Deep Dish Pizza Casserole

I love this dish. It makes a great weeknight meal. Super simple to prepare and a hit with the whole family!

Deep Dish Pizza Casserole
Serves 8
WW PP=6
Cal 236, Fat 11.3g , Carbs 20.1g, Fiber 1g, Protein 11.6g

Ingredients
8 oz. crumbled Italian sausage
1 jar pizza sauce (I like classico)
1 (10-ounce) can refrigerated pizza dough
2 cups shredded cheese for pizza
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Any other toppings of your choice (I used some turkey pepperoni)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

In a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, brown Italian sausage, stirring until sausage crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain, and return to skillet. Add pizza sauce and cook until heated.

Meanwhile, unroll pizza dough, and press into bottom and halfway up sides of prepared baking dish.  Line bottom of pizza crust with one cup of the shredded cheese. Top with sausage mixture, parmesan cheese, any other toppings of your choice, and the remaining shredded cheese.

Bake, uncovered, 15-20 minutes or until crust is brown and cheese is melted. Cool 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!





This recipe can also be found at this Party

Garlic Crust Supreme Pizza

This pizza recipe is so simple and easy and it makes the perfect weekend dinner. It was a hit!


Garlic Crust Supreme Pizza

Ingredients
1/2 cup pizza sauce (I used fire roasted tomato pizza sauce)
1 1/2 cup pizza blend cheese
1 oz. pepperoni (we used turkey pepperoni)
1 green pepper, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
1 cup fresh spinach
1 thin crust pizza shell (I used Archer Farms ultra thin crust)
1 tbsp. butter, melted
1 tbsp. garlic powder
2 tbsp. Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
any other additional toppings of your choice (we also used jalapeno)

Pre-Heat oven to 425.
Using a pastry brush spread melted butter evenly over pizza crust. Sprinkle with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese. Let stand for 3 minutes. Add your sauce and finish assembling pizza by layering your toppings and cheese.
Bake for 11-12 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and pizza crust is crispy. Enjoy!

This recipe can also be seen at this Party

Hot Pizza Dip

A couple days ago I started researching what new appetizers I could make for Superbowl Sunday. I decided to make this pizza dip tonight so that my husband and I could test it out and see how we liked it. Well, this one is topping the appetizer list! Warm cheesy goodness and the red pepper flakes gave it a nice little kick. We loved it and it was so filling that it ended up being our dinner.

Hot Pizza Dip
Adapted Slightly from AllRecipes.Com
Makes 16 servings
WW PP=2
Cal 83, Fat5.7g, Carbs 2.3g, Fiber 1g, Protein 4.8g

Ingredients
1 package cream cheese, softened ( I used light)
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (I used an Italian Blend)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup pizza sauce
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
2 ounces pepperoni ( I used Turkey Pepperoni)
2 tablespoons sliced black olives


Mix together the cream cheese, oregano, garlic powder, basil, and red pepper flakes.
Spread mixture in the bottom of a 9 inch pie plate, or casserole dish.
Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the cheese and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese on top of the cream cheese mixture.
Spread the pizza sauce over all. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, then top with green pepper, pepperoni and olive slices.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes. Serve hot with slices of crusty French bread, bread sticks, crustini, or tortilla chips. Enjoy!

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

I've finally finished all of my Christmas shopping. And after a day of shopping and wrapping presents, I wanted something really easy to make for dinner. This pizza is a favorite in our house and it makes a great quick and easy dinner!

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Ingredients
1 pizza crust of your choice (I used Boboli)
1/2 cup Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Sauce
1/2 cup blue cheese dressing ( Ranch works well in this too if you don't like blue cheese)
1 1/2 cup Chopped Cooked Chicken
1 cup finely shredded cheese. (I use provolone but Monterrey jack is really good too)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees or if using a pre packaged crust follow temp on package. While the oven is preheating mix blue cheese dressing and hot sauce together. Spread on crust. Add cooked chicken and top with cheese. Bake 10-14 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbling. Let cool for 5 minutes and then cut. Enjoy!

Pizza Casserole

I love casseroles like this one. All the taste of a pizza combined into one dish. It was delicious!


