Ricotta-Stuffed French Bread Pizza (Print View)

French bread filled with ricotta, mozzarella, and herbs, topped with marinara and cheese for a satisfying baked dish.

# Components:

→ Bread Component

01 - 1 large French baguette

→ Ricotta Cheese Blend

02 - 1 cup ricotta cheese
03 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
04 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 1 clove garlic, minced
07 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnishes and Sauce

10 - 1 cup marinara sauce
11 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
12 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

→ Optional Additions

14 - Sliced black olives
15 - Sliced mushrooms
16 - Pepperoni

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Slice the French baguette in half lengthwise. Carefully hollow out a portion of the soft interior of each half, creating a shallow well while maintaining approximately a 1/2-inch crust. Reserve the removed bread for other uses or discard.
03 - In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, chopped basil, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until a smooth and homogenous blend is achieved.
04 - Evenly distribute the prepared ricotta mixture into the hollowed-out sections of the baguette halves.
05 - Spoon the marinara sauce over the ricotta filling, ensuring even coverage across the surface.
06 - Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese over the marinara sauce. Add any desired optional toppings, such as olives, mushrooms, or pepperoni (omit if preparing a vegetarian version). Finish with dried oregano.
07 - Place the assembled baguette halves onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling, and the bread edges achieve a golden-brown hue.
08 - Remove the French bread pizzas from the oven. Allow them to cool for 2 to 3 minutes before slicing. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Easy to prepare with minimal clean up
  • Ready in just over half an hour from start to finish
  • Crowd-pleasing cheesy and creamy filling inside crispy bread
  • Customizable with different toppings or add-ins based on your taste
  • Makes an impressive appetizer or a main without fuss
02 -
  • High protein and vegetarian friendly for a filling main
  • Baguette shell crisps up on the outside but stays soft inside
  • Can be made ahead and baked off when ready to serve
03 -
  • Use a sharp serrated knife to avoid crushing the baguette when slicing
  • Let the filling come to room temperature before stuffing so it spreads more easily
  • If using optional toppings pat them dry to keep the pizza from getting soggy
  • Shred your own cheese for the meltiest results especially for mozzarella
  • Letting it cool a couple of minutes after baking will keep everything from oozing out when sliced

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