Easy as Pie Pizza

Whenever I cook things like tomato sauce, chili, or things that simmer a few hours, I make enough to freeze and use for another time/another meal. Pizza is one of those meals. The kids love to be involved in the making of pizza. It’s an easy way to spend quality time as a family. The kids think of it as a game or art experience and we as parents revel in knowing that we are investing in their future love of cooking.

Pizza Recipe:
Frozen Chili
Mozzarella cheese
Pizza crust

Thaw frozen chili spread onto pizza crust and top with cheese.
Bake until your crust is done and cheese melted.
Easy and fun!

Pizza crust Recipe:
Pizza crust is fun an easy to make but if you are in a hurry then pre-made crust works well too. I use pre-made often. It freezes well and thaws fast.

Here is a recipe adapted from Fleischmann’s.
I used my Kitchen Aide to make the dough and I only let the dough rise once.

2-1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 envelope FLEISCHMANN'S RapidRise Yeast* 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup very warm water (120o to 130oF) 2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil Cornmeal
Combine 2 cups flour, undissolved yeast, and salt in a large bowl.
Stir very warm water and olive oil into flour mixture.
Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough.
Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 4 to 6 minutes.

Cover; let rest on floured surface 10 minutes.

Lightly oil 1 (14-inch) or 2 (12-inch) round pizza pan(s).
Sprinkle with cornmeal.
Shape dough into smooth ball.
Divide and roll dough to fit desired pan(s).
Let the dough rise for 20 to 40 minutes, depending on your preference for a thin, more dense crust or a thicker crust.
Bake the crust in a preheated 400oF oven for 10 minutes.

Remove from oven and add desired toppings
Return pizza to oven to finish baking for another 10 to 20 minutes, or until done.

Baking time depends on size and thickness of crust and selected toppings.