Baked Ziti Pot Pies – (Adapted from NibbleMeThis Spaghetti Pot Pies)

• 1 pizza dough – (recipe for Basic Pizza Dough)
• 1 lb box ziti, rigatoni, tortiglioni or ditalini
• 1 lb ground beef
• 3 cups marinara or 24oz jar of your favorite pasta sauce
• 15oz tub ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 8 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced
• 4 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 4 tbs butter
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 tsp parsley
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• 4 ramekins

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a large pot, boil 6-8 quarts of water and cook the pasta till partially done.  I used Ditalini as it was smaller and therefore, more could fit into each ramekin.  For Ditalini, cook it for 8-9 minutes and drain.  Then set aside.

In a large saute pan, brown the meat. Then add the sauce and stir.  Check for seasoning.  It may need a little salt and pepper.  Remove from the heat and let cool.

In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese and egg. Mix until well combined.

When the sauce is cool to the touch, fold the ricotta mixture into the meat sauce. Set aside.

Grease the ramekins with vegetable oil or spray. Then add one slice of mozzarella to the bottom of the ramekin.

Then add a couple spoonfuls of sauce.

Add two tablespoons of noodles.

Then add another slice of mozzarella, some sauce and more noodles.  Top off with some sauce and a handful of the shredded mozzarella cheese.

Roll out the pizza dough and then cut four circles out of it.  Use your biggest circle cutter or a bowl and a pizza cutter. Then roll out the circles so that they are about 5 inches in diameter.

Press the pizza dough circles over the top of the ramekins.  Melt the butter and add the garlic, parsley and thyme.  Then brush the garlic butter over the tops of the pot pies.

Place the ramekins in the preheated 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.

Remove and brush another coat of garlic butter on them.  Then place back in the oven and continue to cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until they are a golden brown.

Remove and let sit until you can handle them with pot holders.

Invert the pot pie on a plate and remove the ramekin to serve. The trick is to give the bowl a sharp twist and then pull up.

Serve immediately.

These were some of the best pot pies I have ever had.  They were reminiscent of the Domino’s Bread Bowl Pasta.  Super delicious.

Thanks for the great idea Chris!

Frozen

There a ton of regional frozen pizza dough companies.  In the grocery store go to the freezer section, find the frozen dinner rolls and bread and there usually is one or two companies selling frozen pizza dough.  Another option is frozen bread dough.  This will make a lighter pizza that has more bubbles but it will work perfectly when you are in a pinch.

To use frozen dough, there are two options.

1. Let the dough thaw over night in the refrigerator.  About 2-3 hours before you want to make pizza, remove the dough from the refrigerator and place it on a floured surface.  Dust the top with flour and then cover with a towel.  When the dough has doubled you are ready to make pizza.
2. Remove it from the freezer and place it on a floured surface.  Dust the top with flour and cover with a towel.  It should thaw in 5-6 hours and ready to make pizza.  Not the fast thing in the world, but you still did not have to whip out your mixer.

Deli Counter

Almost every single deli counter in modern day supermarkets makes fresh pizza. Along with that is fresh dough.  They will usually sell you a dough ball for between $1.50 to $3.00.  This dough is almost always fresh and thawed.  Just place it on a floured surface.  Dust the top with flour and then cover with a towel.  When the dough has doubled you are ready to make pizza.

Pizzaria

Stop by any pizzeria and they will sell you a dough ball for little to nothing.  This is good if you especially like their pizza.  The crust can make or break a pizza.   Every time I get dough from a pizzeria it is always proofed and ready to go. Just take it home and you are ready to make pizzas.  This is one of the fastest methods.

Bread, Rolls and Bagels

If you are in a jam and need a snack or meal super quick, try making a pizza on french bread, English muffins, Parker house rolls or even bagels.  All you have to do is add sauce cheese, your favorite toppings and you are ready to go.  The benefit of this method is that the crust is already cooked, so all you need to do is heat up the sauce and melt the cheese.  This can usually be done in 10 minutes or less.

