How many pizza boats does one loaf make?

One 16-ounce Italian loaf is split lengthwise to make 2 large pizza boats.

How many pepperoni slices go on each boat?

Use 9 on each boat, for exactly 18 slices total.

How long do the pizza boats bake?

Bake them at 450°F for 10–12 minutes, then rest 2–3 minutes.

Can ground beef replace the turkey?

Yes. Ground beef or Italian sausage can replace the turkey; cook fully and drain excess fat before adding sauce.

Pizza Boats

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Homemade pizza boats beat frozen every time! Italian bread hollowed out and filled with turkey sauce, cheese, and pepperoni. Ready in 22 minutes.

Tags: #quick-recipes #beef #sausage #pasta #cheese

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By Clare Greco

Updated on Sat, 28 Jun 2025 09:52:13 GMT

Pizza Boats turn one Italian loaf into two generous, crisp-edged carriers for seasoned turkey sauce, melted pizza cheese, and pepperoni. Hollowing the bread creates space for the filling while raised edges keep the sauce contained.

The recipe serves 5 and yields 2 large pizza boats. Preparation takes 10 minutes, cooking takes 12 minutes, and the listed total is 22 minutes, followed by a short 2–3 minute rest before slicing.

Pizza Boats Ingredients

Italian bread, olive oil, ground turkey, pasta sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, pizza cheese, and eighteen pepperoni slices | Recipes by Clare

Use one 16-ounce Italian bread loaf and 1 tablespoon olive oil. The turkey sauce needs 16 ounces 99%-fat-free ground turkey breast, one 24-ounce jar pasta sauce, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and ½ teaspoon salt.

Finish the boats with 8 ounces shredded pizza cheese blend and exactly 18 pepperoni slices. Keeping this short ingredient list measured makes the two halves equally filled and easy to portion.

If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like Stuffed Crust Pepperoni Pizza.

How to Make Pizza Boats

Four stages showing two hollow bread halves, turkey sauce, two boats with nine pepperoni slices each, and two baked boats | Recipes by Clare

Heat the oven to 450°F and line a large sheet pan with parchment.
Cut the loaf lengthwise into 2 halves. Scoop out some center bread, then press the remaining crumb down while keeping higher edges.
Heat olive oil over medium-high. Cook the turkey, breaking it small, with Italian seasoning and salt.
When no pink remains, add the 24-ounce pasta sauce and simmer 3–4 minutes.
Put the bread halves on the pan and spread about 1 cup turkey sauce into each.
Top each with about 1 cup cheese and 9 pepperoni slices.
Bake 10–12 minutes, rest 2–3, slice, and serve.

For food-safety guidance while cooking, use the USDA safe minimum temperature chart.

Prepare the Oven and Sheet Pan

Cut One Loaf into Two Boats

Press the Remaining Crumb Down

Cook Lean Ground Turkey Completely

Simmer the Turkey Sauce

Measure Sauce into Both Halves

Divide Eight Ounces of Cheese

Use Exactly Eighteen Pepperoni Slices

Bake Until Bubbly and Golden

Two finished pizza boats with turkey sauce, melted cheese, and pepperoni | recipesbyclare.com

Rest Before Slicing

Substitutions and Storage

Avoid Soggy Pizza Boats

Conclusion

At 450°F, halve and hollow one 16-ounce Italian loaf. Cook 16 ounces ground turkey in 1 tablespoon olive oil with Italian seasoning and salt, add 24 ounces pasta sauce, and simmer 3–4 minutes. Fill each bread half with about 1 cup turkey sauce and 1 cup cheese, add exactly 9 pepperoni slices per boat, and bake 10–12 minutes. Rest 2–3 minutes and serve 5.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How many pizza boats does one loaf make?: One 16-ounce Italian loaf is split lengthwise to make 2 large pizza boats.
→ How many pepperoni slices go on each boat?: Use 9 on each boat, for exactly 18 slices total.
→ How long do the pizza boats bake?: Bake them at 450°F for 10–12 minutes, then rest 2–3 minutes.
→ Can ground beef replace the turkey?: Yes. Ground beef or Italian sausage can replace the turkey; cook fully and drain excess fat before adding sauce.

4.60 from 189 votes

Pizza Boats

Preparation Time:: 10 Minutes
Cook Time:: 12 Minutes
Total Cooking Time:: 22 Minutes
Number of Servings:: 5

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Better than frozen! Italian bread boats filled with turkey sauce, melted cheese, and pepperoni. Quick and delicious family dinner.

Ingredients You'll Need

Bread Base
1 (16 oz) Italian bread loaf
1 tablespoon olive oil
Turkey Sauce
16 oz ground turkey breast, 99% fat-free
24 oz jar pasta sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
Pizza Toppings
8 oz shredded pizza cheese blend
18 slices pepperoni

How to Make It

1. Prep Oven and Pan: Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

2. Prepare Bread Boats: Cut the Italian bread loaf in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out some of the bread from the center of each half, creating a shallow well. Press down the remaining bread with the back of a spoon, leaving slightly higher edges to contain the toppings.

3. Cook the Turkey: Heat olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up into small pieces with a spoon. Season with Italian seasoning and salt as it cooks.

4. Make Turkey Sauce: Once turkey is fully cooked and no longer pink, pour in the jar of pasta sauce. Stir well and let simmer for 3-4 minutes until heated through and slightly thickened.

5. Assemble Pizza Boats: Place bread halves on the prepared sheet pan. Spread about 1 cup of the turkey sauce mixture evenly over each bread half, filling the hollowed-out areas.

6. Add Cheese and Pepperoni: Top each pizza boat with 1 cup of shredded cheese, spreading it evenly. Arrange pepperoni slices evenly over the cheese on both boats.

7. Bake Until Melted: Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly, and the bread edges are golden brown.

8. Slice and Serve: Remove from oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes. Slice each boat into portions and serve with any remaining turkey sauce for dipping.