Kid Friendly Pizza Pasta Food

KID-FRIENDLY PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions. Then drain and rinse in cold water until cool. Set aside.
• Cut the bacon into 1/2-inch pieces and throw into a large skillet. Saute until slightly crisp, and then remove to a paper-towel-lined-plate.
• For the dressing, mix the mayonnaise, milk, vinegar, salt, and sugar if using in a small bowl.
• Stir together the pasta, dressing, tomatoes, bacon, Cheddar and green onions in a large mixing bowl. Taste for seasonings, adding more salt and pepper if needed.
• Stir in the basil at the end.

MAKE-YOUR-OWN PERSONAL PIZZAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500°F. Line two large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper or grease them with a little olive oil.
• Prep your toppings while the oven preheats, and place them all in separate bowls on a counter or table within easy reach of each pizza maker.
• Cut the ball of dough into 4 equal-size pieces. Give one piece of dough to each person and let them roll, stretch, or press it out to a 6- to 8-inch circle. Try to avoid overworking the dough; encourage everyone to form their pieces into pizza-size circles and then get right to topping.
• Place two rounds of dough on each baking sheet and let each person top their pizzas however they like! No combination of ingredients is off limits (as long as there's enough for everyone). As a general rule, two or three spoonfuls of sauce is plenty for individual pizzas. As far as the other toppings go, however, there are no limits! (Just know that the crust might be flimsy and wet in the middle if you pile on too much. Encourage your fellow pizza makers to grab pinches or spoonfuls rather than handfuls of toppings.) Pro tip: Making pizza faces (see photo above) or other patterns with colorful toppings will prevent pizza makers from overloading their crusts.
• Transfer the baking sheets to the oven. Bake the pizzas for 10 to 15 minutes, rotating them halfway through, until the crust is golden and the cheese begins to brown in spots.
• Remove the pizzas from the oven. Drizzle the pizzas with a little olive oil and season with a pinch of salt and a grind or two of black pepper if desired. Let them cool for a few minutes before slicing.
• Serve the pizzas on their own or with ranch dressing, hot sauce, or other condiments for dipping/topping.

PIZZA PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Mix together all ingredients and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving.
• We like to put it in a tupperware container with a tight lid and flip it upside down, then right side up a few times while it is chilling to distribute the dressing into the pasta better.

KID'S FAVORITE PIZZA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.
• Cook and stir ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until meat is crumbly and browned, about 10 minutes; drain excess grease.
• Mix cooked ground beef, macaroni, pizza sauce, tomato sauce, and mushrooms in a bowl. Layer half the macaroni mixture into a 9x12-inch baking dish; top with 1/2 the mozzarella cheese. Layer remaining macaroni mixture over the top; sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese over macaroni mixture. Cover dish with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese has melted and casserole is bubbling, about 35 minutes. Let cool for 3 to 5 minutes before serving.

4-INGREDIENT DUMP AND BAKE PIZZA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
• In the prepared baking dish (or in a separate bowl), stir together uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, water, about ¾ of the package of pepperoni, and salt. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
• Remove dish from oven, take off cover, and give the pasta a stir. At this point it should be almost done, but still a bit firm ("al dente").
• Sprinkle mozzarella over the top and place remaining pepperoni slices on top of the cheese. Return the dish to the oven and bake, uncovered, for about 5-10 more minutes (or until cheese is melted and pasta is tender).
• Garnish with optional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, if desired

KID FRIENDLY PIZZA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Cook pasta according to package directions, Drain and set aside.
• In a skillet, add sausage and heat until brown. Drain excess grease if necessary.
• Stir in garlic, diced up onion and chopped green pepper.
• Cook an additional 3-5 minutes to allow for ingredients to soften.
• Stir in pepperoni, cooked and drained pasta and tomato sauce. Mix well.
• Top with mozzarella cheese.
• Place cast iron skillet into oven and cook for an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and it's heated through.
• Top pizza casserole with a little extra Parmesan cheese or your favorite pizza toppings.