Pre-made crusts that are partially baked

These are the crusts that they usually sell near the end of the frozen food aisle.  Sometimes the come two to a bag.  I have found these to be extremely expensive and not that tasty.  Some create a rubbery crust that just ruins the whole meal.  Although I am not a fan, you might be.  People have different tastes.  I would use these at your own risk or not at all.

Make your own dough

This method takes an hour longer, it is by far the cheapest method.

http://www.savoryreviews.com/2009/05/19/basic-pizza-dough/

The Sauce

Besides the crust you also need sauce.  Making sauce is extremely easy, but I have also received emails regarding faster ways to make sauce.

Jarred Sauce

There are two types of jarred sauce that work for making pizzas.  Jarred Pizza Sauce and Jarred Marinara Sauce.  I find that most pizza sauces are OK.  They are not too sweet and not too boring.  They will get the job done.  Some marinara sauces are way too sweet.  However, this is all based on your personal preference.  I would personally choose the jarred pizza sauce over marinara as I find the marinara too sweet.

Prefer 2 minute homemade sauce

• 1 (15oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp dry oregano
• 1/2 tsp dry basil
• 1/2 tsp dry marjoram – optional if you don’t have it
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Stir the above ingredients together and mix.  You now have a basic pizza sauce.

Hopefully this little post will help you in your quest to make pizza easier and faster.

-Rex

Stromboli

• 1/2 pizza dough– (recipe for Basic Pizza Dough)
• 1/4 cup sauce
• 4 oz pepperoni
• 3-4 oz mozzarella cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, diced
• 2 tbs olive oil

The first step is to make the pizza dough and let it rise till it doubles.  Here is a simple and easy pizza dough. If you are running short on time, almost all grocery stores have pre-made pizza dough in the deli section.  Or, you can always stop by a local pizzaria and purchase the pre-made dough.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Divide the dough into two equal parts.  Then roll each half into a round pizza crust.

Spread half of the pizza sauce over half of the dough.

Then add the pepperoni and the cheese to the same half of the dough.  Finally top with the remaining sauce.

It is noted that you can put whatever you want into a Stromboli.  I had pepperoni lying around so that was my filling. I have had supreme Strombolis’ with onions, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms and black olives.  Totally awesome!

Then fold the other half of the dough over the filled part of the dough.  Making a giant tasty pizza-like turnover.  Using your fingers, crimp the edge shut.  This will prevent any of the filling from falling out.

In a small bowl, add the garlic and the olive oil.  Mix and then brush over the top of the Stromboli.

Place the Stromboli in the preheated 450 degree Fahrenheit oven and bake for 8-12 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.

Let the Stromboli sit for 3-5 minutes before serving.  The center will be like molten lava so be careful.

Serve and enjoy!

Garlic Knots

• 1 pizza dough– (recipe for Basic Pizza Dough)
• Kosher Salt
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tbs olive oil
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Pizza Sauce or Marinara for Dipping

The first step is to make the pizza dough and let it rise till it doubles.  Here is a simple and easy pizza dough. If you are running short on time, almost all grocery stores have pre-made pizza dough in the deli section.  Or, you can always stop by a local pizzaria and purchase the pre-made dough.

Divide the dough into 8-16 equal pieces, depending on the size of the knots that you like.

Next Roll each piece out like a snake.  Then make a knot in the center.

Fold the leg of the knot that comes over the top, under and through the knot.

Then fold the leg of the knot that is under the knot, over and connect it to the other leg that you just pushed through the knot.

Repeat this for all of the dough pieces.  Place the knots on a greased cookie sheet or parchment lined sheet. Lightly salt the knots with kosher salt.  Cover the knots loosely with a piece of plastic wrap that has been sprayed with cooking spray.  Let the knots rise till doubled.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place the risen knots into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until they are nice and brown.

While the knots are cooking, mix the olive oil, garlic and Parmesan in a bowl.  Set aside.

Remove and let cool for 5 minutes.  Then brush the garlic mixture over the knots.

