Easy Cheesy Garbage Bread Recipe: A Fun Twist on Comfort Food

Packed with savory ingredients, garbage bread offers a delightful twist on classic comfort food that surprises hungry appetites.

Layers of melted cheese, crispy meats, and soft dough create an irresistible combination.

Culinary adventurers appreciate how simple ingredients come together in this crowd-pleasing dish.

Weekend gatherings become more exciting when you slice into this hearty rolled creation.

Unexpected flavors merge seamlessly within each bite-sized portion.

Home cooks can easily master this straightforward recipe that impresses without complicated techniques.

FAQs for Garbage Bread

• Why is it called Garbage Bread?

The name comes from throwing together random ingredients like a “garbage” mix, creating a delicious stuffed bread with all your favorite burger-style ingredients.

• Can I use different meat?

Absolutely! Ground turkey, sausage, or even plant-based meat crumbles work great as substitutes for ground beef.

• How do I prevent the bread from getting soggy?

Drain the beef mixture completely and let it cool before spreading on the dough to avoid excess moisture that could make the bread soggy.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Yes, kids love this dish because it’s like a fun, handheld burger wrapped in bread with all their favorite flavors combined.

Why Garbage Bread Is a Savory Favorite

• Create Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: This Garbage Bread transforms classic burger flavors into a shareable, delicious meal that satisfies everyone's cravings.
• Master a Simple Cooking Technique: Rolling and filling dough becomes a fun cooking adventure that even beginners can conquer with minimal kitchen skills.
• Perfect for Casual Gatherings: Ideal for game day parties, potlucks, or family movie nights where people want a hearty, finger-friendly dish that brings everyone together.
• Customize with Flexible Ingredients: Easily swap or add ingredients like different cheeses, meats, or seasonings to match personal taste preferences and make the recipe your own.

Ingredients Needed for Garbage Bread

• Ground Beef: A flavorful and hearty base for the filling that provides rich meaty taste.
• Bacon: Adds a crispy, smoky element to enhance the overall flavor profile.

• French Bread Dough: A soft and flexible base that wraps around the savory filling.
• American Cheese Slices: Provides a creamy, melty texture that complements the meat.

• Onion, Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings that boost the beef's natural flavors.
• Ketchup, Mustard: Tangy condiments that add depth and zest to the filling.
• Dill Pickles: Introduces a sharp, crisp contrast to the rich meat mixture.

• Egg, Sesame Seeds: Creates a golden, glossy crust with a nutty texture.
• Thousand Island Dressing: A complementary dipping sauce that adds extra tang.

How to Bake Garbage Bread

Step 1: Brown The Beef And Onions

• Ground beef
• Diced onions

Cook until beef transforms into golden crumbles and onions soften, around 8-10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Drain any extra fat from the skillet and let the mixture cool briefly.

Step 2: Mix Flavor Enhancers

• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Crumbled bacon

Blend everything thoroughly until ingredients are completely combined.

Step 3: Prepare Dough Surface

Warm your oven to 375°F. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease lightly. Dust a clean countertop with flour. Unroll the French bread dough and stretch into a wide rectangle.

Step 4: Layer Delicious Ingredients

• Chopped dill pickles
• American cheese slices

Ensure even coverage over the entire surface.

Step 5: Roll And Shape

Start from one long side, carefully roll the dough into a tight cylinder. Pinch edges and ends to seal completely. Position the roll seam-side down on prepared baking sheet.

Step 6: Add Final Touches

Brush the bread’s exterior with beaten egg. Sprinkle sesame seeds across the top for extra crunch and flavor.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until bread turns golden brown and looks fully cooked.

Step 8: Serve And Enjoy

Let the Garbage Bread rest for a few minutes. Slice and serve warm. Place Thousand Island dressing in a side dish for dipping.

Pro Tips for Garbage Bread

• Drain Excess Fat: Remove all grease from the skillet after cooking beef to prevent a soggy or oily final dish.
• Seal Edges Carefully: Pinch the dough seams tightly to prevent filling from leaking during baking and maintain a neat appearance.
• Choose Quality Ingredients: Use fresh ground beef and crispy bacon for maximum flavor and texture in the filling.
• Egg Wash Magic: Brush beaten egg on top to create a golden, shiny crust that adds beautiful color and slight crunch.
• Monitor Baking Time: Check the bread at 25 minutes to prevent overcooking; every oven varies slightly in temperature and performance.

