Ground beef, bacon, Velveeta, cheddar cheese, and pizza dough combine to make the ultimate Garbage Bread Recipe. Comfort food at its finest!
You ever just have one of those days where you’re staring into the fridge like it owes you money? I was having one of those days. The kids were in full “I’m starving, Mom!” mode, and I had all the energy of a wet paper towel. And let’s be real, grocery shopping was not happening.
So, I went rummaging through the fridge, hoping to piece together something that wouldn’t get me side-eyed at the dinner table. What did I find? A half-used pack of ground beef, leftover bacon from breakfast (if it even lasts that long, which is a miracle), Velveeta looking all sad and neglected, and some shredded cheddar. Oh, and pizza dough I’d shoved in the back of the fridge because of some pizza night that never actually happened.
The result? Pure, glorious, cheesy comfort. The kind of comfort food that practically begs you to make it a tradition. We ended up calling it “Garbage Bread” because, honestly, it was like a last-minute kitchen dumpster dive. But let me tell you—everyone loved it. And not just “I guess this is fine” loved it. I’m talking about the kind of love where they’re fighting over the last slice. Yep, it’s that good.
Why You’ll Love This Garbage Bread Recipe?
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Ridiculously Easy: No fancy steps or techniques here. If you can brown beef and roll dough, you’re golden.
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Crazy Customizable: Got leftover chicken? Sausage? Toss it in. Feel like adding jalapeños? Go for it.
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Perfect for Sharing: Or hoarding. I won’t judge. But seriously, it’s great for game nights, lazy dinners, or impressing a crowd.
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Cheese Overload: Velveeta and cheddar team up to make the gooey, melty goodness dreams are made of.
Ingredient Notes:
This Garbage Bread Recipe is all about using what you’ve got. But here’s why these ingredients work so well:
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Ground Beef (1.5 lbs): This is your hearty base. It soaks up all those flavors like a champ. Sausage works well too if you want a spicier kick.
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Bacon (¾ cup, cooked and chopped): Bacon. Need I say more? Adds crunch, smokiness, and that irresistible flavor only bacon can bring.
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Hamburger Seasoning (1.5 tbsp): Adds that savory, grilled burger taste even if you’re just cooking ground beef.
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Worcestershire Sauce (1.5 tbsp): Tangy, slightly sweet, and totally necessary. It deepens the flavor of the beef.
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Velveeta Cheese (12 oz, cubed): Yes, Velveeta. Don’t give me that side-eye. It melts like a dream and makes everything creamy.
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Cheddar Cheese (2¼ cups, shredded): Adds a sharpness to balance the Velveeta. Plus, it gives that perfect melty, cheesy pull.
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Pizza Dough (1.5 cans, about 20.7 oz total): Store-bought, homemade, whatever you have. It’s the delivery system for all the deliciousness.
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Everything Bagel Seasoning: Adds crunch and flavor. Plus, it makes the whole thing look kinda fancy.
How To Make Garbage Bread?
I swear, you’re gonna feel like a kitchen genius after making this. And it’s so easy.
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Heat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to avoid that crust-welded-to-the-pan disaster.
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Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef
Brown your ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir it occasionally until it’s cooked through—no pink bits. Drain the grease because nobody wants soggy bread.
Step 3: Mix the Filling
In a big bowl, mix together the cooked beef, bacon, hamburger seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and Velveeta. Give it a good stir until the cheese starts melting into all that meaty goodness.
Step 4: Roll Out Your Dough
Spread your pizza dough on a clean, floured surface into a rectangle. Something like 15×10 inches. Spread your filling over the dough, leaving a little edge so it doesn’t all spill out when you roll it. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top like you’re throwing a mini cheese parade.
Step 5: Roll It Up
Roll that dough from the long side, jelly-roll style. Don’t worry if it looks a little rough—rustic is a vibe. Place it seam-side down on the baking sheet.
