Pepperoni Pizza Quesadilla

Pepperoni Pizza Quesadilla

Julia   

These pizza quesadillas are super tasty and the best part is you can prep all of the ingredients and left everyone prepare their own. That is what I did with my family. I had bowls with various ingredients like, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, green olives, black olives, banana peppers and bell peppers. Everyone could put on whatever ingredients they wanted and it was such a success with my girls, they loved being able to make their own pizza quesadilla.

Since I was making 4 quesadillas I decided to try and cook them in the oven instead of cooking them in a skillet one at a time. Using the oven worked, the tortillas got nice and crispy, however they did not have a uniform golden brown to them, like in the skillet. So if you need to make a bunch of quesadillas, the oven works great if you do not mind a little uneven color.

Pizza Quesadilla

Ingredients:

• 8 flour tortillas
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• pepperoni slices
• olive oil
• marinara or pizza sauce

Optional Toppings

• sliced olives, green or black
• diced bell peppers
• sliced mushrooms
• banana peppers

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350º F.
2. Brush 4 of the quesadillas with just enough olive oil to completely coat one side. Place the tortillas olive oil side down on two large baking sheets.
3. Top each tortilla with about 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese and add any desired toppings. Sprinkle on about 1/4 cup cheese on top of the toppings.
4. Brush the remaining tortillas with just enough olive oil to completely coat one side. Place the tortillas on top of the cheese with the olive oil side facing up.
5. Bake on the middle rack for 5-10 minutes or until the bottom is golden brown or reached your desired crispiness. Carefully flip the quesadillas over and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the bottom is golden brown or reached your desired crispiness. Watch the quesadillas carefully so they do not burn.
6. Serve with pizza sauce or marinara sauce for dipping the quesadillas in.

Enjoy!!!

Notes:
The nutritional info does not include any additional toppings added and does not include the sauce for dipping.

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 470
Total Fat		33.2g
Saturated Fat		13g
Polyunsaturated Fat		1.4g
Monounsaturated Fat		10g
Trans Fat		0g
Cholesterol		40.9g
Sodium		726.7mg
Potassium		0.1mg
Total Carbohydrates		23.4g
Dietary Fiber		1g
Sugars		1g
Protein		18.9g
Vitamin A 8% Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 46.01% Iron 37.24%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Little Dairy on the Prairie.

One Skillet Pizza Chicken

One Skillet Pizza Chicken

Julia   

Sometimes it is nice to enjoy the flavor of a pizza without having to go through the work of making one or spending money to buy one from our favorite local pizza shop. And the fact that this is made all in one skillet makes the recipe even better. I also love the fact that the delicious pizza sauce is homemade and made right in the skillet.

One Skillet Pizza Chicken

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• black pepper, to taste
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup mini pepperoni

Directions:

1. In a large oven safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with black pepper and add to the skillet. Cook the chicken until lightly browned, about 5-10 minutes, depending on how thick your chicken breasts are. Flip the chicken over and cook on the other side until lightly browned and completely cooked, about 5-10 minutes.
3. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
4. Add the garlic to the hot skillet and cook stirring frequently until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Watch carefully so it does not burn.
5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, parsley and red pepper flakes. Season with black pepper to taste.
6. Bring the sauce to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened, about 15-20 minutes.
7. Preheat the broiler on the oven.
8. Add the chicken back to the skillet and top with the cheese and pepperoni.
9. Place the skillet under the broiler and cook until the cheese has melted and starting to turn golden brown. Watch carefully so the cheese does not burn.

Enjoy!!!

Notes:
I used mini turkey pepperoni.

I served this chicken over pasta, but you could use rice as well. You could even serve it as it is for a low carb option.

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories 273
Total Fat		18.7g
Saturated Fat		7g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.2g
Monounsaturated Fat		0g
Trans Fat		0g
Cholesterol		58.4g
Sodium		818.5mg
Potassium		516.4mg
Total Carbohydrates		9.3g
Dietary Fiber		2.9g
Sugars		5.2g
Protein		18.5g
Vitamin A 61.72% Vitamin C 44.97%
Calcium 23.86% Iron 14.93%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Damn Delicious.

Pizza Twists

Pizza Twists

Julia   

We’ve started a new tradition with Friday night pizza nights.  I know many families who do this and we have come to love it. 

These pizza twists make for an extra fun pizza night.  Easily made, and served perfectly with marinara sauce (or for some extra veggies - roasted red pepper soup or roasted tomato soup), these pizza twists will change up pizza night for the better.
Pizza Twists – Adapted from the Weary Chef
Ingredients

• 1 recipe, quick 40-minute pizza dough
• 4 T quick and easy pizza sauce
• 6 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 C diced Canadian bacon or pepperoni (optional)
• 2 T Parmesan cheese
• Italian seasoning (garnish)

Directions
Begin by making the pizza dough according to directions. 

Divide the dough in half and roll each half of dough out into a large rectangle, the size of half a sheet cake.  Top one half with pizza sauce, cheese and pepperoni/Canadian bacon. 

Carefully place the other pizza dough rectangle over the top. 

Using a knife or pizza cutter, slice the dough vertically in 1 1/2 – 2 inch strips.  Twist both ends and place onto a cookie sheet for baking. 

Spritz lightly with olive oil, and garnish with parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. 

Bake at 425 for 10-12 minutes until the dough is cooked and the cheese has melted. 

Serve warm. 

Enjoy!