Sourdough Pizza Loaf

If you love pizza like I do, then you’ve got to try this traditional sourdough al taglio pizza recipe that my son helped me perfect. And then once you’ve had the actual thing, you can gorge yourself on this pizza loaf, that is every bit as satisfying and a super simple dough to whip up.

Sourdough Pizza Loaf

A sourdough pizza loaf is exactly what it sounds like- a delicious sourdough crust with a meat and olive filling, topped off with a cheesy tomato sauce. In some ways, it’s like a homemade pizza pocket or calzone. I call it a sourdough pizza loaf because that’s what my mom called it growing up. Well, minus the sourdough part! She made a traditional yeast bread, but I definitely feel better after eating the sourdough version!

This sourdough pizza loaf is super satisfying, and goes great with all your traditional pizza sides. You can also switch up the fillings, and include things like salami, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, artichokes, (dare I say pineapple?), you name it! Think of it like a pizza with the toppings on the inside. Whatever you like on your pizza will be delicious here.

Ingredients

Get ready, there is quite a list for this sourdough pizza loaf. Don’t let it overwhelm you! The ingredients for the bread are what you would expect- the simple mix of starter, flour, water, and salt. The lengthy list comes from the filling and sauce. The good part about that is, you can make the filling and sauce however you like! You could even use pre prepared sauce and a seasoning packet for the meat. 

Sourdough Loaf

• Starter: Make sure your starter is active and bubbly for best results by feeding it 6-12 hours before making the sourdough pizza loaf.
• Water: The yeasts in sourdough starter are sensitive to things like chlorine, so make sure you are using spring water, or well water.
• Flour: All purpose is best for this recipe.
• Salt: I prefer sea salt.

Meat Filling

• Ground Beef: I prefer lean ground beef, but any percentage will work.
• Onions: Diced.
• Tomato Sauce: Two 8 oz cans of tomato sauce.
• Paprika: This is a personal preference, I think it brings out a lot of flavor in the beef.
• Oregano: Traditional for pizza!
• Garlic Salt: You could also use chopped fresh garlic.
• Olives: I use canned halved olives.

Tomato Sauce and Finishing Touches

• Campbell’s Tomato Soup: One ten ounce can will do. You can use whatever brand you prefer, this is just the nostalgia talking!
• Worcestershire sauce: It livens up the sauce.
• Mustard: I like the extra zing it gives. You can use any type of mustard you prefer.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: You can use any white melting cheese too.
• Cornmeal: For dusting the pan before adding the dough.
• Egg Wash: One egg, plus one tablespoon of water.
• Sesame Seeds: For topping.

How to Make Sourdough Pizza Loaf

There are three individual steps to make sourdough pizza loaf, which looks like a lot of work when it’s written out. But once you break it all down and do each step, it’s actually a very simple recipe! Your family is definitely going to love this recipe.

Make Dough

1. In a large bowl, combine starter and water and allow to rest for 15 mins.
2. Now add 3 cups of flour one cup at a time to your sourdough mixture. Once the flour is stirred in, allow to rest for 40mins- 1 hr covered with plastic wrap.
3. Then add the remaining two cups of flour one cup at a time. I prefer to mix this flour in by hand. After the first cup, add salt along with the last cup of flour and mix until the flour is completely combined. Mix gently, your ball will be a shaggy mess, which is what you want for this high hydration dough. Allow to rest covered for 40 mins.
4. Stretch and fold the dough. Grab one corner of the dough and push it into the center of the dough. Turn the bowl 45 degrees, and repeat that same process 8 times. Cover and allow to rest for 40 mins.
5. Stretch and fold the dough 8 times. Then cover and allow to rest in the refrigerator for 12-24hrs.

Make Filling

1. In a large skillet, add ground beef and chopped onions and cook until the meat is browned. Then add tomato sauce, paprika, oregano, and garlic salt. Allow to simmer for 15 minutes, then add the olives.

Make Pizza Loaf

1. Remove dough from the refrigerator. Remove dough from bowl onto a clean countertop and divide in half. Spread cornmeal out on a cookie sheet. Shape dough into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick.
2. Place the shaped dough onto the cookie sheet. Add additional shredded cheese, about one half cup, along the center of the dough, leaving about 2 inches at the top and the bottom empty for folding.
3. Now add your meat filling on top of the cheese. Add the remaining one half cup of shredded cheese on top of the meat filling.
4. Cut a two inch slit into the dough at the top and bottom corners, and two slits on each side of the dough. The slits will be about 3-4 inches apart. This will help you when folding the dough.
5. Starting from the bottom, take the bottom flap of dough and fold it towards the center. Do the same with the other end. Then alternating sides, fold the dough just past the middle so that the flaps overlap. Gently press the overlapping portions together, and do the same thing to the rest of the dough until all the dough is wrapped around the filling.
6. Brush the dough with egg wash, then sprinkle with sesame seeds. Repeat process with second half of dough.
7. Allow the dough to rest for 1 hr covered with plastic wrap, or until doubled in size.
8. While dough is rising: In a medium saucepan, combine tomato soup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and cheese on low heat until combined.
9. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Bake for 30 minutes, until golden brown. Allow to rest for 20 minutes before cutting into the loaf.
10. Cut the loaf into 1-2 inch slices. Generously top with the tomato sauce and enjoy!

Tips for Making Sourdough Pizza Loaf

• Customize Filling: The best part about this recipe is that you can completely change the flavors up anytime you like. Does your family enjoy spicy food? Add spicy tomato soup, jalapeno peppers, and monterey jack cheese for maximum spice. 
• Change the Meat: This recipe tastes great meatless, with mushrooms and olives as the star. It also tastes great with ground chicken or turkey. You can play with the flavors of the sauce as you change the meats to make the perfect loaf for you.
• Make It Sweet: You can also make this a dessert loaf! Because the bread is a basic loaf recipe, you can add a cinnamon streusel on top and a yummy sweet cinnamon and raisin filling, topped with a glaze or cream cheese frosting for a delicious holiday treat.