Pizza Casserole
Adapted From Allrecipes.Com
Serves 8
WW PP=6
Cal 219, Fat 5g, Carbs 34g, Fiber 5g, Protein 1g

Ingredients
12 oz rotini pasta (I used Ronzoni Brand)
1 cup marinara or pizza sauce
1 1/2 cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup pepperoni (I used turkey pepperoni)
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp oregano
1/2 cup low fat ricotta cheese
any other additional pizza toppings of your choice (I used some chopped spinach)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Cook pasta according to package directions.
Stir together noodles, ricotta cheese, pepperoni, pizza sauce, garlic, and oregano. Mix well. Pour the noodle mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and top with cheese and additional pepperoni. Return to oven and bake for 5 to 10 more minutes. Enjoy!

White Cheddar, Chicken, and Spinach Pizza

One of the great things about pizza is how versatile it is. I always love creating new pizzas that I've never had before. Tonight's pizza was created with a white sauce along with white cheddar, chicken, and spinach. It was a hit!

White Cheddar, Chicken, and Spinach Pizza

Ingredients
1 cup shredded white cheddar (I used Sargento)
1 tbsp garlic powder (fresh garlic is great too)
1 cup chopped spinach (I used thawed frozen spinach removed of excess moisture)
1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced
3/4 cup white sauce of your choice (I made mine using a Knorr 4 cheese packet)
Pizza Crust (I used Boboli)

Pre-Heat oven to 450.
In a small bowl mix together garlic, white sauce, and spinach. Spread spinach mixture over pizza and top with chicken and cheese. Cook pizza 10-12 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and lightly browned. Enjoy!

Mexican Pizza

This was a great change from the traditional pizza.  Both my husband and I love spicy and pretty much all Mexican foods. This pizza was the perfect combo of both and I love how filling it was. If you are a fan of Mexican foods you will have to make this. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint!


Mexican Pizza
Slightly Adapted from Emily Bites
WW Points Plus=5 per slice
206 calories, 28 g carbs, 5 g fat, 11 g protein, 5 g fiber

Ingredients
3 oz seasoned and cooked lean ground beef (I used 95/5 and used Old El Paso reduced sodium taco seasonings)
Boboli 12” Whole Wheat Thin Pizza Crust
1/2 cup chunky salsa (I used hot)
2 tbsp taco sauce (I used medium)
1/3 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
3/4 cup reduced fat 2% shredded sharp cheddar cheese
4 medium black olives, sliced
2 tbsp Chopped Green Chilies

Preheat oven to 450 degrees
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, add taco seasoning and stir to thoroughly combine. Set aside.
In a small bowl, combine the salsa and taco sauce and stir together. Spread the mixture evenly across the surface of the pizza crust, leaving at least a ½ inch edge around the outside. Sprinkle the black beans across the top of the salsa layer and then follow with the reserved taco meat. Sprinkle the cheese evenly across the top and then follow with the sliced olives and chopped chilies.
Place pizza onto the oven rack and bake for 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven, slice, and Enjoy!

Yields 6 slices

Pizza Pull Apart Bread

One thing I love about pizza is how many variations there are. Thin crust, deep dish, stuffed, etc. A few weeks ago we went to a party and this delicious pizza bread was one of the appetizers. It was so good and I couldn't wait to make it. I decided to make a meal out of it and serve it alongside a Caesar Salad. My husband hemmed and hawed about it not being a meal nor a pizza because there was too much bread, but after one bite he was hooked and so was I. Yum!

Pizza Pull Apart Bread

Ingredients
1 Round Italian Loaf
Toppings of your choice ( We used 1 cup chopped pepperoni and Italian sausage)
2 cups mozzarella cheese
4 tbsp melted butter
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp oregano
4 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Slice the bread lengthwise and then width wise. (Make sure your slits are cut deep.) Stuff and fill the bread with mozzarella, and toppings of your choice. Melt the butter in a saucepan. Once melted, add the garlic powder and oregano. Brush on top of the Italian loaf and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Wrap the entire pizza bread with foil and bake for 15 minutes on a baking sheet. After 15 minutes, remove the foil and put back into the oven for 10-12 minutes until the top is crispy and the cheese is melted.

Serve with marinara sauce or ranch dressing.

Pizza Biscuit Bake

While browsing Pinterest (again) I found a 4 ingredient pizza bake recipe that I knew I had to try. So while grocery shopping I pick up a box of Bisquick and the other 3 ingredients (pizza sauce, cheese, and pepperoni) I get home and am ready to make it and realize that it calls for buttermilk Bisquick complete. I obviously don't use Bisquick very often since I had no idea that there were more than one kind. I guess that's what I get for skimming through the recipe and not reading it thoroughly. (I have the tendency to do that sometimes!) Luckily I found another Pizza recipe that calls for original Bisquick and it's just as easy to assemble. This recipe will be a keeper. It was fantastic!

Pizza Biscuit Bake
Source-Betty Crocker

3 1/3 cups Original Bisquick mix
1 cup milk
2 cups pizza sauce
1 package (8 oz) sliced pepperoni
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz)

                                    
Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix and milk until soft dough forms. Drop half of dough by spoonfuls evenly over bottom of baking dish (dough will not completely cover bottom of dish). Drizzle 1 cup pizza sauce over dough. Scatter half of the pepperoni over sauce. Top with 1 cup of the cheese. Repeat layers with remaining dough, pizza sauce, pepperoni and cheese.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Pizza Pot Pie

I recently came across an appetizer for Hot Pizza Dip and it looked incredible. I love appetizers but I wanted to find a way to make a dinner out of it. So, I decided to make the dip and top it with a pizza crust. It was fantastic. The filling was pure cheesy deliciousness with a yummy pizza crust topping. I don't know why I didn't think to make this a long time ago!

Pizza Pot Pie

Ingredients:

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup pizza sauce

2 tablespoons chopped green bell pepper

2 ounces sliced pepperoni

1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
1 can refrigerated pizza dough (I made my own dough)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. While the oven is pre-heating in a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese, oregano, parsley, basil, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Spread mixture in the bottom of a 9 inch pie plate. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese on top of the cream cheese mixture. Spread the pizza sauce over all. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, then top with green pepper, pepperoni and mushroom slices. Cover pie plate with pizza dough, seal edges and cut slits on top of dough. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes. Enjoy!

Note-I like to microwave the pepperoni for about 30 seconds to get some of the fat out before adding them to the filling.

Chicken Fajita Pizza

Happy Friday! Earlier this week I found a great recipe for a grilled chicken pizza in Better Homes and Gardens and the toppings were similar to what you would find in chicken fajitas (minus the tortillas of course). It was called chicken pizza with a kick. My pizza is a little different, but that ended up being the inspiration behind my pizza.

Chicken Fajita Pizza
Ingredients
2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, grilled and cut into thin strips
1 medium red sweet pepper, cut into thin strips
1 medium green bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced ( I used a sweet vidalia onion)
1 pizza shell ( I used Boboli)
1/2 cup medium picante sauce
3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

In a large nonstick skillet cook sweet pepper and onion to skillet; cook about 5 minutes or until tender. Remove from skillet; set aside. Spread crust with picante sauce. Top with chicken and vegetables; sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Bake in a 400 degree F oven for 13 to 18 minutes or until crust is brown and cheese melts. Makes 6 servings.

Pepperoni Calzones

TGIF! Instead of Pizza Friday, tonight we are having Calzones. These are really easy to make and you can stuff them with whatever toppings you'd like. The possibilities are endless with this one!

Pepperoni Calzones
Ingredients
1 16oz ball pizza dough (homemade or purchased) I made mine with jiffy pizza dough mix

2 cups shredded cheese (I used a Provolone-Mozzarella Blend) 

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
1 cup pizza sauce ( I used crushed tomatoes)

Fillings of your choice

Preheat oven to 400°. Spray a 12 inch pizza pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Press dough onto pan forming a 12-inch circle. In a mixing bowl stir together cheeses then spoon the mixture onto dough. Add additional toppings and pizza sauce. Fold dough over filling to form a half-circle. Seal edges. Cut slits for escape of steam. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until filling is heated through and cheese is melted.






Cool on wire rack for 5 minutes before serving. Heat sauce and serve with calzone for dipping.

Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Pulled Pork Pizza

Sounds weird, right? Well, with today being pizza Friday in our house and I have a ton of leftover pork from last night's dinner I decided to experiment and make a pizza with the pulled pork. I've had pulled pork on a pizza before and it was really good. I am hoping this will too. I'll be sure to post an update and let you all know how it turned out.

Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Pulled Pork Pizza
1 pizza shell ( I am using Boboli)
1 1/4 cup finely shredded Monterrey jack cheese
1/3 cup ranch dressing
Cooked and shredded pork
1/2 cup crushed pineapple (I am leaving this out since my leftovers have the pineapple in it)
Pinch of red pepper flakes

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. While the oven is preheating spread ranch on the pizza shell, add pork and top with crushed pineapple, red pepper, and cheese. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly.

NOTE-The verdict is in....this pizza was a hit!

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

It's pizza Friday and I decided to mix it up and make Buffalo Chicken Pizza. It is one of our favorites and a nice change from regular pizza.

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

1 pizza crust of your choice (I have a 14inch pizza pan so I am making my own dough)
1/2 cup Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Sauce
1/2 cup blue cheese dressing ( Ranch works well in this too if you don't like blue cheese)
1 1/2 cup Chopped Cooked Chicken
1 cup finely shredded cheese. (I use provolone but Monterrey jack is really good too)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees or if using a pre packaged crust follow temp on package. While the oven is preheating mix blue cheese dressing and hot sauce together. Spread on crust. Add cooked chicken and top with cheese. Bake 12-16 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbling. Let cool for 5 minutes and then cut. Enjoy!

Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizza

I basically grew up eating deep dish pizza, being from Chicago and all. I tried to make it at home last year and it just didn't turn out right. I think it was the pan I was using and my dough wasn't cooked enough for my liking. I'm hoping I will have better luck this time around!

Deep Dish Pepperoni Pan Pizza
Source-A Taste of Home Cooking
Dough
1/2 cup olive oil
3/4 cup skim milk plus 2 additional tablespoons, warmed to 110 degrees
2 teaspoons sugar
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour , plus extra for counter
1 package instant yeast
1/2 teaspoon table salt

Topping
1 (3.5-ounce) package sliced pepperoni
1 1/3 cups pizza sauce
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

To make the dough: Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 200 degrees. When oven reaches 200 degrees, turn it off. Lightly grease large bowl with cooking spray. Coat each of two 9-inch cake pans with 3 tablespoons oil.

Mix milk, sugar, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in measuring cup. Mix flour, yeast, and salt in standing mixer fitted with dough hook. Turn machine to low and slowly add milk mixture. After dough comes together, increase speed to medium-low and mix until dough is shiny and smooth, about 5 minutes. Turn dough onto lightly floured counter, gently shape into ball, and place in greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and place in warm oven until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.

Transfer dough to lightly floured counter, divide in half, and lightly roll each half into ball. Roll and shape each ball into 9-inch round and press into oiled pan. Cover with plastic wrap and set in warm spot until puffy, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oven to 400 degrees.

While dough rises, put half the pepperoni in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate lined with 3 paper towels. Cover with 3 more paper towels and microwave on high for 30-45 seconds. Repeat with new paper towels and remaining pepperoni.

Remove plastic wrap from dough. Ladle 2/3 cup sauce on each round, leaving 1/2-inch border around edges. Sprinkle each with 1 1/2 cups cheese and top with pepperoni. Bake until cheese is melted and pepperoni is browning around edges, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven; let pizzas rest in pans for 1 minute. Using spatula, transfer pizzas to cutting board and cut each into 8 wedges.

Veggie Pizza

In my house Friday night is labeled "Pizza Friday." I have been having pizza on friday nights since I was a kid and things haven't changed since then. I really wanted to make a homemade pizza last night with homemade dough. I got home later than I thought so I ended up buying betty crocker dough mix for the crust. The crust was actually really good and the pizza was made with just veggies with it being Lent.


Veggie Pizza-Makes 13 inch pizza
For the crust
1 package Betty Crocker pizza mix

Roll dough out with a little flour and place on pizza pan
Spread 1/2 cup crushed tomatoes on pizza dough
Sprinkle with oregano
Top with veggies of your choice (we used onion, peppers, spinach, and mushrooms)
Cover with 1 1/2 cups of finely shredded cheese (we used Sargento Italian Blend)

Bake on 450 for 12-17 minutes

Let cool and cut. Enjoy!