Serve hot immediately with a side of marinara.

These can be served at room temperature too.  It is up to you.  I like them hot.  They are super easy to reheat too. Place them in a 350 degree oven for 5-6 minutes.

Hawaiian Pizza

• 1 pizza dough – (recipe for Basic Pizza Dough)
• 1 cup Pizza Sauce – Store Bought or Recipe below
• 1 cup ham, cut into pieces
• 1/2 cup pineapple chunks
• 2 cups mozzarella

Pizza Sauce

• 1 Can whole peeled tomatoes
• 3 cloves garlic
• 15 basil leaves
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp red pepper flake – (optional)
  

Garlic oil

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, finely diced
• 1 tsp basil
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• dash of cracked pepper and kosher salt

Pizza Dough

The first step is to make the pizza dough and let it rise till it doubles.  Here is a simple and easy pizza dough. If you are running short on time, almost all grocery stores have pre-made pizza dough in the deli section.  Or, you can always stop by a local pizzaria and purchase the pre-made dough.

My pizza dough recipe makes two portions. So try some breadsticks too.

Pizza Sauce

If you are going to use a store bought pizza sauce you can skip the next couple steps.  Otherwise, pour the can of whole tomatoes into a bowl and crush with your hand, a potato masher or a pastry cutter.  Once you have all of the big chunks broken up you are good.

Now take the 15 leaves of basil and roll them together like a cigar.  Then thinly slice them into ribbons.  The technical term is chiffonade.  Sounds fancy doesn’t it.  It means breath of butterflies, joking it really only means thin long strips.  Sorry to dissappoint.

Add the chiffonade basil to the bowl with the three cloves of garlic finely minced.  Add the salt, pepper and red pepper flake.  This is a good time to taste the sauce.  If it needs more salt or pepper feel free to add it.

This sauce is tangy and works great with any pizza

Assembly

First form the pizza dough into a round pizza.

Start with the center and slowly move outward till you have the perfect size pizza.

Using a brush spread the garlic oil around the edge of the pizza.

Now evenly spread the sauce over the pizza. Then top with the 2 cups of cheese. Make sure not to use too much cheese. You want bits of red from the sauce to peep through the cheese. Then finally top with the ham and pineapple.

Place the pizza in a preheated 475 degree oven for 10-15 minutes.  Cook until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted and starting to brown.

This pizza is awesome.

The garlic oil makes the crust more like garlic bread.  Awesome!

Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1 1/3 cup warm water (105-115 degrees) – body temp is 98 degrees, so place your finger under the tap and when it starts to feel warm you are at the right temperature.
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 – 2 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
• 2 tbs olive oil
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tbs honey

Making the Dough

Place the yeast, water and honey in the bowl of your mixer and let it sit for 5 minutes or until it is nice and bubbly.

Add the salt and olive oil, then slowly add the 2 cups of wheat flour.  Then slowly add the bread flour to the mixture 1/2 cup at a time. Mix by hand or on low speed in your mixer for a minute or until the flour is incorporated. The amount of bread flour required to make a dough ball that is not too sticky will vary with temperature and humidity.  Mine took a little more than 1.5 cups of bread flour.   Once you have a good dough ball, place it on a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes.  If you have a mixer with a dough hook place it on medium speed for 10 minutes.

Next I place the dough on a floured surface and leave it covered with a cotton towel or a tea towel for an hour or so.  Basically until the dough doubled in size.  Then divide the dough into two separate dough balls.  If you only wish to make one pizza place the extra dough ball in the refrigerator.

Forming the Pizza

To form the pizzas, place the dough on a well floured surface and slowly work the dough into a flat disk.  If you use a rolling pin you will end up with a flat pizza.  If you like big crusts then work the edges out by hand.  You can even through the dough up and spin it in the air to get a nice round shape.  The dough will make two 14 inch pizzas.

Remember the key to a great pizza is to not overload it with toppings.  The number one error in making a pizza at home is to add too much cheese.  This will make you end up with a soggy/greasy pizza.

