Need an awesome movie night meal for the fam or fun friends coming over? Then look no further! My household loves this simple homemade pizza. Refrigerated pizza crust becomes a star when it’s drizzled with olive oil, and scattered with fragrant rosemary, and nice big flakes of salt. The filling is just like a gigantic Italian meatball only in “flat” form! It’s fun and simple and sure to make movie night a very special evening. Let’s get cooking! This recipe is adapted from Rachael Ray out of her 365: No Repeats Cookbook.
Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling, plus 2 tablespoons
1 pizza dough, I use Pillsbury’s in the refrigerated section
2 T. finely chopped fresh rosemary, a couple of sprigs
Course salt, such as Kosher
1 1/2 pounds ground sirloin
1 medium onion, finely chopped
4 to 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Coarsely ground black pepper, to taste
1 (3 oz.) can tomato paste
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
A handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
3/4 pound fresh mozzarella or brick mozzarella, sliced or grated
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Drizzle a round pizza pan or a rectangular baking sheet with EVOO. (I just use Pam olive oil cooking spray here.) Dust the dough with flour or cornmeal, then spread out the dough to form your crust. (I don’t dust the dough with anything if I use the cooking spray.) Poke the pizza dough in several places with the tines of a fork. Drizzle the dough with EVOO, then season it with the rosemary and a little kosher salt. Bake for 10 minutes.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the 2 T. of EVOO, then the meat. (I like to salt my meat a little at this point.) Brown and crumble the meat for a couple of minutes, then add the onions and garlic. Season the meat with more salt and pepper, then work in the tomato paste using the back of a spoon. Stir in the cheese, parsley, and oregano.
Remove the pizza crust from the oven and top with the meat mixture. Arrange the cheese over the pizza evenly. Return the pizza to the oven and bake until the cheese is golden, another 10 to 12 minutes.
Bonus Movie Night Recipe of Rachael’s – Zippy Italian Popcorn
This is very much Italian flavored popcorn. I like it because it is good for something fun and different!
1 pkg. reduce-fat natural flavor microwave popcorn
2 T. unsalted butter
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/3 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Microwave the popcorn according to the package instructions. Place the popped corn in a bowl. Combine the butter and spices in a small cup or bowl and microwave for 10 to 15 seconds on High or until the butter melts. Stir and pour over the popcorn, then sprinkle it with grated cheese. Cut the pizza into wedges and serve with the popcorn.
Enjoy the show!
COOKING THE BOOKS, YA’LL!