Mini Loaded Baked Potato Pizza

I have kids. 3 of them, to be exact, which means one thing for sure: repetition. The story will have to be read, one more time. The movie will have to be watched at least one more time. And when asked what they want for dinner, at least one will always say, PIZZA. Kids thrive on the same thing over and over, and pizza is definitely one of those mine never seem to tire of.

But let’s face it. Pizza can be boring. Pizza can be expensive, especially frozen pizza for 5 people that cannot agree on toppings. So what to do?

Make your own pizza, of course.

Only, in my house, the toppings can be whatever you want. Ham, turkey, pepperoni, bacon, pineapple, and every-type-of-cheese-imaginable are favorites. Hubby likes veggies, too, and the kids do love their grape tomatoes, as well. We’ve used rotisserie chicken, pulled pork, cream cheese, feta cheese even French fried onions (surprisingly yummy!). Really whatever sounds interesting is a possibility.

Oh, did I mention I rarely buy pizza crust? No, I don’t make it either (I dislike baking – too much measuring!J) 2 words: Hamburger Buns. No, seriously. Want to know one thing kids like better than pizza?

 

MINI PIZZA

 

Hamburger buns, bagels, mini tortillas, sandwich thins; even hot dog buns make wonderful pizza crusts! (Texas toast Garlic bread makes a great crust too!)  So while the kids are piling on the cheese and making sloppy wonderful messes with the sauce (on a foil lined baking sheet of course!), I like to get creative and make my pizza a bit more exciting.

 

 

LOADED BAKED POTATO MINI PIZZA

Ingredients:

• Hamburger buns, (or whatever kind of crust you want, freestyle it!)
• Ranch dressing (mine had bacon in it, which of course, everything is better with bacon, right?)
• 1-2 potatoes, scrubbed
• Crumbled Bacon
• Shredded cheese – I used Italian and cheddar
• Grated parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400º

Scrub and slice potatoes thinly. Think au gratin, not potato chip thin here. Put them in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over medium heat (high if you are impatient like me, just watch it so they don’t boil over) Cook until potatoes are tender, but not falling apart, you want them just under done. Drain carefully and dry on a paper towel.

Now take your crust and place on a baking pan (lined with aluminum foil for easy clean-up) that you have sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Top with ranch dressing and then layer on the potatoes. Top with bacon and cheeses, as much as you like, and then sprinkle with parmesan.

Bake until the cheese is melted and the parmesan starts to brown. You could also top with chives and a bit of sour cream after they come out of the oven.

 

 

What’s your favorite pizza topping?