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When I want to make something special for my family or to take to a holiday party, a bread braid is my go-to. I just love the elegant presentation of this dish, and friends always rave about it.
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5 from 1 vote

Easy, Elegant Italian Meatball Bread Braid

This easy, elegant bread braid is full of Italian meatballs, red sauce, and Kraft Shredded Mozzarella cheese.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch, or snack
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf bread dough I use Ready Dough, thawed
  • Flour for rolling out
  • 12 Italian meatballs cooked, broken up into pieces
  • 1 cup pasta sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups Kraft shredded Mozzarella cheese with a touch of Philadelphia
  • Fresh basil chopped (optional)

Instructions

  • Sprinkle flour on counter for rolling out dough.
  • Roll dough in flour to coat.
  • Roll out bread dough into a 12 by 18 inch rectangle.
  • Cut 1 inch strips along each long side. Make sure they match up on each side.
  • Spread sauce down the center of the dough, not getting it on the strips.
  • Place meatball pieces on top of the sauce.
  • Cover the meatballs with the Kraft Shredded Mozzarella cheese.
  • Sprinkle fresh chopped basil over cheese.
  • Take first strip of dough and cross it over to the next strip up, pinching the 2 strips together slightly. This will keep the strip from sliding under.
  • Continue to braid the dough until all strips are crossed over.
  • Tuck the ends underneath.
  • Cover braid with a clean cloth and place in a warm place to rise for 30 minutes. It will double in size. If you don't have a "proof" setting on your oven, preheat it to the lowest temperature and then shut off before placing the bread in oven. You do not want to cook the bread at this point, just let it rise.
  • Place braid in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. If it starts to brown on top, cover loosely with foil.
  • To serve, slice bread in 2 inch pieces, leaving the braid in tact, placing on platter with extra sauce. We spooned sauce over ours and sprinkled with basil.