Pepperoni Pull-Apart Bread

Ingredients

1 oval Italian bread loaf
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 pkg (4 oz) Fiorucci 100% Natural Pepperoni, sliced into strips
1/3 cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
Pinch each salt and pepper
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups marinara sauce, warmed

Directions

Prep time: 10 minutes |  Cook time: 20 minutes

Preheat oven to 400˚F. Cut 1 1/2-inch slits widthwise to create crisscross pattern, cutting through edges to bottom, but keeping loaf intact without cutting all the way through bottom crust. (This will also form bread cubes to pull apart.)

Fill slits with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. Whisk together olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper; brush over bread and into slits. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Transfer to parchment paper–lined baking sheet; bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and bread is toasted. Serve with marinara sauce for dipping.

Tip: Add a pinch of hot pepper flakes to olive oil mixture for a spicy addition.