All Bite No Bark: Meatzza

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb lean ground beef 85/15

  • ½ teaspoon salt (I used pink himalayan salt)

  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano

  • ¼ red pepper flakes (optional)

  • ½ cup pizza sauce

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella (4oz) — I use fresh mozzarella

  • Your choice of toppings


Directions:

  • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Line a 14-inch rimmed, non-perforated pizza pan with a circle of parchment paper. You can also use a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment and make the pizza a bit smaller in diameter.

  • On the prepared baking sheet, flatten the ground beef into a very thin, large circle — make it as thin as you can (⅛ inch thick is good). Use a rolling pin to roll it as thin as you can then use your fingers to spread it evenly so that it covers the entire pan.

  • Sprinkle the ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano and red pepper flakes.

  • Bake the meat crust in the preheated oven until fully cooked. If rolled thin, this should take about 10 minutes.

  • Remove the pan from the oven and switch the oven to broil. By now, the meat crust has shrunk and is sitting in a pool of cooking liquids. Carefully transfer it, using two wide spatulas, to a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet.

  • Spread the meat base with pizza sauce, then sprinkle the cheese evenly on top. Add your toppings. Return to the oven and broil just until the cheese is melted, one to two minutes. You can also bake in the 400 degree oven for five more minutes instead of broiling, but I do like the way broiling crisps up the edges.

  • Allow the meatzza to rest for 5 minutes before cutting into 8 pieces. MAKES 4 SERVINGS!

The BiteIzabel Johnson