When you can’t decide between pizza night and garlic bread, why not have both? These Garlic Bread Pizza Melts are crispy, cheesy, and loaded with your favorite pizza toppings, making them the perfect quick and budget-friendly dinner for busy weeknights.
This recipe is one of my favorite “back pocket” meals because it takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish and uses ingredients I almost always have in my freezer or pantry. Whether you’re feeding picky kids, looking for an easy lunch, or need a simple dinner after a long day, these pizza melts always hit the spot.
The best part? Everyone can customize their own! Set out a few toppings and let everyone build their favorite combination.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in under 30 minutes
- Budget-friendly
- Family-friendly
- Perfect for picky eaters
- Easy to customize
- Great for lunch or dinner
- Freezer-friendly
Ingredients
- 1 box frozen garlic bread (8 slices)
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 24 slices pepperoni
Optional Toppings
- Cooked Italian sausage
- Cooked ground beef
- Bacon crumbles
- Diced ham
- Mushrooms
- Green peppers
- Black olives
- Red onion
- Pineapple
- Banana peppers
- Italian seasoning
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 425°F.
Arrange the frozen garlic bread on a baking sheet.
Bake for 5 minutes to give the bread a head start and help it stay crispy.
Step 2
Remove the garlic bread from the oven.
Spread about 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce on each slice.
Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
Add pepperoni and any additional toppings you’d like.
Step 3
Return to the oven and bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
For extra golden cheese, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end. Watch carefully so it doesn’t burn.
Step 4
Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and Italian seasoning if desired.
Serve immediately while the cheese is hot and melty.
Budget-Friendly Tips
Buying store-brand frozen garlic bread and shredded mozzarella keeps this recipe affordable without sacrificing flavor.
Have leftover toppings from another pizza night? This is a great way to use them up instead of letting them go to waste.
Make It Kid-Friendly
Set up a “pizza bar” with different toppings and let everyone build their own garlic bread pizza.
Kids love making their own dinner, and it’s an easy way to keep everyone happy without cooking multiple meals.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
For the crispiest results, reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes or in the oven at 375°F for 8 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Texas toast instead?
Yes! Frozen Texas toast garlic bread works perfectly and gives you a thicker, heartier pizza.
Can I freeze these?
Absolutely. Assemble them before baking and freeze in a single layer. Bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
What should I serve with Garlic Bread Pizza Melts?
These pair perfectly with:
- Caesar salad
- Fresh fruit
- Roasted vegetables
- Mozzarella sticks
- Chips
- Tomato soup
More Budget-Friendly Dinner Recipes
If you enjoyed these Garlic Bread Pizza Melts, be sure to check out these other easy dinners:
- Mac and Cheese Taco Cups
- Elote Tater Tot Bake
- Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowls
- Cheeseburger Stuffed French Bread
- Buffalo Chicken Crunch Burritos
I’m always sharing easy, affordable recipes that help make weeknight dinners less stressful and more delicious. My goal is to help you feed your family well while sticking to a budget, using simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear what toppings your family chose! Leave a comment below and let me know your favorite combination.
Garlic Bread Pizza Melts
Description
These Garlic Bread Pizza Melts are made with crispy frozen garlic bread, pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and your favorite toppings. A quick, budget-friendly dinner that's perfect for busy weeknights and picky eaters!
Ingredients
Instructions
Step 1
-
Preheat your oven to 425°F.
-
Arrange the frozen garlic bread on a baking sheet.
-
Bake for 5 minutes to give the bread a head start and help it stay crispy.
Step 2
-
Remove the garlic bread from the oven.
-
Spread about 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce on each slice.
-
Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
-
Add pepperoni and any additional toppings you'd like.
Step 3
-
Return to the oven and bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
-
For extra golden cheese, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end. Watch carefully so it doesn't burn.
Step 4
-
Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and Italian seasoning if desired.
-
Serve immediately while the cheese is hot and melty.
