Garbage Bread: The Ultimate Crowd-Pleasing Stuffed Bread (With Cheesy Beef & Peppers!)

If you’ve never tried Garbage Bread, get ready to meet your new favorite party food, game day snack, and weeknight dinner hero all in one glorious, cheesy package! The first time I made Garbage Bread, I had no idea it would become such a family staple. Packed with savory ground beef, melty cheese, sweet peppers, and wrapped in golden dough, every slice is like the best part of a cheeseburger, calzone, and stromboli combined. It’s easy to make, endlessly customizable, and almost always the first thing gone at any gathering. Whether you call it stuffed bread, cheeseburger bread, or Garbage Bread (the name is way more delicious than it sounds!), this is comfort food that never disappoints.

this Recipe

What Is Garbage Bread?

Garbage Bread is a stuffed, rolled bread loaded with a hearty, flavorful filling—typically ground beef, cheese, and whatever “extras” you have on hand. The “garbage” part of the name just means you can toss in whatever you like: bell peppers, onions, pickles, bacon, mushrooms, or even a little chopped apple for sweetness. The filling gets rolled up in pizza dough or bread dough, baked until golden, then sliced into thick, irresistible pieces. Think of it as a cross between a stromboli and a stuffed sandwich, perfect for dipping in marinara, ranch, or ketchup.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Recipe

• Easy to Make: No fancy techniques or equipment—just cook, roll, and bake!
• Incredibly Satisfying: Gooey cheese, juicy beef, and crisp-tender veggies in every bite.
• Customizable: Use up leftovers or personalize with your favorite flavors.
• Perfect for a Crowd: Slice and serve for game day, potlucks, or weeknight dinner.
• Portable: Great for lunchboxes or taking on the go.
• Ultimate Comfort Food: Warm, hearty, and always a hit.

How Does Garbage Bread Taste?

Picture this: You bite into a warm slice, and there’s an explosion of savory, cheesy goodness. The dough is golden on the outside, pillowy inside, and wrapped around a filling of seasoned beef, melty cheddar, and sweet bell peppers. There’s a little tang from Worcestershire or ketchup, richness from the cheese, and a perfect mix of textures—soft, gooey, crunchy, and chewy all at once. It’s like a loaded cheeseburger in bread form, but even better because every bite is filled with all the best parts!

Health & Ingredient Benefits

While Garbage Bread is definitely an indulgence, you can make it a bit lighter and sneak in some goodness, too:

• Lean Ground Beef: High in protein and iron; use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
• Bell Peppers: Loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants.
• Onions & Garlic: Add flavor and boost immune benefits.
• Cheese: Source of calcium and protein—plus that crave-worthy melt.
• Dough: Use whole wheat dough or thin crust for extra fiber.
• Custom Add-Ins: Spinach, mushrooms, or even diced apples for a healthy twist!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For 1 large loaf (serves 6–8):

• 1 pound lean ground beef (or turkey/chicken)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 bell pepper (red, orange, or yellow), diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (16-ounce) package pizza dough or homemade dough
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• Optional: chopped parsley, sesame seeds, or grated Parmesan for topping

Tools You’ll Need

• Large skillet
• Mixing spoon or spatula
• Baking sheet or pizza stone
• Parchment paper
• Rolling pin
• Pastry brush (for egg wash)
• Knife

Optional Substitutions & Additions

• Swap the Meat: Ground turkey, chicken, sausage, or a veggie ground.
• Make It Veggie: Use sautéed mushrooms, spinach, black beans, or lentils.
• Spicy Kick: Add pickled jalapeños or pepper jack cheese.
• Cheeseburger Style: Toss in chopped pickles, a squirt of mustard, or even crumbled bacon.
• Breakfast Version: Scrambled eggs, cooked sausage or bacon, hash browns, and cheese.
• Pizza Vibes: Pepperoni, olives, and pizza sauce!

How to Make Garbage Bread

1. Prep Dough: Let pizza dough come to room temp for easy rolling.
2. Cook Filling: In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Add Veggies & Flavor: Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook 3–4 minutes until soft. Stir in ketchup, Worcestershire, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
4. Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll dough into a large rectangle (about 10×16 inches).
5. Fill & Roll: Spread beef mixture evenly over dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Top with cheeses. Roll up jelly-roll style from the long side, pinching seam and ends to seal. Place seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
6. Egg Wash & Top: Brush with beaten egg. Sprinkle with parsley, sesame seeds, or Parmesan if desired. Cut shallow slits on top to vent.
7. Bake: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 22–28 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
8. Cool & Slice: Let cool 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces!

What to Serve with Garbage Bread

• Marinara sauce or ranch dressing for dipping
• Crisp green salad
• Roasted or steamed veggies
• Chips, pickles, or coleslaw
• Tomato soup

Tips for Success

• Cool Filling Slightly: Prevents dough from getting soggy.
• Seal Well: Pinch seams and ends tight so the filling stays in.
• Egg Wash: Makes the top beautifully golden and shiny.
• Let It Rest: Slices cleaner after cooling for 10 minutes.
• Customize It: Use up what’s in your fridge—get creative!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overfilling: Too much filling will make it hard to roll and may leak.
• Underbaking: Make sure the bottom is golden; use parchment to avoid sticking.
• Hot Filling: Always cool the filling before assembling, or the dough will get gummy.
• Not Venting: Always cut a few slits in the top so steam can escape.

How to Store & Reheat

• Store: Cool completely, then wrap tightly and refrigerate up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Wrap in foil and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in fridge.
• Reheat: Bake slices at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes, or microwave briefly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use crescent roll dough or bread dough?
Yes! Any sturdy dough works pizza dough is classic, but experiment with what you love.

Can I prep it ahead?
Absolutely. Assemble and refrigerate (unbaked) for a few hours, or bake and reheat before serving.

Is it freezer-friendly?
Very! Freeze whole or sliced; reheat in oven for best results.

Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes! Use plant-based ground or all veggies.

Nutritional Info (approximate per slice, 8 slices)

• Calories: 340
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Sugar: 3g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 19g
• Sodium: 650mg

(Nutrition will vary by dough and filling.)

Conclusion

Garbage Bread is the ultimate stuffed bread cheesy, meaty, flavorful, and endlessly versatile. Whether you stick to the classic or toss in your favorite extras, this bake-and-slice loaf is guaranteed to steal the show at any meal or gathering. Once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again so grab your dough and get rolling!

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August 5, 2025 by Melissa