To cook the pizza preheat the oven to 475 and place the pizza on a pizza pan or on a preheated pizza stone for 10-16 minutes.

When fully cooked, the crust should be slightly golden the the cheese should be melted.

The honey whole wheat crust was awesome!!  I am totally going to make this again.

Pizza Hut Style Breadsticks

• Butter flavored Pam
• 4 tbs vegetable oil, butter flavored if possible
• 1/2 the pizza hut dough recipe – (Link)
  • Dough recipe – Makes two batches of breadsticks
    
    • 1 1/3 cup Warm water (~105 degrees)
    • 1/4 cup Non-fat dry milk
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    • 4 cups flour
    • 1 tbs sugar
    • 1 package instant dry yeast
    • 2 tbs vegetable oil, (butter flavored if possible)
• Breadstick Seasoning
  • 2 tbs dry parmesan cheese
    
  • 1/2 tbs garlic powder
    
  • 1/2 tbs garlic salt
    
  • 1 tbs onion powder
    
  • 1 tbs oregano
  • 1/2 tbs basil

• Sauce
  • 1 (15oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp dry oregano
  • 1/2 tsp dry basil
  • 1/2 tsp dry marjoram
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Add the dough hook to your stand mixer.

Put yeast, sugar, salt, and dry milk in the bowl of your stand mixer. Add water and stir to mix well. Allow to sit for two minutes or until the mixture starts to bubble. Add oil and stir again.

Gently add the flour and stir until dough forms and flour is absorbed. Then knead the dough with the dough hook on speed 4, for 5 mintues.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide dough into two balls.  You can refrigerate the second dough ball.

Pour 4 oz of oil into a 9×13 cake pan making sure it is spread evenly.  I know it sounds gross, but without the oil you do not get that perfectly crispy crust. If you can find butter flavored oil, the dough will come out with even more flavor.

Roll out the dough into a 9×13 rectangle. Then place the dough into the 9×13 pan.  Cover the pan with a sheet pan and let the dough rest and rise for at least 1 1/2 hours.

Preheat the oven to 475 degrees.

After the dough has risen, cut the dough into 10 equal breadsticks.  I used a pizza cutter to score the breadsticks.  This will help the sticks form.

Next lightly spray the top of the breadsticks with butter flavored PAM.  Then lightly sprinkle the top of the breadsticks with the breadstick seasoning.

Place the breadsticks in the oven for 10-15 minutes.  When the breadsticks brown and the edges get crispy, remove the pan from the oven.

Then using a spatula remove the breadsticks from the pan.  Break the sticks apart at the scored lines and serve with the pizza sauce.

Making the Sauce

While the dough is rising, mix the sauce ingredient together in a sauce pan.  Heat with medium heat until the sauce starts to boil, then lower the heat to low.  Let the sauce simmer for 30 minutes before using.

These were amazing! They were almost exactly the same. The key was using the butter flavored oil.

Copy of the Pizza Hut Pan Pizza – (adapted from Minh via CDKitchen)

• Dough
  • 1 1/3 cup Warm water (~105 degrees)
  • 1/4 cup Non-fat dry milk
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 4 cups flour
  • 1 tbs sugar
  • 1 package instant dry yeast
  • 2 tbs vegetable oil
  • 3 oz vegetable oil for each pan
• Sauce
  • 1 (15oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp dry oregano
  • 1/2 tsp dry basil
  • 1/2 tsp dry marjoram
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Making the Dough

Add the dough hook to your stand mixer.

Put yeast, sugar, salt, and dry milk in the bowl of your stand mixer. Add water and stir to mix well. Allow to sit for two minutes or until the mixture starts to bubble. Add oil and stir again.

Gently add the flour and stir until dough forms and flour is absorbed. Then knead the dough with the dough hook on speed 4, for 5 mintues.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide dough into three balls.

Pour 3 oz of oil into three 9″ cake pans making sure it is spread evenly.  I know it sounds gross, but without the oil you do not get that perfectly crispy crust.

