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    Home » Appetizers

    Italian Pull Apart Bread

    Modified: May 12, 2025 · Published: Mar 4, 2016 by Vicky · 18 Comments · Post contains affiliate links

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    Easy bread recipes are the best! If you are looking for some comfort food - try this Italian Pull Apart Bread. This simple recipe is always a crowd pleaser and it pairs perfectly with our Eggplant Parmesan Without Frying.

    Thank you to ConAgra Foods for sponsoring this Italian Pull Apart Bread recipe. All opinions are 100% my own.

    Italian Pull Apart Bread. This simple recipe is always a crowd pleaser. Filled with sun ripe tomatoes and gooey cheese, it doesn't get any better! sponsored

    If you are entertaining friends then you'll be looking for some party appetizer ideas to make that won't keep you in the kicthen for hours. This Italian Pull Apart Bread is one such recipe. You can even do all the prep work hours before and then just pop it in the oven when your guests arrive. I love to serve this bread when friends come over to group watch our favorite shows. Watching TV with a group is such a fun experience, with everyone offering up their theroies and opinions. Plus when the weather is nasty, there is nothing better than gathering with friends in front of a roaring fire while snacking and watching good TV.

    Italian Pull Apart Bread

    To make this Italian Pull Apart Bread I used a round sourdough loaf. It might seem a bit odd to combine sourdough with Italian flavors, but trust me it works. You can also make this with any other type of round loaf.

    To start, you'll need to cut a checkerboard pattern into the round loaf, making sure to cut almost to the bottom of the loaf but not cutting all the way through. Once this is done, you'll pour melted butter over the loaf.

    Italian Pull Apart Bread

    Now it's time to stuff the bread with the mozzarella, Hunt's Petite Diced Tomatoes and sun dried tomatoes. Be sure to thoroughly drain the Hunt's Petite Diced Tomatoes before using them. You will get your hands dirty on this step. If you have kids who like to play with their food, stuffing the bread may be just the job for them. Hunt's Petite Diced Tomatoes are perfect to use in this Italian Pull Apart Bread since they are already cut into small pieces. Hunt's juicy, red California tomatoes are picked at the peak of ripeness for an all-natural, fresh taste. They are the perfect ingredient to use in many recipes that call for tomatoes.

    cheesy pull apart bread

    The easiest way I have found to stuff the bread is to do it one ingredient at a time. First, I stuffed the tomatoes into all the cuts I made in the bread. Then I added the cheese and the sun dried tomatoes. Finally I sprinkled some Italian seasoning on top.

    pull apart bread recipe

    That is all the prep that is involved! Now all that is left to do is wrap the bread and pop it in the oven. Spray a length of foil with PAM Cooking Spray and wrap the bread with the foil, making sure to cover the loaf completely.

    pull apart bread recipes

    foil wrapped bread

    You'll bake the loaf for 20 minutes at 350 degrees then unwrap it and bake it for another 10 minutes.

    Italian Pull Apart Bread

    When it comes out of the oven, it will be this cheesy, crusty thing of beauty.

    easy pull apart bread recipes

     You'll want to serve this to your guests while it is still warm and the mozzarella is at its gooiest.

    Italian Pull Apart Bread

    This Italian Pull Apart Bread is the perfect thing to serve next time you host a TV viewing party during this Hibernation Season. It is warm, comforting, and simple to make.

    Italian pull apart bread recipe

    FAQs For Italian Pull-Apart Bread

    What kind of bread should I use?

    A round sourdough loaf or any crusty artisan-style bread works best. You want something sturdy with a good chew so it holds up to all the melty, cheesy goodness.

    Can I make this ahead of time?

    Yes! You can assemble the bread (slice, stuff, and butter it), then wrap it up and store it in the fridge for a few hours before baking. Just pop it in the oven when you're ready to serve.

    Can I add meat to this?

    Absolutely! Chopped pepperoni, crumbled cooked sausage, or even bits of prosciutto would be delicious tucked into the slices along with the cheese.

    📖 Recipe

    Italian Pull Apart Bread

    Vicky
    This simple recipe is always a crowd pleaser. Filled with sun ripe tomatoes and gooey cheese, it doesn't get any better! 
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 45 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 12
    Calories 173 kcal

    Video

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 round loaf of sourdough bread
    • 4 tbs butter
    • 1 can Hunt's Petite Diced Tomatoes drained
    • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
    • 2 tbs minced sun dried tomatoes
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • PAM Cooking Spray

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • Cut the round loaf of bread into a checkerboard pattern, cutting almost to the bottom of the loaf, but leaving the bottom intact.
    • Melt butter and pour over bread, getting it in all the crevices.
    • Stuff the bread with the mozzarella, Hunt's Petite Diced Tomatoes and sun dried tomatoes, making sure to get into all the cuts.
    • Sprinkle Italian seasoning on top of the loaf.
    • Spray a length of aluminum foil with PAM Cooking Spray, Make sure the foil is long enough to wrap around the bread.
    • Wrap bread and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
    • Unwrap and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
    • Serve while warm.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 173kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 6gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 288mgPotassium: 83mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 190IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 68mgIron: 1.5mg
    Keyword italian pull apart bread
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Comments

      5 from 5 votes (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Rose Sahetapy says

      March 05, 2016 at 7:06 am

      I like how simple it is to prepare it, and it looks so yum. Tthanks for this recipe, now I know what to prepare when I don't really feel to cook.

      Reply
    2. jill conyers says

      March 05, 2016 at 12:47 am

      This is brilliant. I wonder if I can find a gluten free sourdough. I've never looked for one but I'm sure somebody makes one. If not I can still make it for the family.

      Reply
    3. laura londergan says

      March 04, 2016 at 10:02 pm

      5 stars
      oh my yum! This looks like it is so good. This is one of those recipes that will certainly be a new fave for me - thanks for sharing!!

      Reply
    4. Siniciliya says

      March 04, 2016 at 9:18 pm

      5 stars
      It is so easy to make and looks really delicious! WOuld love to have it for the breakfast
      http://www.siniciliya.com

      Reply
    5. Amber NElson says

      March 04, 2016 at 5:15 pm

      That looks super good! I would love to try this for my family here. I bet they would love it!

      Reply
    6. Fatima says

      March 04, 2016 at 4:52 pm

      My uncle would make this every Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone would dig in and take a piece of this cheesy goodness.

      Reply
    7. Kait says

      March 04, 2016 at 12:21 pm

      OMG! This is mouthwatering!! My husband especially would love this, because he is a pizza fanatic! Bookmarking this for sure! Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply
    8. Roxanne says

      March 04, 2016 at 11:27 am

      This looks like a really great recipe to take to a pot luck! Easy and fast! The way I like my food! lol

      Reply
    9. Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma) says

      March 04, 2016 at 11:09 am

      Wowzers that looks really good! It also looks like it was be a blast to eat! YUMMO

      Reply
    10. Megan McCoig says

      March 04, 2016 at 10:52 am

      Omg I would love this. Such a great recipe. I always see this over Instagram, and now I know how to make it! Thanks 🙂

      Reply
    Newer Comments »
    Vicky from Mess for Less

    I'm Vicky, the founder of Mess For Less, which I started in 2011 to share easy, family-friendly recipes. With over a decade of experience as a home chef and recipe developer, I love creating meals that bring people together. I also design play and learning activities for kids, using my background as a former teacher with a Master’s degree in education. Learn more about me.

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