Cast Iron Skillet Pizza

One of the main problems with making a pizza at home is heat. To get a pizza similar to what you might find at a restaurant, you need high heat. This is where the ability of cast iron to hold heat comes into play. Using this method is a great way to get restaurant-quality results.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb. pizza dough

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• ¼ cup pizza sauce

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme or oregano

• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

• ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• Kosher salt

• fresh basil leaves for garnish

  INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place a 9 inch cast iron skillet inside the oven. Heat oven to 550 degrees with the skillet inside.

2. CAREFULLY remove the skillet from the oven and spread the oil in a thin layer across the pan.

3. On a lightly floured surface, work pizza dough into a 9-inch circle.

4. Gently place crust inside of the cast iron skillet.

5. Spread sauce in an even layer across the crust.

6. Sprinkle thyme and garlic powder over the sauce.

7. Add cheese and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the edges of the crust are dark golden brown.

8. Broil for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese starts to get dark golden brown spots.

9. Sprinkle with Kosher salt and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Slice and enjoy!

Zucchini Pizza Bake

I walked into our production building today to be greeted by a bag of zucchini on a table. We’ve now reached that give-it-to-anyone time of the season. Really. One plant is enough.

Ingredients

• 4 cups shredded unpeeled zucchini

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 2 eggs, lightly beaten

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

• 1 pound ground beef

• ½ cup chopped onion

• 1 (15 ounce) can Italian-style tomato sauce

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• 1 green bell pepper, chopped

• ½ cup sliced fresh mushrooms

• ½ cup sliced black olives

Directions

• Step 1

  Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place the zucchini in a colander and sprinkle with salt; let drain for 15 minutes then squeeze out the moisture.

• Step 2

  Combine the zucchini, eggs, Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, and 1/2 cup Monterey Jack in a large bowl. Press the mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Bake, uncovered, in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

• Step 3

  While the zucchini crust is baking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and stir in the ground beef and onion. Cook and stir until the beef is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink. Drain and discard any excess grease. Stir in the tomato sauce and Italian seasoning.

• Step 4

  Spoon the sauce mixture over the baked zucchini crust. Top with the bell pepper, mushrooms, black olives, and the remaining mozzarella and Monterey Jack cheeses. Return to the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes or until heated through. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Pizza Pasta

This is an easy and quick dish that the kids are sure to love.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces rotini pasta

• 1 pound lean ground beef

• 1 small onion, diced

• 1 (28 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce

• 4 ounces sliced pepperoni sausage

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

• Step 2

  Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.

• Step 3

  In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, cook beef with onion until beef is brown. Drain. Combine beef mixture with spaghetti sauce, pepperoni and cooked pasta and pour into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with mozzarella.

• Step 4

  Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, until cheese is melted and golden.

Amazing Pizza Sauce

If you're like me, you might have tomatoes coming out your ears right now.  Here is a unique way to use them.

Ingredients

• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 6 fluid ounces warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
• 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
• salt to taste

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine tomato paste, water, Parmesan cheese, garlic, honey, anchovy paste, onion powder, oregano, marjoram, basil, ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes and salt; mix together, breaking up any clumps of cheese.
2. Sauce should sit for 30 minutes to blend flavors; spread over pizza dough and prepare pizza as desired.