Italian Party Bread – A Show-Stopping Pull-Apart Delight
This Italian Party Bread is a cheesy, herbed pull-apart loaf filled with delicious Italian ingredients like mozzarella, pepperoni, and fresh herbs. Perfect for sharing, it’s warm, golden, and bursting with flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 large round Italian or sourdough bread loaf
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup sliced pepperoni or salami
- ¼ cup sliced black olives
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Using a serrated knife, make diagonal cuts across the bread about 1 inch apart, without cutting all the way through.
- Turn the loaf and repeat in the opposite direction to create a crosshatch pattern.
- In a bowl, mix melted butter, olive oil, garlic, oregano, and basil.
- Gently separate the bread cuts and drizzle the butter mixture evenly throughout.
- Stuff the cheese, pepperoni, and olives into the bread cracks.
- Wrap the loaf loosely in foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Use a round, crusty loaf for the best structure.
- You can substitute pepperoni with chopped ham or bacon.
- Add roasted bell peppers for extra flavour.
- Use a blend of cheeses for richer taste—mozzarella, provolone, or fontina.
- Serve immediately for the best melty texture.