Roll out each dough ball into an approximate 9 inch circle. Then place into the cake pans.

Cover each of the pans with a plate or float object and then let the dough proof/rise for 1 to 2 hours.

Making the Sauce

While the dough is rising, mix the sauce ingredient together in a sauce pan.  Heat with medium heat until the sauce starts to boil, then lower the heat to low.  Let the sauce simmer for 30 minutes before using.

Assembly of the pizza

Preheat the oven to 475 degrees Fahrenheit.

After the dough has risen, spoon 1/3 cup of sauce on the dough.  Make sure to leave a 1 inch edge.

Top with 1 1/2 to 2 ounces of cheese.  Make sure not to overload it.

Then top with your other favorite ingredients.  I love pepperoni.

Bake for 10-15 minute or until the crust is brown and cheese is melted.

This pizza came out amazing!

It had the right texture and the right flavor.  It was an all around great pizza.  The extra oil in the pan fried the bottom of the pizza to perfection.

S’more Pizza

• 1 pizza dough – (recipe for Basic Pizza Dough)
• 2 tbs butter, melted
• 3 Graham Cracker, pulverized
• 5-6 Hershey bars, diced
• 1 bag mini marshmallows

The first step is to make the pizza dough and let it rise till it doubles. Here is a simple and easy pizza dough. If you are running short on time, almost all grocery stores have pre-made pizza dough in the deli section and/or freezer section, or you can always stop by a local pizzeria and purchase the pre-made dough.

Preheat your oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Using a food processor or a plastic bag and rolling pin, pulverize the three graham crackers until they are dust.

Roll out the dough and place it on a pizza pan.  Then dock the pizza with a fork.  You want to pierce the dough so that it will not rise too much.  You want it to be the same thickness all the way through.

Brush the melted butter over the top of the pizza.

Then top with the pulverized graham crackers.

Bake the pizza dough for 10-12 minutes until the bottom starts to brown.  When the dough is done remove it from the oven.  Move the rack so that it is about 10 inches from the broiler and then set your oven to broil.  Let it heat for a minute.

Top the pizza evenly with chopped Hershey bars.

Then top with the mini marshmallows.

Place the pizza under the broiler until the marshmallows brown.  This will take a minute or two.

Remove and serve.  As you can see from the picture above, you get the gooey S’more that you remember but in a whole new delivery method.

The flavor of the s’more is there and it is awesome!

Smoked Chicken Pizza

• 1 pizza dough – (recipe for Basic Pizza Dough)
• 1 cup smoked chicken – (Smoked Drumsticks)
• 3 roasted red peppers, sliced – Roast yourself or use the jarred variety
• 1red onion, finely sliced
• 2 cups mozzarella
• 1 cup of your favorite bbq sauce
• 1 tbs hot sauce
• cornmeal or semolina for dusting the peel

The first step is to make the pizza dough and let it rise till it doubles. Here is a simple and easy pizza dough. If you are running short on time, almost all grocery stores have pre-made pizza dough in the deli section and/or freezer section, or you can always stop by a local pizzeria and purchase the pre-made dough.

Preheat your oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Make sure to dice and slice all of the vegetables before starting the pizza.  You do not want the sauce sitting on the pizza for too long before you put it in the oven.

Coat a pizza peel or the back of a sheet pan with semolina or cornmeal.  Then spread the pizza dough out over it.  Make sure you make a pizza that will fit on your pizza stone.

In a small bowl mix together the bbq sauce and the hot sauce.  Then evenly distribute the sauce onto the pizza dough.

Next add a light layer of cheese.  I coat the base with about 1/2 cup of the mozzarella.  Then top with the smoked chicken.

Next top with the red onion and roasted red peppers.

Finally top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.

Bake at 500 degrees for 10-14 minutes.  When the crust browns and the cheese starts to brown, your pizza is ready.

This pizza is awesome.  The Smokiness of the chicken combined with the spiciness of the sauce is awesome.  I could eat this over and over again.