This Sausage Bread may be the most versatile recipe in your collection. It works as an appetizer, an easy weeknight dinner, a game-day snack, or a dish to bring to picnics and potlucks.
Sausage Bread
Ground sausage and shredded cheese baked inside pizza dough — that’s Sausage Bread. It’s simple, adaptable, and reliable for many occasions.
This Sausage Bread recipe is flexible: swap ingredients to match what you have on hand or your cravings. It’s a dish that always disappears fast, so consider making two loaves if you’re feeding a crowd.
To bulk it up, try sautéed green bell pepper, onion, and mushrooms; add pizza sauce for a pizza-style twist; or substitute or combine pepperoni with the sausage. There are plenty of ways to customize the filling to suit your taste.
Save this recipe — it’s one I make again and again. I hope you and your family enjoy it!
Sausage Bread: Ingredients & Substitutions
To make this Sausage Bread you’ll need just a few basic ingredients. Substitutions and variations are easy depending on what you have.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground sausage — any crumble-style sausage works.
- 1 tube refrigerated pizza dough (about 13.8 oz) — use your preferred brand.
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (about 16 oz) — freshly shredded melts best, but packaged works in a pinch.
- 1 large egg — beaten and brushed on top for a golden crust.
How to make Sausage Bread
First, prepare your workspace and oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a baking sheet and set it aside.
Second, cook the sausage. Crumble the sausage into a skillet and brown over medium heat until it’s no longer pink. Drain excess grease if desired.
Third, assemble the loaf. Unroll the pizza dough onto the prepared baking sheet and shape it into a rectangle. Spread the cooked sausage evenly over the dough, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges. Roll the dough up like a jelly roll, pinch the seam closed, and tuck the ends underneath. Place the loaf seam-side down on the baking sheet and brush the top with the beaten egg.
Finally, bake and rest. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the bread is cooked through. Let the loaf rest about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Sausage Bread: FAQs
Total time is under an hour: about 10 minutes to prep and roughly 30–35 minutes to cook.
This recipe yields about eight slices, depending on how thick you cut them.
Use any crumble-style sausage you enjoy — mild, hot, or Italian are all good choices. You can also experiment with diced or pre-cooked link sausages like kielbasa or smoked sausage, though crumble-style usually distributes best inside the loaf.
Other recipes you may enjoy
- Bacon Cheddar Ranch Chicken
- Sausage Balls
- Low Carb Sausage Balls
- Bread Bowl
- Soft Italian Breadsticks
Sausage Bread
Equipment
- Pastry brush
- Baking sheet
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground sausage
- 1 tube refrigerated pizza dough (~13.8 oz)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella (~16 oz)
- 1 large egg beaten, for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and set aside.
- Crumble and brown the sausage in a skillet over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain if desired.
- Open the tube of pizza dough onto the prepared baking sheet and shape into a rectangle. Spread the cooked sausage and shredded mozzarella over the dough, leaving about a 1-inch border. Roll the dough jelly-roll style, seal the seam and ends, and place seam-side down. Brush the loaf with beaten egg.
- Bake 25–30 minutes, or until the crust is golden and cooked through. Let the loaf rest 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- See the post notes for suggested variations like adding vegetables, pizza sauce, or pepperoni.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation.
Originally published on April 10, 2018. Updated on February 20, 2023.