QUICK AND EASY WEEKNIGHT FRENCH BREAD PIZZA RECIPE 

Crispy, garlicky, cheesy and delicious – this super quick and easy french bread pizza recipe is a hit with the whole family and is on the table in 15 minutes! 

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

Quick and Easy Weeknight French Bread Pizza Recipe 

This french bread pizza recipe checks ALLLL the boxes on my list. It’s super affordable – french bread is only $1/loaf at my local grocery store! It’s easily customizable as you can use any sauces, toppings, and cheeses you like! EVERYONE in my family loves this, especially because each person can choose their own toppings. 

It’s a perfect recipe for the kiddos to help prepare since you just add toppings to the pre-made bread. And finally? You can have it on the table in about 15 minutes with minimal dishes. 

WHY THIS EASY FRENCH BREAD PIZZA RECIPE WORKS

This recipe is a winner all – around. It truly couldn’t be easier but your family will thank you every time you make it. 

• Affordable Ingredients: French bread from a grocery store bakery is often SUPER cheap. It’s only $1 at my local store. You can use assorted veggies and proteins that you have left in the fridge at the end of the week to stretch your grocery budget too. 

• Adaptable: While my recipe calls for “traditional” pizza ingredients like cheese and pepperoni, you can make this your own. We LOVE making BBQ chicken pizza, meatball pizza, chicken bacon ranch pizza and more on french bread. 

• Easy Prep: This meal couldn’t be much easier to prepare. It’s PERFECT to involve the kiddos as they can help spread the sauce, sprinkle the cheese, and “decorate” the pizzas with their favorite toppings. Bonus points? If they help make it, they might actually eat it! 

• Minimal Cleanup: One pan and you’re good to go (unless you need to saute meats or veggies in advance). Use those leftover proteins and veggies to make this recipe super quick and easy.

• 15 Minute Meal: This meal comes together SO quickly! You only need 12 minutes of baking time plus a few minutes to pre-heat the oven.

FRENCH BREAD PIZZA INGREDIENTS:

• French Bread: I buy this from my local bakery or grocery store and love to use whole wheat french bread too! 
• Olive oil or butter for toasting bread
• Garlic
• Pizza Sauce: I love to keep Contadina pizza sauce in the squeeze bottle on hand to make it easy for my kiddos to help assemble the pizzas. Alternatively, you can use any pizza sauce of your choice or even leftover marinara or spaghetti sauce. The Rao’s brand pizza sauce is also a favorite at our house.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Shred your own if you’re feeling extra fancy but pre-shredded works too!
• Toppings: Pepperoni, Sausage, Onion, Bell Peppers, Banana Peppers, or whatever pizza toppings you prefer.

HOW TO COOK FRENCH BREAD PIZZAS:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. 
2. Meanwhile, slice french bread in half lengthwise. 
3. Prepare the toppings by shredding mozzarella cheese and sautéing any uncooked meats and vegetables. 
4. Brush olive oil and garlic onto each side of the bread and bake for five minutes.
5. Add pizza sauce to each side of the bread, followed by cheese and toppings of choice. 
6. Bake for approximately ten minutes until the cheese is bubbling.
7. If you prefer a browned pizza, broil for a minute or two until it reaches your desired level of crispiness.
8. Allow to cool for a few minutes then slice and serve!

FRENCH BREAD PIZZA IDEAS & SERVING SUGGESTIONS

I often like to load up our pizza with veggies and proteins to make it a complete meal! Otherwise, serve it with your favorite salad, fruits, or veggies.

Here are a few other French bread pizza ideas you can use with this same recipe:

Classic Combinations:

1. Margherita: Fresh mozzarella, basil, tomatoes, olive oil.
2. Pepperoni: Pepperoni, mozzarella, tomato sauce.
3. Hawaiian: Ham, pineapple, mozzarella, tomato sauce.
4. Meat Lovers: Pepperoni, sausage, bacon, ham, ground beef.
5. Vegetarian: Bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, olives, tomatoes, mozzarella.

Gourmet/Unique Combinations:

6. BBQ Chicken: BBQ sauce, grilled chicken, red onion, cilantro, mozzarella.
7. Buffalo Chicken: Buffalo sauce, chicken, mozzarella, blue cheese crumbles, ranch drizzle.
8. Fig & Prosciutto: Figs, prosciutto, arugula, mozzarella, balsamic glaze.
9. White Pizza: Ricotta, mozzarella, garlic, spinach, olive oil.
10. Pesto Chicken: Pesto sauce, grilled chicken, roasted red peppers, mozzarella.

Seafood Combinations:

11. Shrimp Scampi: Shrimp, garlic butter, parsley, mozzarella, parmesan.
12. Clam Pizza: Clams, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, parsley.

Bold Flavors:

13. Mexican Pizza: Ground beef, black beans, jalapeños, cheddar, salsa, cilantro.
14. Taco Pizza: Taco meat, lettuce, tomatoes, cheddar, sour cream drizzle.
15. Greek Pizza: Feta, spinach, black olives, red onion, tomato, oregano.

Creative/Unexpected Combinations:

16. Breakfast Pizza: Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, mozzarella, cheddar.
17. Mac & Cheese Pizza: Macaroni and cheese, bacon, mozzarella.
18. Buffalo Cauliflower: Roasted buffalo-flavored cauliflower, ranch, mozzarella, blue cheese.
19. Banh Mi Pizza: Pork, pickled carrots, cucumbers, cilantro, hoisin sauce.
20. Pear & Gorgonzola: Pear slices, gorgonzola cheese, walnuts, honey drizzle.

STORAGE

This can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. I haven’t personally tried freezing these but I imagine it would work wonderfully. I would freeze them uncooked with all toppings then add additional baking time when cooking from frozen.

MORE ITALIAN INSPIRED RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

Looking for other family friendly pizza night ideas? Check out Mom’s Favorite Meals’ pizza recipes here. We eat a lot of pizza around here, so I’ll be adding more in the coming weeks!

You can also find our Italian inspired recipes here. The Easy Oven Baked Chicken Parmesan is one of my personal faves!

Print