Busy parents who need quick ideas for mid-week dinners often rely on pizza. Not only is it a child's favorite meal, but it can be prepared in a hurry.
Pillsbury, the maker of refrigerated dough, has created "Pillsbury Pizza Night" (Wiley, $14.95), a cookbook with almost 100 pizza recipes that are ready in minutes.
Stuffed Crust Pizza
1 can (13.8 ounces) refrigerated classic pizza crust dough
7 sticks (1 ounce each) string cheese
1/2 cup pizza sauce (see note)
24 slices pepperoni
2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend
* Heat oven to 425 degrees.
* Grease a 12-inch pizza pan with shortening or spray with cooking spray.
* Unroll dough; place in pan. Starting at center, press out dough to edge of pan and at least 1 inch up sides.
* Place string cheese around inside edge of crust.
* Fold extended edge of dough over cheese, pinch firmly to seal.
* Spread sauce evenly over dough.
* Top with pepperoni and cheese blend.
* Bake 12 to 16 minutes or until crust is deep golden brown and cheese in center is melted.
* Cut into wedges.
Makes 8 servings.
Note: If you don't have pizza sauce, you can use tomato pasta sauce or salsa.
SOURCE: "Pillsbury Pizza Night"
Rustic Ham-and-Spinach Pie
1 can (13.8 ounces) refrigerated classic pizza crust dough
2 teaspoons olive or vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic (1/2 to 1 clove)
1 box (9 ounces) frozen spinach in pouch, thawed, squeezed to drain
8 ounces sliced Swiss cheese
6 ounces thinly sliced cooked ham
* Heat oven to 425 degrees.
* Spray a 9-inch round cake pan with cooking spray.
* Unroll dough; place in pan. Starting at center, press out dough to edge of pan and up sides.
* Roll top edge under and press against top rim of pan to secure.
* In small bowl, mix oil and garlic.
* Brush dough with 1 teaspoon oil mixture.
* Place spinach on bottom of crust; top with half the cheese.
* Place ham over cheese; brush with remaining oil mixture.
* Place remaining cheese on top.
* Place strips of foil around edge of crust.
* Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until crust is lightly browned and cheese is melted.
Note: For a crisper crust, bake crust 7 to 9 minutes or until light golden brown, then add fillings; bake 20 to 25 minutes longer.
Makes 8 servings.
SOURCE: "Pillsbury Pizza Night"
