Garbage Bread: Complete Recipe

This recipe transforms leftover odds and ends into a bold, crowd-pleasing favorite. Garbage Bread is essentially a large, stuffed loaf packed with savory fillings and baked until crisp and golden on the outside, warm and flavorful on the inside.

Garbage Bread

Ingredients

For the Filling

• Ground beef — 1 lb
• Diced onion — ½ cup
• Salt — ¼ teaspoon
• Black pepper — ¼ teaspoon
• Ketchup — ⅓ cup
• Mustard — 3 tablespoons
• Cooked bacon, crumbled — 6 slices
• Dill pickle spears, chopped — 2
• American cheese slices — 8

For the Bread

• Refrigerated French bread dough — 1 tube (11 oz)
• Large egg, beaten — 1
• Sesame seeds — 1 tablespoon

For Serving

• Thousand Island dressing

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Filling
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion for 8–10 minutes, breaking the meat apart as it browns. Season with salt and pepper.
Drain off any excess fat, remove the skillet from the heat, and allow the mixture to cool slightly. Stir in the ketchup, mustard, and crumbled bacon until well combined.

Step 2: Assemble the Bread
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
On a lightly floured surface, roll the French bread dough into a rectangle roughly 12×8 inches.
Spread the cooled beef mixture evenly over the dough, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges. Sprinkle the chopped pickles over the filling and layer the American cheese slices on top.
Starting from a long edge, roll the dough into a tight log. Pinch the seams and ends to seal, then place the loaf seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 3: Bake
Brush the top of the loaf with the beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and baked through.

Step 4: Serve
Allow the loaf to cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm with Thousand Island dressing on the side for dipping.