Step 6: Bake It Up
Sprinkle the top with everything bagel seasoning because why not? Pop it in the oven for 18–20 minutes or until it’s golden brown and smells like heaven.
Step 7: Cool and Slice
Let it cool for about 10 minutes. It’s hard to wait, but trust me—it’s worth it for clean slices. Then, dig in!
Storage Options:
So, you actually have leftovers? Impressive. Just toss them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you want to reheat, use the oven or air fryer to get that crispy crust back. The microwave works, but it’ll make the bread soft. And who wants that?
Variations and Substitutions:
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Spicy Kick: Throw in jalapeños or drizzle some hot sauce over the filling.
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Cheese Swap: Mozzarella, provolone, or pepper jack. Whatever you’re feeling.
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Breakfast Bread: Swap the beef for sausage and toss in some scrambled eggs. Breakfast Garbage Bread, anyone?
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Veggie Style: Mushrooms, bell peppers, onions—whatever you’ve got.
What to Serve with Garbage Bread?
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Dips: Ranch, marinara, BBQ sauce… whatever you love.
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Salads: Something light and fresh like a simple green salad to balance things out.
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Drinks: Ice-cold soda or a beer—this is comfort food, after all.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this ahead of time?
Totally. Prep it, wrap it, and toss it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.
Can I freeze it?
Yep! Just wrap it well and freeze it. Reheat in the oven for best results.
What if I don’t have Velveeta?
You can use shredded cheese, but Velveeta gives it that creamy, melty texture you just can’t beat.
So, are you ready to make your own Garbage Bread? Go ahead, raid your fridge and throw it all together. You’re gonna love it. And if you end up eating half of it in one sitting… well, I won’t judge.
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Garbage Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds of Ground Beef
- ¾ cup Bacon cooked and chopped
- 1.5 Tablespoons McCormick Grill Mates Hamburger Seasoning
- 1.5 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 12 ounces Velveeta Cheese cubed
- 2¼ cups Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 1.5 cans approximately 20.7 ounces in total Pizza Dough
Instructions
- Preheating the Oven: Begin by setting your oven to a temperature of 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius). Prepare a large baking sheet (or two if needed) by lining it with parchment paper.
- Cooking the Ground Beef: In a larger skillet than originally suggested, cook 1.5 pounds of ground beef over medium-high heat until it is fully browned and no longer pink. Be sure to stir frequently for even cooking. After cooking, drain off any excess grease.
- Combining Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ground beef, ¾ cup of chopped bacon, 1.5 tablespoons of hamburger seasoning, 1.5 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, and 12 ounces of cubed Velveeta cheese. Stir the mixture until the cheese starts to melt and the ingredients are well combined.
- Preparing the Dough: If using one large piece of dough, roll out the pizza dough on a clean, flat surface into a rectangle shape, slightly larger than 15x10 inches to accommodate the increased filling. Alternatively, use two separate pieces of dough, dividing the ingredients evenly between them. Spread the beef and cheese mixture evenly over the dough(s), leaving a small margin at the edges. Then sprinkle 2¼ cups of shredded cheddar cheese over the mixture.
- Rolling the Dough: Carefully roll the dough from the longer side, similar to forming a jelly roll. If using two pieces of dough, do this for each piece separately. Ensure that the edges are securely pinched together to seal in the filling.
- Baking: Place the rolled dough seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet(s). If making two loaves, ensure they are spaced apart. Sprinkle the top with everything bagel seasoning. Bake in the preheated oven for about 18-20 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and cooked through. The larger size may require a slightly longer baking time.
- Cooling and Serving: Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the bread to cool for about 10 minutes. This will make slicing easier. Cut the bread into slices and serve warm.
Notes
Gluten-Free Variation for Garbage Bread Recipe
- Replace Pizza Dough: Use a gluten-free pizza dough.
- Check Seasonings: Ensure the hamburger seasoning and Worcestershire sauce are gluten-free.
- Verify Cheese: Confirm Velveeta and cheddar cheese are gluten-free.
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
