Description
This crustless pizza with Scarlet Pepper Medley offers a hearty, flavorful, and healthy weeknight dinner solution. It’s a speedy, satisfying family meal that uses everyday ingredients and can be customized to individual preferences.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground meat (beef or turkey)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup low-sugar tomato sauce (or marinara)
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup diced mixed bell peppers (Scarlet Pepper Medley)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Dish: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Brown Ground Meat: In a large, 10-inch skillet, brown 1 lb (450g) ground meat over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon until no pink remains. Drain any excess fat.
- Sauté Peppers: Add the diced Scarlet Pepper Medley to the skillet with the cooked meat. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until the peppers are tender-crisp.
- Combine Ingredients: In the prepared baking dish, combine the cooked meat and peppers, 1 cup tomato sauce, 2 beaten eggs, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 0.5 tsp garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix everything really well until fully incorporated.
- Top with Cheese: Spread the mixture evenly in the dish. Top generously with 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, ensuring good coverage for a beautiful melted crust.
- Bake Pizza: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on the edges.
Notes
To prevent drying, if the mixture seems too dry before baking, add 1-2 Tbsp extra tomato sauce. Don’t overcook ground meat; it will continue to cook in the oven. Ensure the baking dish is well-greased to prevent sticking and make serving easier. For speed, use pre-cooked ground meat or rotisserie chicken. For health, add fresh spinach or sliced mushrooms beneath the cheese for extra veggies. For flavor, stir in a tablespoon of pesto with the tomato sauce for an herbaceous boost. Garnish with red pepper flakes, fresh basil, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze for serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of dish (approx 200 g)
- Calories: 270 calories
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg