppers and onion; sauté until softened (about 7–8 minutes). Mix in garlic powder and dried herbs. Remove filling from heat and allow to cool.
- Roll or stretch the dough open on a floured surface. Layer half of the cooked sausage mixture down the center, then sprinkle with provolone and mozzarella.
- Fold the dough over the filling and seal snugly. Use egg wash to glue seams and ends together. Brush the top with egg wash and sprinkle with Parmesan.
- Place the loaf seam-side down on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 400 °F oven for about 15–18 minutes until golden brown.
- Let the bread rest briefly before slicing. Serve warm, optionally with marinara sauce for dipping.
Servings and timing
Servings: Approximately 8 slices (serves 6–8)
Prep time: ~15 minutes
Cook (bake) time: ~15–18 minutes
Total time: ~30–35 minutes
Variations
- Homemade dough option: Use your favorite pizza or Italian bread dough for deeper flavor.
- Meat alternatives: Substitute turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter version.
- Cheese tweaks: Swap provolone for cheddar, Gruyère, or add fresh mozzarella slices.
- Spicy twist: Use hot sausage or add chili flakes, or garnish with spicy marinara.
- Veggie boost: Add sautéed mushrooms or diced jalapeños for extra texture and heat.
- Mini loaves or rolls: Portion smaller, roll into individual servings for appetizers or party snacks.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm in the oven at low heat or air fryer until heated through and crisp.
- Freeze: You can freeze baked slices—thaw and reheat in the oven for best texture.
FAQs
1. Can I use store-bought dough?
Yes—using premade pizza or bread dough makes preparation quick and consistent.
2. How can I prevent soggy bread?
Ensure vegetables are sautéed until soft and moisture is released. Allow filling to cool before stuffing to avoid steam buildup.
3. Can I make smaller portions?
Absolutely. Roll dough around individual portions of filling to create mini stuffed loaves or rolls.
4. Is it okay to skip the egg wash?
You can, but it helps seal the dough and gives the crust a beautiful golden sheen.
5. What other dipping sauces work well?
Besides marinara, try garlic butter, pesto, or spicy aioli.
6. How do I prevent filling leakage?
Seal the dough tightly—pinch ends and brush with egg wash to create a strong seal.
7. Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble and refrigerate before baking, or bake in advance and reheat when needed.
8. How do I serve it for gatherings?
Slice just before serving or bring partially baked slices to finish in the oven—ensures freshness and warmth.
9. Can I make it gluten-free?
Use gluten-free dough alternatives available in stores or specialty markets.
10. What’s the serving tip?
Serve slices warm with sides like salad, pasta, or roasted veggies to make it a complete meal.
Conclusion
Sausage and Pepper Stuffed Bread is the kind of indulgent, flavorful comfort food that’s both easy to prepare and endlessly shareable. Whether whipping it up for a party, family dinner, or casual snack, its golden crust and savory center never disappoint. Enjoy customizing it with your favorite ingredients, and savor every cheesy, satisfying bite!
Print
Sausage and Pepper Stuffed Bread
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Serves 8–10
- Diet: Halal
Description
Savory Italian sausage and sweet bell peppers encased in soft, cheesy bread—an irresistible, shareable dish perfect for parties or a hearty family meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or hot), casings removed
- 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 2 packages refrigerated Italian bread dough (e.g., Pillsbury)
- 1 cup shredded provolone cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Marinara sauce for dipping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven as directed on bread-dough package.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook sausage until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Add diced bell peppers, onion, garlic powder, oregano, and basil; sauté until vegetables are softened.
- Roll out each package of bread dough into rectangles on a lightly greased baking sheet.
- Layer provolone and mozzarella cheese, then spoon the sausage–pepper mixture along one side of the dough
- Roll the dough up jelly-roll–style, seal the seam well, and tuck in the ends to prevent filling from leaking.
- Brush the top with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake according to dough instructions (usually 15 minutes), until golden brown and cooked through. Let rest a few minutes, then slice and serve—with marinara sauce if desired.
Notes
- You can customize cheese types or sausage varieties (e.g., cheese-filled or spicy sausage)—great for adapting flavors. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
- Don’t over-sauté the peppers and onions—they should be just tender to avoid making the bread soggy. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
- If using frozen dough, ensure it’s fully thawed but still chilled before shaping; this helps manage workability. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
- Letting the bread rest briefly after baking helps maintain structure when slicing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer / Main Dish
- Method: Bake in dough roll-up
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approx 1 slice (1/10 loaf)
- Calories: 581 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 788 mg
- Fat: 41 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: approx. 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 53 mg
