Sausage Bread Recipe

Active Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

1 hr

Servings:

8

Flavored with herbs and garlic and stuffed with sausage and gooey cheese, this slice-and-share sausage bread is party food at its best. And it's a cinch to make, thanks to prepared pizza dough (look for it in the bakery section at the supermarket) and garlic-and-herb spreadable cheese (such as Boursin).

Hot or sweet Italian sausage will taste great in the filling, and you can substitute chicken or turkey sausage for the pork, if you prefer. Rolling the dough into a jelly roll shape is easy: Start on one long side and roll it up in sections, tucking in the ends as you go to keep the whole thing sealed.

When you're ready to bake, be sure to place the dough seam side down on the baking sheet. You can serve sausage bread with pesto or warmed jarred marinara sauce for dipping if you'd like, but it is also delicious all on its own—no sauce needed.

Ingredients for Sausage Bread

Store-bought pizza dough and spreadable cheese make this sausage bread a cinch to pull together. To make this deliciously savory bread, you'll need:

Sweet or hot Italian sausage: Or substitute with other sausage varieties, including breakfast sausage, turkey sausage, or chicken sausage.
Pizza dough: Store-bought pizza dough brings this bread together in minutes, but you can also use a homemade version if you prefer.
Garlic-and-herb spreadable cheese: Adds a rich texture and herbed flavor to the filling.
Pre-shredded Italian blend cheese: You can also substitute with provolone, mozzarella, Swiss, or Cheddar cheese, if preferred.
Fresh flat-leaf parsley: For a pop of color and freshness.
Unsalted butter: Brushed over the dough before baking for even browning.
Dried Italian seasoning: Sprinkled over the bread for additional flavor. You can also substitute with sesame seeds, minced garlic, or grated Parmesan cheese.

How To Make Sausage Bread

A quick stretch of the pizza dough and you're ready to fill and roll up this loaf. No one will know you took a couple of store-bought shortcuts when you pull this golden brown sausage bread from the oven. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

Step 1. Cook sausage: Cook sausage in a large skillet until browned and cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 2. Roll pizza dough: Roll or stretch pizza dough into a 13- x 9-inch rectangle.
Step 3. Add toppings to dough: Spread cheese spread over dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Top evenly with sausage, shredded cheese, and parsley. Starting on one long side, fold dough over in half and pinch edges to seal. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet, seam side down. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
Step 4. Bake bread: Bake at 425°F until golden brown, about 30 minutes, covering with foil after 20 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes, then slice and serve.

Can I Make Sausage Bread Ahead?

To make this sausage bread ahead, prepare through Step 3, but wait to brush with melted butter and sprinkle with seasoning. Instead, wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then finish and bake as directed, adding a few minutes to the bake time if needed.

You can also bake the bread in advance and reheat when ready to serve. Cool the baked bread to room temperature, then wrap and refrigerate for up to two days or freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen, then bring to room temperature and reheat in a preheated 350°F oven, covered with foil, until hot throughout before serving.

How To Store and Reheat Sausage Bread

Refrigerate leftover sausage bread in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to three days, or freeze for up to two months, ideally in slices for quick grabbing. Reheat in the microwave, toaster oven, or preheated 350°F oven, covered in foil, until hot throughout before serving.

Ways To Serve Sausage Bread

This sausage bread is equally delicious for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or as an afternoon snack as it is served up as a party appetizer. Pair with scrambled eggs and fruit salad for breakfast, serve alongside your favorite brunch dishes, with a light salad for lunch, or just toast a slice for a comforting afternoon snack.

More Party-Ready Bread Recipes You'll Love

From party appetizers to holiday sides, these pull-apart breads, swirled loaves, and flatbreads are sure to impress everyone at the table:

Ingredients

1 lb. sweet or hot Italian sausage, casings removed
1 lb. fresh prepared pizza dough, at room temperature
1 (6.5-oz.) container garlic-and-herb spreadable cheese
2 cups pre-shredded Italian blend cheese
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning

Directions

Cook sausage:

Preheat oven to 425°F. Cook sausage in a large skillet over medium-high, stirring often with a wooden spoon to break into small pieces, until sausage is browned and thoroughly cooked, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove sausage to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
Roll pizza dough:

Roll or stretch pizza dough into a 13- x 9-inch rectangle on a large piece of parchment paper or work surface. (If dough is too elastic, allow to stand at room temperature 10 to 15 minutes.)
Add toppings to dough:

Spoon cheese spread onto prepared dough rectangle, and spread in an even layer over top, leaving a 1/2-inch border around all edges. Top cheese spread layer with an even layer of crumbled sausage, shredded cheese, and parsley. Starting at 1 long side, fold dough over in half so long ends meet, pinching edges together to seal. Place filled dough roll on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, seam side down. Brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
Bake bread:

Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes, covering with aluminum foil after 20 minutes to prevent excessive browning. Let stand on pan 10 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board, and cut bread using a bread knife.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen bread dough instead of pizza dough for sausage bread?

For a fluffier result, feel free to swap the pizza dough for thawed frozen bread dough. Note that the baking time may need adjusting.
What else can I add to sausage bread?

The sky is the limit when it comes to this bread. Feel free to add herbs or veggies, including sautéed spinach, red bell peppers, mushrooms, and more to the filling when assembling the loaf.
Does sausage bread freeze well?

This sausage bread freezes well for up to three months in an airtight container or freezer-safe zip-top bag. Consider freezing in slices for quick grabbing. Warm in the oven until heated through before serving.