Easy Pizza-Style Focaccia Recipe with Tomato Sauce and Melted Cheese
If you’re looking for an incredibly delicious and satisfying bread that’s perfect for gatherings, this Easy Pizza-Style Focaccia with Tomato Sauce and Melted Cheese is just what you need. It’s light and airy in texture with a crispy exterior, topped with rich tomato sauce, ooey-gooey melted cheese, and your choice of savory sausage. This focaccia is not only a fantastic appetizer but also a wonderful side dish that will make everyone coming back for seconds!
Recipe Summary
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Servings: 8
- Estimated Calories: 450 per serving
Ingredients
- 450 ml warm water
- 6 g dry yeast
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 40 ml olive oil
- 500 g flour
- Olive oil, as needed for greasing
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for sauce)
- 250 ml tomato sauce
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, to taste
- 200 g cheddar cheese, grated
- Beef or turkey sausage slices, to taste
- 100 g mozzarella cheese, grated
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix warm water, dry yeast, honey, salt, and olive oil until well dissolved.
- Gradually add in the sifted flour and mix just until combined into a sticky dough.
- Lightly shape the dough, cover it, and let it rest in a warm place for 1 hour.
- Wet your hands and gently fold the dough several times. Cover and rest for another 30 minutes.
- Repeat the folding and resting process two more times at 30-minute intervals.
- In a small pan, sauté chopped garlic in olive oil for a brief moment, then add tomato sauce, oregano, parsley, salt, and basil. Mix and remove from heat.
- Grease a 30×20 cm baking dish with olive oil and transfer the dough into it. Gently stretch the dough to fit the dish and cover. Let it rest for 1 hour.
- Drizzle olive oil over the dough, oil your hands, and dimple the dough with your fingers. Spread the sauce evenly over the surface and dimple again.
- Bake at 230°C (450°F) for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, spread any remaining sauce on top, then add the cheddar cheese, sausage slices, and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake again at 230°C (450°F) for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, slice, and serve.
Why This Recipe is Popular
People love searching for this Easy Pizza-Style Focaccia because it combines the best of both worlds: classic pizza flavors in a tender, homemade focaccia. It’s a comforting dish that’s not only perfect for pizza lovers but also relaxed enough for everyday meals.
Serving Suggestions
This focaccia is delightful on its own or paired with a fresh salad for a complete meal. It also makes a great appetizer at parties, perfectly complementing your favorite dipping sauces and drinks.
Tips and Variations
- Storage: This focaccia tastes best when fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature.
- Texture: For a crustier exterior, place a shallow pan of water on the oven rack while baking.
- Flavor: Feel free to mix in your favorite herbs or spices into the dough for an extra flavor kick.
- Cheese Swap: Use a blend of your favorite cheeses for a different taste experience.
- Vegetarian Option: Omit the sausage and add extra vegetables like bell peppers or olives instead.
FAQ
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough, let it rise, and shape it. Then, refrigerate it covered for up to 24 hours before baking.
Can I freeze the focaccia?
Absolutely! After baking, let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing.
What type of flour should I use?
All-purpose flour works great for this recipe, but you can use bread flour for added chewiness.
Is this focaccia suitable for kids?
Yes! It’s a fun and tasty meal that kids will love, especially with the cheese and sausages.
Now that you have this easy recipe, I encourage you to give it a try! Your family and friends will appreciate the effort, and you might just find your new favorite dish. Happy baking!
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Easy Pizza-Style Focaccia
A delicious and satisfying bread that combines classic pizza flavors in a light and airy focaccia, topped with rich tomato sauce and melted cheese, perfect for gatherings.
Dough Ingredients
- 450 ml warm water
- 6 g dry yeast
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 40 ml olive oil (for the dough)
- 500 g flour (sifted)
- Olive oil (as needed for greasing)
Sauce Ingredients
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for sauce)
- 250 ml tomato sauce
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley
- Salt (to taste)
- Fresh basil leaves (to taste)
Toppings
- 200 g cheddar cheese, grated
- Beef or turkey sausage slices (to taste)
- 100 g mozzarella cheese, grated
Dough Preparation
- In a bowl, mix warm water, dry yeast, honey, salt, and olive oil until well dissolved.
- Gradually add in the sifted flour and mix just until combined into a sticky dough.
- Lightly shape the dough, cover it, and let it rest in a warm place for 1 hour.
- Wet your hands and gently fold the dough several times. Cover and rest for another 30 minutes.
- Repeat the folding and resting process two more times at 30-minute intervals.
Sauce Preparation
- In a small pan, sauté chopped garlic in olive oil for a brief moment, then add tomato sauce, oregano, parsley, salt, and basil. Mix and remove from heat.
Baking
- Grease a 30×20 cm baking dish with olive oil and transfer the dough into it. Gently stretch the dough to fit the dish and cover. Let it rest for 1 hour.
- Drizzle olive oil over the dough, oil your hands, and dimple the dough with your fingers. Spread the sauce evenly over the surface and dimple again.
- Bake at 230°C (450°F) for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, spread any remaining sauce on top, then add the cheddar cheese, sausage slices, and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake again at 230°C (450°F) for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, slice, and serve.
This focaccia tastes best when fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature. For a crustier exterior, place a shallow pan of water on the oven rack while baking. Feel free to mix in your favorite herbs or spices into the dough for an extra flavor kick. You can also use a blend of your favorite cheeses for a different taste experience. For a vegetarian option, omit the sausage and add extra vegetables like bell peppers or olives instead.
