The “Upstate Classic” Garbage Bread
This version is the “Bacon-Cheeseburger” edition, providing a smoky, savory, and molten experience in every slice.
| Category | Details |
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Bake Time | 20–25 minutes |
| Total Time | 40 minutes |
| Yield | 1 Large Loaf (6 servings) |
🍴 Ingredients
- The Shell:
- 1 tube (13.8 oz) Refrigerated Pizza Dough (or 1 lb fresh dough)
- 1 Egg (beaten, for egg wash)
- The “Garbage” Filling:
- 1 lb Ground Beef (browned and drained)
- ½ lb Bacon (crisped and crumbled)
- 1 small Onion (diced and sautéed)
- The “Glue” (Cheese):
- 2 cups Sharp Cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup Mozzarella (for the “cheese pull”)
- The Seasoning:
- 1 tbsp Everything Bagel Seasoning (or Sesame seeds)
- 2 tbsp Ketchup & Mustard swirl (inside)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. The Dough Stretch
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
- On a parchment-lined baking sheet, roll out the pizza dough into a large rectangle (approx. $10 \times 14$ inches).
2. The Filling Strip
- Spread a thin layer of ketchup and mustard down the center third of the dough.
- Layer on the ground beef, bacon, onions, and both cheeses.
- The Rule of Thumbs: Leave at least 3 inches of bare dough on both long sides.
3. The Letter Fold
- Fold one long side of the dough over the meat, then the other (like you are folding a business letter). Pinch the short ends tightly to seal in the juices.
- The Flip: Carefully roll the loaf over so the seam side is down. This is the key to structural integrity.
4. The Venting & Wash
- Brush the top and sides with the egg wash. This gives it a deep, mahogany shine.
- Sprinkle with Everything Bagel seasoning.
- Use a sharp knife to cut 3 or 4 diagonal slits in the top to let steam escape.
5. The Golden Bake
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until the crust is a deep golden brown and the cheese is visibly bubbling through the slits.
- The Rest: Let it sit for 10 minutes before slicing. If you cut it hot, the “garbage” will spill out everywhere; the rest allows the cheese to “bind” the meat together.
The “Leftover” Hack: You can put anything in Garbage Bread. Have leftover Buffalo chicken? Use that with blue cheese. Leftover taco meat? Use that with jalapeños. As long as the fillings aren’t “wet” (drain any excess sauce), it will work perfectly.