Ingredients
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Proteins: ½ lb lean ground beef, 2 oz thin-sliced pepperoni.
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Dough: 1 tube (13.8 oz) refrigerated pizza dough.
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Cheeses: 4 slices provolone, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 2 tbsp grated Parmesan.
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Sauce: 1 jar pizza sauce (divided).
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Seasoning & Finishing: ½ tsp dried oregano (divided), ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp kosher salt, 2 tbsp melted butter.
Instructions
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Brown the Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with ¼ tsp oregano, garlic powder, and salt until browned. Drain grease.
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Mix: Once slightly cooled, stir ⅓ cup of the pizza sauce into the beef.
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Prep Dough: Preheat oven to 400°F. Unroll the dough onto a baking sheet.
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Layer: Spread ½ cup of pizza sauce down the center third of the dough. Layer with provolone slices, pepperoni, the beef mixture, and shredded mozzarella.
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Braid: Cut 1-inch strips along both sides of the dough toward the filling. Fold the strips over the meat mixture at an angle, alternating sides to create a braided look.
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Season: Brush the top with melted butter. Sprinkle with Parmesan and the remaining ⅛ tsp oregano.
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Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes until the crust is golden brown.
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Serve: Heat the remaining pizza sauce in a bowl and serve alongside the sliced bread for dipping.
Notes
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Soggy Bottom Fix: If you’re worried about the bottom crust getting soft, preheat your baking sheet in the oven for 5 minutes before carefully unrolling the dough onto it.
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Veggie Addition: This recipe is “meat lovers,” but a few sautéed mushrooms or black olives tucked inside would add a nice texture.
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Dough Tip: Ensure the ground beef has cooled slightly before adding it to the dough; if it’s steaming hot, it may cause the dough to tear or become sticky.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American