15-Minute French Bread Pizza Recipe

Pizza is a comfort food favorite, and it doesn't have to be so complicated to make! While many recipes call for a homemade dough, which requires a long resting time and therefore no small amount of advance planning, this tasty meal from recipe developer Jaime Shelbert of Wholly Nourished gives you all the flavors of a classic pizza with none of the fuss.

Instead of a traditional pizza base, Shelbert builds this pizza on a delicious French baguette. With its crunchy crust and lovely natural holes to collect all of that sauce and cheesy goodness, it's a great way to cut the prep time and forge the way to an easy and delicious dinnertime option the entire family will enjoy.

"I wanted to be able to create a quick, easy weeknight meal," says Shelbert. "My kids like pizza, and this is a healthier option than takeout. Plus, it is so easy, that they can help make it!"

The ingredients list for this easy French bread pizza is really short. You'll need to gather four base ingredients, plus the toppings. For the "crust," Shelbert calls for a sturdy French baguette, but if you want something a bit softer, you could easily opt for French bread as well, which will get crisper and toastier as it bakes.

The pizza is topped with pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella, and just a teaspoon of aromatic oregano. Then, all you need are your toppings of choice. In this version of the recipe, Shelbert opts for arugula, olive oil, and red pepper flakes.

The first step in making this easy French bread pizza recipe is to preheat the oven. 375 F will do the trick, and while you're at it, line a baking sheet with parchment paper to keep it nice and clean during the cooking process.

Then, turn your attention to the baguette. You're going to need to cut it into four equal pieces. To do so, simply cut it in half, and then cut each half into two lengthwise halves. Place each of the pieces face up on the baking sheet, as you'll build your pizzas directly on it.

Next, carefully spread the pizza sauce onto the baguette quarters. Shelbert prefers pizza sauce over classic tomato or marinara sauce, as it's "a little thicker and won't make the bread soggy." 

Atop the sauce layer, sprinkle an even layer of cheese — either mozzarella or an Italian blend — followed by the oregano and any additional toppings that need to be baked, like pepperoni or vegetables. "Any favorite pizza toppings work here," says Shelbert. "Pepperoni, peppers, onions, black olives — you name it!"

This can be a really fun way for the kids to lend a hand in this recipe, decorating their own easy French bread pizza with their favorite toppings.

Now that the easy French bread pizzas have been dressed, it's time to bake them! Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven, and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are crispy and the cheese has melted perfectly.

Remove the pizzas from the oven, and top them with any additional toppings, such as red pepper flakes or delicate arugula drizzled with a touch of extra-virgin olive oil. At this point, you could also add truffle oil or even some honey for a sweet finishing touch.

Once the last toppings have been added, all that's left to do is dig in and enjoy!