Garbage Bread

Name: Garbage Bread
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; ½ cup diced onion; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon pepper; 11 ounce tube Pillsbury refrigerated French bread dough; 1/3 cup ketchup; 3 Tablespoons mustard; 6 slices cooked and crumbled bacon ((or 1 package of store-bought bacon pieces)); 2 dill pickle spears, chopped; 8 slices American cheese ((I used Kraft deli deluxe)); 1 large egg, beaten; 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds; Thousand Island dressing

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Garbage Bread may seem like a silly name for a recipe, but trust me, this stuffed bread is delicious! It’s basically hamburger ingredients rolled up in dough!

A SIMPLE STUFFED BREAD RECIPE

Are you looking for an easy, delicious stuffed bread recipe that won’t leave your wallet feeling empty? Well, then have I got the perfect recipe for you! Introducing Garbage Bread, a simple and inexpensive meal that feeds 4 people and will fill you up without breaking the bank. Not to mention, this is one of those delightful experiments in cooking where anything goes – just raid your cupboards and fridge to make up whatever topping combination strikes your fancy! Grab some dough and whatever odds and ends are lying around, let’s get creative in the kitchen with Garbage Bread!

Close up looking at a few slices of Garbage Bread.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Do you serve Garbage Bread warm or cold?

We like to serve this bread warm or at room temperature. When it’s warm, the cheesy is extra gooey and delicious. If it’s been in the fridge, pop it in the oven, microwave or air fryer to heat it up a bit, just watch in the oven so you don’t burn it or seeds.

What other cheeses can I add?

Try using some mozzarella or Pepper Jack cheese in place of the American.

Do I have to use ground beef?

Nope! That’s what is so great about this Garbage Bread, you use whatever you have on hand. So, if you don’t have ground beef, use some ground chicken, ground turkey, or ground sausage. Whatever meat you have will work! Or go vegan and use meat-free alternatives!

What if I can’t find the refrigerated French bread dough?

You can use store bought pizza dough or make your own. Additionally, you can also use frozen French bread loaves if your store carries those. Just make sure to follow the directions on the package about how to thaw it properly.

What other flavor combos can I use?

Garbage bread can literally be made in so many different ways. This one is more like a cheeseburger version but here are some tasty combinations we have also made in the past:
* BBQ Chicken Garbage Bread: Spread barbecue sauce over the dough and top with shredded cooked chicken, red onions, and mozzarella cheese. Bake as directed.
* Pizza Garbage Bread: Spread pizza sauce over the dough and top with fresh mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, and basil. Bake as directed.
* Breakfast Garbage Bread: Spread a layer of scrambled eggs over the dough, top with cooked bacon, cheese, and green onions. Bake as directed.

Can I make this ahead of time?

You bet! Sometimes, I’ll make a double batch so we can have a loaf now and freeze the other for later. Make the stuffed bread loaf. Before cooking, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in the freezer for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight and bake it in the oven at 400°F for 25-30 minutes or until it is fully cooked and the dough is golden brown.

Why is it called Garbage Bread?

Well, it’s really simple. Instead of tossing leftover ingredients, that you may not use in the garbage, toss them together to make this Garbage Bread. I am using an exact recipe here but the idea is that you use what you have on hand. It’s great for leftover meat!

How to store leftovers?

Place any leftovers in the refrigerator, in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave, oven or air fryer.

A few slices of garbage bread in front of the rest of the loaf of bread.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

refrigerated French bread dough
ground beef
diced onion
salt and pepper
ketchup and mustard
cooked and crumbled bacon
dill pickle spears
American cheese
egg
sesame seeds
Thousand Island dressing

French bread dough, ground beef, diced onion, salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, bacon, Dill pickle spears, American cheese, eggs, sesame seed, and Thousand Island Dressing.

HOW TO MAKE GARBAGE BREAD:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray. In a large pan, add the ground beef and onion. Cook and crumble the ground beef. Season with salt and pepper.

Once cooked, drain any excess grease. Roll out the refrigerated French bread dough on a floured surface into a large rectangle.

Spread the ketchup and mustard evenly over the pizza dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges.

Rolled out French Bread with ketchup smeared all over it.

Evenly layer the cooked beef on top of the ketchup and mustard.

Ground beef on top of ketchup on top of dough.

Then sprinkle the crumbled bacon and chopped pickles on top.

Bacon, chopped pickles, ground beef, onion, ketchup, and mustard on French bread dough rolled out.

Place the American cheese slices on top in a single layer.

American cheese slices layered overtop of a ground beef mixture on bread dough.

Roll up the dough starting from one long end to the other, sealing the edges. Place the rolled-up dough onto the prepared baking sheet (seam side down).

Brush the dough with the beaten egg and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

A pastry brush brushing a beaten egg on a rolled up loaf of bread.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the dough is golden brown.

A loaf of Garbage Bread on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Once cooked, take it out and let it cool for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving. We like to serve this with Thousand Island Dressing for dipping!