You Say Pizza I say…Well… I Also Say Pizza. Sorry.

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Janet

Growing up in Chicago I learned to love pizza. Contrary to popular legend (and silly TV travel and food shows that keep the myth alive) not all of Chicago pizzas are deep dish. Deep dish has its place sure, but ya know what? I didn’t have deep dish pizza until I was an adult. All the pizza I had as a kid growing up on “Da Sout’ Side” was thin crust and cut in squares not wedges thankyouverykindly. To this day, it’s how I prefer my pizza. On that note, tell me/us about YOUR favorite pizza. What kind of crust, what toppings? My favorite is a thin crust with sausage, mushrooms and extra cheese. Preferably from Artese pizza in Chicago… which I haven’t had since I was about 15 *sobs*. These days I settle for chain pizza because the rural part of Kentucky isn’t exactly a hot spot for good pizza. We also make it home made. My hubby is the pizza king around here when it comes to traditional. I’m the one who likes to shake things up and do it differently. Gee… imagine that. ME? Not doing things the normal way? Nahhhhhhhhh.

One thing I’ve been making for years is what we call pizza bread. Basically, it’s what they call Stromboli or Calzone (both different but similar enough that I feel no guilt using the names more or less interchangeably. Doubt the pizza police are gonna get me 😛 ) but…not. Calzones are usually a half moon shape and strombolis are usually rolled. Mine is neither. It’s one big huge…well… stuffed pizza.Â But I cheat by using frozen bread dough. This IS me after all. You know I try to bring you things that are tasty, usually quite bad for you hehehe but as easily done as possible. No exception here.

This is cheesy and gooey and meaty and saucy and…ok, so obviously it has all the flavor levels of pizza.Â Suffice it to say that it’s yummy. This is great for a light meal with salad or cut into strips for snacks while watchingÂ TV or hidden somewhere where nobody else can find it and heated up when you’re alone…

I have specific filling ingredients listed here but you can sub your favorites. Just be careful not to overstuff. No matter how well you think you have it sealed, put too much sauce, too much cheese or too much filling in it and it WILL break open and make a mess.

Stuffed Pizza Bread

2 loaves frozen bread dough, thawed (lay it out on foil, lightly grease it & leave till thawed)
1/2 cup pizza sauce (spaghetti sauce works fine too)
1/2 cup Tyson Italian Sausage crumbles
4 ounces (about 10 thin slices) hard salami
4 ounces Canadian bacon
12 ounces shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese
1/2 to 2/3 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
1 large beaten egg for egg wash
1/3 cup shredded mozzarella, provolone or “pizza” cheese
Basil Oil for drizzling and extra sauce for dipping if desired

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
On a lightly floured board (or counter like I do 😛 ) roll one loaf of the thawed dough out to about 8×11 or the approximate size of a sheet of copy paper.
Transfer to a large greased cookie sheet.
Layer the dough with the pizza sauce and toppings.
Roll out other loaf to about one inch larger in diameter than you did the other.
Brush beaten egg all around the edges of the filled loaf.
Carefully drape other loaf on top and seal edges with your fingers. Fold under if necessary.
Brush top of stuffed pizza thingamajigger with beaten egg then sprinkle with shaved Parmesan. Drizzle with basil oil.
Bake at 350 until golden brown, about 30 minutes.
Let rest for about 15 minutes before cutting or you’ll just have cheese everywhere. Sounds yummy yes, but rather unfair to the poor sods who get the middle of the loaf with no cheese in it 😛

44 thoughts on “You Say Pizza I say…Well… I Also Say Pizza. Sorry.”

Kim Bee on September 29, 2011 at 10:33 pm said:

Wowsers! This is amazing. Can I come over?

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- Jan on September 29, 2011 at 11:24 pm said:
  
  I’ll leave the light on Kim 😀 It’s HUGE so definitely enough to share
  
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Ann on September 29, 2011 at 11:15 pm said:

Wow – that looks delicious! I also believed the travel books and thought ALL pizza in Chicago was deep dish!

