This is the easiest (and possibly least expensive) pizza you may ever make at home. But to qualify, this isn't pizzeria-style pizza. This is have a snack, go with soup for dinner, make quickly in the morning for breakfast, feed the kids lunch type of pizza. It's what my kids will make for themselves after school, in the morning, and late at night. We call them pizza sandwiches. They are oven-toasted, open-faced sandwiches.
The crust -- sliced bread, any will do. I've used the super cheap stuff, bread machine bread and thick slices of French bread. (This one is whole-wheat bread machine bread).
The sauce -- pasta or pizza sauce. You can even make "instant" pizza sauce in the microwave from canned tomato paste. Here's my recipe:
"Instant" Pizza Sauce
In a microwaveable measuring cup or bowl, stir together 1/2 cup tomato paste, 1 minced clove of garlic, 2 tablespoons minced onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon each dried oregano and basil, and 1/2 cup of water. Microwave for 40-60 seconds. You can sub onion (1/4 teaspoon) and garlic powder (1/8 teaspoon) for the fresh, and this is even more "instant".
Cheese -- mozza, cheddar, Parmesan, whatever we have in the fridge.
Toppings -- after Thanksgiving, we like to make turkey-pizza sandwiches. These are thin slices of turkey breast, lightly salted and peppered, and layered between the sauce and cheese (between, so the turkey doesn't dry out). Any cooked meat can be added here. Other "regular" pizza toppings for on top of the cheese an be used. I like olives and green pepper slices.
The Method
STEP 1
Lightly toast the slice of bread in your toaster, just until firm, but not browned.
STEP 2
Spread the toasted bread with pizza or pasta sauce. You can use jarred sauce, "instant"sauce, leftover spaghetti sauce. I keep homemade pizza/pasta sauce in the freezer. I do big batch cooking, and it's ready when I want it.
STEP 3
Sprinkle with cheese -- mozzarella, Parmesan, feta, cheddar, whatever you have in your fridge.
STEP 4
Add toppings -- olives, sliced veggies, pepperoni, mushrooms, cooked sausage/ground beef -- the sky's the limit!
STEP 5
Broil in your oven until the cheese is melty and golden. And you're done. Pizza is served!! Pizza in 5: 5 steps, 5 minutes.
