No Delivery Required

In less time than it takes to have pizza delivered, you can enjoy hot fresh pizza from the oven and I'm not talking about the microwave!  You can make your own pizza and be ready to eat in less than 30 minutes.  Just like the kind that's delivered, this pizza can be made to order.

The crust can be made with a package of precooked pizza crust, a can of refrigerated pizza crust, English muffins or a large loaf of Italian or French bread.  The choice is yours.

I use a can of refrigerated pizza crust

You also have a choice when it comes to the sauce.  The recipe includes a homemade sauce, but you can substitute 1 1/2 cups pizza sauce instead.   I highly recommend making the sauce.  It's easy to prepare, only uses five ingredients and cooks in five minutes.  Remember to make additional sauce if you're making more than one pizza.

One batch of homemade sauce

Just like the pizza you order, you can choose which toppings you want on this pizza.  My husband and I like ground beef and mushrooms.  Our son likes cheese and sometimes pepperoni.  The choice of toppings is up to you, but make sure to precook any toppings -- especially meat -- that won't cook in the short baking time.

The assembly is different depending on what you use for the crust.  If you use a precooked crust, a can of pizza crust or English muffins, add the ingredients first and then bake the pizza.  If you're using French or Italian bread, split the loaf in half lengthwise and broil in the oven until it's lightly golden brown.  Add the remaining ingredients and bake until the pizza is heated through and the cheese is melted.

Instead of spreading the sauce on the crust, I mix it with the toppings, except for the cheese and pepperoni.  It's not as messy when eaten plus the flavors blend.

Cooked ground beef mixed with 
mushrooms and homemade sauce

Cover the pizza with cheese and, if desired, pepperoni.

Regardless of which crust you use, the baking time is the same:  10 to 13 minutes or until the crust is brown and the cheese is melted.

The next time pizza's on the menu, give this recipe a try.  It's quick, tasty and no delivery required.

Make it Your Way Pizza

4 Servings

Crust:

1 (14 oz.) pkg. precooked pizza crust
1 (13.8 oz.) can refrigerated pizza crust

4 English muffins, split in half

1 large loaf French or Italian bread, split in half lengthwise and broiled until lightly golden brown

Sauce:

1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste

1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. dried basil leaves

1/2 tsp. dried oregano leaves

Toppings:

1 cup cooked ground beef or pork sausage

cubed cooked ham or Canadian bacon

cubed cooked turkey or chicken

1 (8 oz.) can mushroom stems and pieces, drained

chopped onion and green pepper

1 (8 oz.) pkg. shredded Mozzarella cheese or any cheese that melts easily
pepperoni slices

Preheat oven to 450°.  Put desired crust on a pizza pan or baking sheet. Prepare sauce by combining all five ingredients in a small saucepan; simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.  Or, use 1 1/2 cups store bought pizza sauce.  Spread sauce on crust.  Add desired toppings.   Sprinkle with cheese and, if desired, top with pepperoni.  Bake 10 to 13 minutes until crust is brown and cheese is melted.

© Margaret's Morsels