I have so many favorites when it comes to pizza. I love them grilled and I’d have to say the simple ingredients are my favorites – fresh tomatoes and mozzarella.

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- Jan on September 29, 2011 at 11:25 pm said:
  
  Thanks Ann 🙂 And yeah, I tihnk most non Chicagoans think that that is all you can get in Chicago. But the truth is, you will find just as many, if not more, excellent pizza places serving thin crust. 🙂
  
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Christine on September 29, 2011 at 11:28 pm said:

Can’t go wrong with pizza. Your pizza looks great.

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- Jan on September 29, 2011 at 11:46 pm said:
  
  Thanks Christine! Yep, is there anyone who DOESN’T like pizza? 🙂
  
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Sandra on September 30, 2011 at 6:54 am said:

I think those slices are smiling at me.

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Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. on September 30, 2011 at 8:41 am said:

Mmm, this pizza bread looks wonderful, Janet! This would be so tasty for a friday night dinner with some wine, or a party, or you know, like right now….

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- Jan on September 30, 2011 at 10:37 am said:
  
  Thanks Steph! Right now works for me too *goes to the fridge*
  
  Sandra, they are frowning at you to tell you to stay away and let ME eat them….
  
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Jen at The Three Little Piglets on September 30, 2011 at 11:29 am said:

That’s funny! The only pizza I had when I was in Chicago was deep dish…

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- Jan on September 30, 2011 at 1:17 pm said:
  
  I sowwy… that means you missed the REALLY good stuff 😛
  
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Tina@flourtrader on September 30, 2011 at 12:52 pm said:

The pizza place (45 miles away) has lousy service, but I do crave pizza a lot, so this is perfect! Those slices do look rather friendly for something that is just about to get eaten-yum!

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- Jan on September 30, 2011 at 1:16 pm said:
  
  Hmmmm, smiling pizza. Maybe I’m onto something here and just didn’t know it until you ladies showed me 😀
  
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Kelly on September 30, 2011 at 1:10 pm said:

Yummy!!! This looks so delicious and one of my favorite comfort foods, great recipe! 🙂

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- Jan on September 30, 2011 at 1:16 pm said:
  
  Thanks Kelly. And I think that you’re right; pizza does rank right up there as a great comfort food doesn’t it?
  
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RavieNomNoms on September 30, 2011 at 1:39 pm said:

This looks great!! I love the idea. What a perfect thing to have on a football Sunday!

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spiceblogger on September 30, 2011 at 1:45 pm said:

Oooo, I love stromboli! It’s one of my all-time favs. And your pizza bread looks DE-LISH!
Bring it on over, and I’ll provide the drinks 😉

–shelley

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Shay on September 30, 2011 at 4:23 pm said:

I really wish I had some of that right now! It looks and sounds super delicious!

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Amy on September 30, 2011 at 6:22 pm said:

Yum! This calzone looks wonderful and chalk full of goodies! I would love to dive right into that, the crust looks amazing as well!

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- Jan on October 1, 2011 at 6:49 pm said:
  
  No diving into the pizza products Amy. 😛
  
  Shay, get some ingredients and get to cooking. It’s so easy and quick!
  
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Emily @ Life on Food on October 1, 2011 at 5:12 am said:

I had no idea what stuffed bread was until moving to Connecticut. I have learned so much about Italian cooking since. Its good stuff and this looks delicious!

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My Kitchen Apron on October 1, 2011 at 6:46 am said:

I’ve been so busy I haven’t been checking blogs like I used to. Looks like I picked a good day to come back! Your stuffed pizza looks fantastic. Definitely bookmarking this one!

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- Jan on October 1, 2011 at 6:48 pm said:
  
  Thanks! Glad you came to check out my blog. Not that you’ve missed much since I’ve been gone too lol…..
  