Variation Suggestions for Garbage Bread

• Low-Carb Lettuce Wrap Version: Replace bread dough with large lettuce leaves, creating a keto-friendly alternative with same delicious beef filling.
• Vegetarian Black Bean Swap: Substitute ground beef with seasoned black beans and plant-based cheese for a meat-free protein-packed option.
• Gluten-Free Potato Dough Wrap: Use gluten-free potato dough or cauliflower crust as a base, maintaining the recipe's core flavor profile while accommodating wheat-sensitive diets.
• Mediterranean Fusion Style: Replace American cheese with feta, swap beef for lamb, and add Mediterranean herbs like oregano and thyme for an international flavor transformation.

Pairing Recommendations for Garbage Bread

• Flavor-Boosting Dipping Sauces: Pair the Garbage Bread with zesty Thousand Island dressing, tangy BBQ sauce, or spicy sriracha mayo for an extra flavor punch that complements the rich beef and bacon filling.
• Refreshing Drink Companions: Grab an ice-cold beer like a crisp lager or hoppy IPA to cut through the richness of the meat and cheese, creating a perfect balance of flavors that enhance the overall meal experience.
• Crisp Side Salad Pairing: Toss together a light mixed green salad with vinaigrette dressing to provide a fresh, acidic contrast to the hearty Garbage Bread, balancing the meal's heavy components and adding nutritional variety.

Storage Tips for Garbage Bread

• Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
• Slice the bread before freezing for easier portioning. Wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months to maintain best quality and taste.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Wrap bread in aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through, checking occasionally to avoid burning.
• Place a slice on a microwave-safe plate. Heat for 30-45 seconds, stopping halfway to rotate.

Garbage Bread Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Indulgent Garbage Bread rolls classic Italian-American comfort cuisine into one irresistible handheld delight. Packed with savory meats, melted cheeses, and zesty seasonings, this crowd-pleasing dish delivers maximum flavor in every satisfying slice you’ll want to devour.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef

Cheese and Bacon:

• 8 slices American cheese
• 6 slices cooked and crumbled bacon or store-bought bacon pieces

Bread and Additional Ingredients:

• 11-ounce (312 grams) tube refrigerated French bread dough
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) diced onion
• 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) ketchup
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) mustard
• 2 dill pickle spears, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 grams) salt
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 grams) pepper
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) sesame seeds
• Thousand Island dressing for dipping

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. In a skillet over medium heat, sauté ground beef and onions until meat browns and onions soften, approximately 8-10 minutes. Crumble meat during cooking and season with salt and pepper.
2. Drain excess fat from skillet and let mixture cool slightly. Incorporate ketchup, mustard, and crumbled bacon into beef mixture, ensuring thorough blending.
3. Preheat oven to 375F. Prepare baking sheet with parchment paper or light grease.
4. Roll out French bread dough into rectangular shape on floured surface, maintaining approximately 12×8 inch dimensions.
5. Distribute beef mixture evenly across dough, maintaining 1-inch border around edges.
6. Scatter chopped dill pickles uniformly over beef mixture. Layer American cheese slices to completely cover beef and pickles.
7. Carefully roll dough into compact log, starting from longest side. Firmly seal edges and ends to prevent filling from escaping.
8. Position rolled bread seam-side down on prepared baking sheet.
9. Brush exterior with beaten egg and sprinkle sesame seeds for enhanced flavor and appearance.
10. Bake for 25-30 minutes until bread achieves golden-brown coloration and appears fully cooked.
11. Allow bread to rest briefly after removing from oven. Slice and serve warm, accompanied by Thousand Island dressing for optional dipping.

Notes

• Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a lighter filling that won’t make the bread soggy.
• Drain the beef thoroughly after cooking to prevent grease from seeping into the dough and making it heavy.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like cheddar or Swiss for unique flavor profiles that complement the beef.
• Customize the recipe for gluten-free diets by using gluten-free bread dough and checking all ingredient labels carefully.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 414 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 1020 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg