Amazing Macaroni Pizza

Recipe Rating:

This fun twist on two family favorites uses cooked pasta as the base for traditional pizza toppings.

For the Crust 1 2/3 cups elbow macaroni 4 slices (1 ounce each) American cheese, cut into strips 2 eggs, lightly beaten 2 tablespoons olive oil For the Toppings 3/4 cup tomato sauce 1 clove garlic, minced 1 1/4 teaspoons dried oregano (optional) 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 16 slices pepperoni Preparation Time: 20 minutes Baking Time: 30 minutes Serves 6

Preparing the Crust 1. Preheat oven to 375F. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until tender but still firm, 6-8 minutes. Drain pasta. 2. While pasta is still warm, return it to the saucepan and toss with American cheese and eggs. 3. Lightly brush a 12-inch pizza pan or ovenproof skillet with oil. Spread pasta mixture in the pan, pressing firmly with the back of a wooden spoon; bake crust for 10 minutes. Topping the Pizza 1. Spread tomato sauce evenly over the pasta, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Sprinkle with garlic and oregano; top with mozzarella. Place pepperoni slices on pizza in a spiral pattern. 2. Bake pizza until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 20 minutes. Cut into wedges and serve.

Pizza Dough

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Make this dough for our delicious Classic Tomato Pizza or Popeye's Pizza. 1 envelope (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast 1 cup lukewarm water (105F to 115F) 3 cups all-purpose flour plus more for kneading 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1 tablespoon olive oil

Preparation Time: 20 minutes plus rising Makes enough dough for two 12-inch pizzas 1. In a small bowl, sprinkle the yeast over the water. Let stand 5 minutes or until bubbly and creamy. 2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil and stir to form a soft dough. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. 3. Place the dough in a floured large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm, draftfree place until doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours. (Alternatively, place the dough in a large resealable plastic bag, seal and refrigerate 6 to 24 hours. To remove the chill, fill the sink with warm water; add the bag with dough; turn several times, and then proceed.) 4. Remove the dough from the bowl and knead briefly to remove the air bubbles. Cut the dough in half and shape into two balls. 5. Place the balls of dough on a floured surface and cover each with a bowl. Let rise 1 hour or until doubled. Continue with Classic Tomato Pizza or Popeye's Pizza.

Classic Tomato Pizza

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Also known as Pizza Margheritafirst made in Naples, Italy, in 1889 and named for the queenthis pizza is the most popular kind in America. 1/2 recipe Pizza Dough all-purpose flour 1/2 cup canned crushed tomatoes, diced fresh tomatoes or drained stewed tomatoes 4 ounces shredded or thinly sliced mozzarella cheese (1 cup) 1 tablespoon olive oil 3 or 4 large fresh basil leaves, torn into small pieces or thinly sliced (optional)

Preparation Time: 10 minutes (not including dough) Baking Time: 10 to 12 minutes Serves 2 to 4 1. Preheat the oven to 500F. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface. Using your hands or a rolling pin, stretch the dough into a 12-inch round. 2. Dust a baking sheet or pizza pan with flour. Transfer the round of dough to the baking sheet; shake the pan to be sure the dough doesn't stick. If necessary, lift up an edge of the dough and dust underneath with more flour. 3. Spoon the tomatoes on the dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Top with mozzarella. Drizzle with the oil. 4. Bake the pizza for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are puffed and the crust is crisp and browned. Transfer to a cutting board. Scatter the basil over the pizza; cut into wedges and serve.

Popeyes Pizza

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The kids will enjoy eating their greens on this yummy tomatoless pizza. Feel free to substitute chopped parboiled broccoli or fresh Swiss chard for the spinach. 1 large garlic clove, crushed or finely chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 bag fresh spinach, steamed, or 1 box (10 ounces) frozen spinach, thawed and well drained 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 recipe Pizza Dough all-purpose flour 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded or thinly sliced 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese Preparation Time: 10 minutes (not including dough) Baking Time: 10 to 12 minutes Serves 2 to 4

1. Preheat the oven to 500F. In a medium skillet over low heat, cook the garlic in the oil for 1 minute. Stir in the spinach, salt and pepper. Cover and cook the mixture for 2 minutes. Let cool slightly. 2. Place the dough on a floured surface. Using your hands or a rolling pin, stretch the dough into a 12-inch round. 3. Dust a baking sheet or pizza pan with flour. Transfer the round of dough to the baking sheet; shake the pan to be sure the dough doesn't stick. If necessary, lift up an edge of the dough and dust underneath with more flour. 4. Spread the spinach over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Top with mozzarella and then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. 5. Bake the pizza for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are puffed and the crust is crisp and browned. Transfer to a cutting board. Cut into wedges and serve.

Deluxe Pizza Bagels

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These delicious, crowd-pleasing pizza bagels make a great lunch or snack anytime. 8 ounces lean ground beef 6 medium bagels, halved 1 (14-ounce) jar pizza sauce 1/4 cup chopped onion 1 (4-ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained 1 (4-ounce) can chopped black olives, drained 3/4 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup shredded low-fat Cheddar cheese

Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Serves 6

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef; cook until brown and crumbly. 2. Remove beef from skillet with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Arrange bagels cutside up on an ungreased baking sheet. 3. Spread pizza sauce over bagels; sprinkle with beef. Divide onion, mushrooms and olives evenly among bagels. 4. Combine mozzarella and Cheddar in a small bowl. Sprinkle cheese mixture evenly over bagels. Bake until cheese is bubbly, about 10 minutes.

Deluxe Pizzas

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As a quick lunch idea or an after-school snack, these pizza muffins sprinkled with olives and peppers fit the bill. 2 tablespoons Italian-style bread crumbs 2 tablespoons milk 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley 8 ounces ground beef 6 English muffins, halved 1 jar (14 ounces) pizza sauce 1 small onion, chopped 1 small green bell pepper, chopped 1 jar (6 ounces) pitted black olives, sliced 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese Preparation Time: 30 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Makes 12

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Line a medium baking dish with foil. In a large bowl, mix bread crumbs, milk, parsley and beef. Form mixture into 12 balls; add to prepared baking dish. Bake until browned, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven; cool. 2. Meanwhile, toast muffin halves or place on a baking sheet. Bake until lightly toasted, about 7 minutes. 3. Cut meatballs into slices. Spread pizza sauce on each muffin half. Top with meatball slices, onion, bell pepper and olives. Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar over vegetables. 4. Bake pizzas until bubbly, about 10 minutes. Serve immediately.

French Bread Pizza

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Youll never grow tired of this crispy French bread pizza - its fun and easy to make, and the possibilities for sampling different toppings are endless. 1 loaf (16 ounces) French bread, halved lengthwise 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 jar (14 ounces) pizza sauce 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced 2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced 1 package (3 ounces) sliced pepperoni 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 25 minutes Serves 4

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Cover a baking sheet with foil. 2. Brush cut sides of bread with oil; place on prepared baking sheet. Bake until toasted and golden, about 10 minutes. 3. Spread pizza sauce on cut sides of bread; layer onion, tomatoes and pepperoni evenly over sauce. Top with mozzarella and oregano. 4. Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 15 minutes. Using a serrated knife, cut into 16 pieces. Serve immediately.

Meatball Pizza

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Two Italian favorites rolled into one irresistible pizza make a sure winner. Serve this as a quick snack, lunch or light dinner. 8 ounces ground beef 2 tablespoons Italian-style bread crumbs 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 small onion, minced 1 clove garlic, minced 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 package (10 ounces) refrigerated pizza dough 3/4 cup jarred pizza sauce 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese Preparation Time: 25 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Serves 4

1. Preheat oven to 450F. Spray a large baking pan with vegetable cooking spray. 2. In a medium bowl, combine beef, bread crumbs, Parmesan, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Shape mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Arrange in prepared pan in a single layer; bake, turning to brown evenly, until cooked through, about 8 minutes. Remove from oven. Set aside. 3. Reduce oven temperature to 425F. Unroll pizza dough; press into a large nonstick pizza pan or baking sheet, rolling edges slightly. Bake until lightly golden, about 5 minutes. 4. Remove crust from oven. Leaving a 1-inch border, spread sauce over crust. Arrange meatballs on top of sauce; sprinkle mozzarella evenly on top. Bake until crust is browned and cheese is bubbly, about 8 minutes. Using a pizza cutter, slice pizza into wedges. Serve immediately.