  Ahhh, yeah, the New England area is a great place to learn about Italian cooking. 🙂
  
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Sandi on October 1, 2011 at 6:51 am said:

Always a great go-to dish. Great recipe!

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Mike@The Culinary Lens on October 1, 2011 at 7:36 am said:

Melted cheese makes everything good. I love how this looks. I was thinking you could also make individual ones.

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- Jan on October 1, 2011 at 6:46 pm said:
  
  Yeah, I’ve done the individual ones before Mike but I’m lazy and a big one is easier hehe
  
  Thanks Sandi! 🙂
  
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Kelsey @ K&K Test Kitchen on October 1, 2011 at 8:18 am said:

YUM! I need to try making this stuffed pizza bread asap! Seems like it would be great for football watching!

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eliot on October 1, 2011 at 9:21 am said:

I have so many favorite kinds of pizza. Hubby love deep dish, but I am not picky. This bread looks great and I think it would be a fave for us too. Buzz buzz.

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- Jan on October 1, 2011 at 6:39 pm said:
  
  Thanks Eliot!! I’m kinda like you… if it’s pizza I’ll eat it hehe. My husband is the picky one here too.
  
  Kelsy, let me know what you think if you try it 🙂
  
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danielle on October 1, 2011 at 10:34 am said:

Being from Chicago..I must say deep dish still rules all! However..I do normally get my pizza in the little squares most often just because its cheaper and quicker. But ohmygosh do i love me some doughy deep dish! Your post is going to ruin my 3 lb weight loss….just by looking…

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Peggy on October 1, 2011 at 5:01 pm said:

I’m definitely a fan of NY Style Pizza – thin crust, huge slices that you have to fold over, topped with simply the best pepperoni one can find…. now you’ve got me really hungry!

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- Jan on October 1, 2011 at 6:39 pm said:
  
  I have to admit Peggy that I’ve never really care for the NY pizza crust… too saggy for me. 🙁
  
  Danielle, we’ll have to agree to disagree 😛 This crust rules!!
  
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Cassie @ Bake Your Day on October 2, 2011 at 7:32 am said:

Holy cow this is incredible. I want some for breakfast! I love stuffed pizza!

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- Jan on October 2, 2011 at 3:32 pm said:
  
  oooo, I love the pizza for breakfast idea myself. 😀
  
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Meghan on October 2, 2011 at 10:43 am said:

Now I’m hungry!! This looks so good 🙂 Perfect to make for a party!

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- Jan on October 2, 2011 at 3:32 pm said:
  
  It is Meghan. It’s a great simple fix for a casual party 🙂
  
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Simply Life on October 2, 2011 at 10:55 am said:

wow! i Love this idea!

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- Jan on October 2, 2011 at 3:31 pm said:
  
  Hope you’ll give it a try then SL 🙂
  
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Lindsey@Lindselicious on October 2, 2011 at 7:15 pm said:

Whoa this looks amazing!! I wish I had a nice big warm toasty slice of this as I watch TV. It would be the perfect snack. =)

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- Jan on October 4, 2011 at 4:09 pm said:
  
  Then get to cooking Lindsey! Doesn’t get much easier than this. 🙂
  
  Why thank you Kate! And yeah, pizza in any form is almost always yummilicious!
  
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Kate @ Kate from Scratch on October 3, 2011 at 4:06 pm said:

Pizza in any form, is perfect with me. Yours looks wonderfully delicious!

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Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts on October 3, 2011 at 8:15 pm said:

Oh yes, this looks good! I am not a big fan of the deep dish pizza. Thin crust cut into squares is how I roll!

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claire @ the realistic nutritionist on October 4, 2011 at 2:15 pm said:

I LOVE THIS!!!! I need to make a calzone. But, I don’t NEED the pizza. Shoot. Oh well!

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Jan on October 4, 2011 at 4:10 pm said:

Yay Erin!!! One more reason to love you 😀

Claire, make it, have one small slice then freeze the rest 😀

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