Pepperoni Pan Pizza

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Golden, thick-crusted pizza gets a double-meaty topping with beef and pepperoni. Leftovers make a satisfying late night snack. 8 ounces ground beef 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper 1 small onion, chopped 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped 1 package (10 ounces) refrigerated pizza dough 1 jar (16 ounces) seasoned tomato sauce 3 ounces sliced pepperoni 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 25 minutes Serves 4

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add beef, salt, pepper, onion and bell pepper to skillet. Cook, stirring, until beef is browned and crumbly, about 5 minutes; drain fat. Remove skillet from heat: set aside. 2. Press dough into a greased 8- inch deep-dish pie pan. Trim excess dough; flute edges. 3. Spread tomato sauce over dough to within 1/2 inch of edges. Sprinkle beef mixture evenly over sauce. Arrange pepperoni slices evenly over top. 4. Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over pepperoni. Bake pizza until cheese is bubbly and crust is golden brown, about 25 minutes.

Pizza Margherita

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This old-style pizza topped with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil will have everyone asking for seconds. 1 package (10 ounces) refrigerated pizza dough 2 large tomatoes, thinly sliced 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or 1 tablespoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Serves 4 1. Preheat oven to 425F. Unroll pizza dough; press into a large nonstick pizza pan or baking sheet. Form dough into a 14-inch round. Bake for 5 minutes. 2. Remove pizza crust from oven. Arrange tomatoes in a single layer on crust, overlapping slightly and leaving a 1-inch border. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan over tomatoes. Sprinkle evenly with basil, salt and pepper. 3. Return pizza to oven. Bake until crust is browned and cheese is bubbly, about 10 minutes. Using a pizza cutter, slice pizza into wedges. Serve immediately.

Speedy Pizza

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Get ready to try this fabulous pesto, mozzarella and ham pizza. Its fresh and tasty and faster than takeout. 4 1/2 ounces pizza dough mix 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato pesto 1 beefsteak tomato, sliced 5 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced 1 ounce ham, diced 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano or marjoram Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 15 minutes Serves 4

1. Preheat oven to 400F. Prepare the pizza dough according to package directions. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into an 8-inch round. Place on an oiled baking sheet. 2. Spread pesto evenly over the top of the pizza dough. Alternate slices of tomato and mozzarella cheese in a ring on top of the pizza. Sprinkle the diced ham over the top. 3. In a small bowl, mix together, the garlic, oil and oregano or marjoram. Drizzle the flavored oil evenly over the top of the pizza and dot with garlic and herbs. 4. Bake pizza in the top of the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until cheese melts and dough rises slightly and turns golden. Transfer to a serving plate. Slice; serve immediately.

Valentine Pizzas

Recipe Rating:

For a boost of authentic flavor, add a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh basil when the pizzas come out of the oven. 1 can (10 ounces) refrigerated pizza crust dough 1 can (8 ounces) pizza sauce 1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms (about 3 ounces) 1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper (1/2 small) 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Preparation Time: 10 minutes Baking Time: 12-14 minutes Serves 4 1. Preheat oven to 425F. Coat a large baking sheet lightly with cooking spray. Unroll pizza crust dough on work surface; cut into 4 equal pieces. Place dough pieces 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheet. 2. Cut a 1-inch slit in center of one short edge of each dough piece. Shape each into a 6- x 6-inch heart shape. Pinch dough to form rim around edge. Bake crusts until edges are light golden, about 5 minutes.

3. Remove crusts from oven. Spread pizza sauce on crusts. Top with mushrooms, bell pepper and onion. Sprinkle with mozzarella. Bake pizzas until crust edges are golden and cheese is melted, 7-9 minutes longer.