Pepperoni Ricotta Cups Food

PEPPERONI CALZONES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F
• Divide the dough: Using the prepared pizza dough, split the dough into 4 evenly sized balls for large calzones or 6 for smaller ones. Work with one dough ball at a time and keep the remaining dough balls covered so they don't dry out.
• Roll out the dough: Transfer dough ball to a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin roll it out until you have a circle that is 6-8 inches in diameter, again depending on size you are looking for. If you are making four larger calzones, I would shoot for around 8 inches in diameter. If making the smaller version go for 6-inches. Roll out all the dough balls, so you can have an assembly line when it comes to time to fill the calzones. In the end you should have what looks like 4 to 6 mini pizza crusts waiting to be filled.
• Brush with egg wash: Once your calzones are sealed, make the egg wash. Add the egg and 1 tablespoon of water in small bowl and beat with a fork until combined. Use a pastry brush to brush the egg wash over the top of the calzones.
• To Serve: Serve the calzones while warm with extra marinara for dipping.

BAKED MANICOTTI WITH PEPPERONI MEAT SAUCE

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees.
• MEAT Pulse the pepperoni in a food processor until ground. Add (the already ground) beef and pulse until thoroughly combined. (This will blend the flavors better and also prep the beef so it's more tender rather than 'stringy out of the package when cooked).
• Transfer beef mixture to large saucepan. Add the onion, garlic, and spices and cook over medium heat, breaking up mixture with wooden spoon, until beef is no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
• Using slotted spoon, transfer 1 cup beef mixture to paper towel-lined plate and reserve.
• SAUCE: Add spaghetti sauce to the meat in the saucepan and simmer until heated through (about 10 minutes). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Begin making noodles and filling while sauce is simmering.
• NOODLES Pour 2 quarts very hot tap water into 13x9 inch baking dish. Place noodles into the water ONE AT A TIME (so as not to stick to each other). Soak noodles until pliable, about 8-10 minutes.
• FILLING In a large bowl, combine all filling ingredients and the reserved meat. Mix well.
• ASSEMBLY Drain noodles on place them in a single layer onto kitchen or paper towels. Pour off water and dry baking dish. Spread half of meat sauce over bottom of baking dish.
• With the short side of the noodles facing you, spread 1/4 cup of the filling filling across the bottom of each and roll into a tube. Arrange the rolled manicotti, seam-side down, over the sauce in the baking dish. Spread remaining sauce over top. Cover with foil and bake until bubbling around edges, about 40 minutes.
• Remove foil and sprinkle with the grated parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered 5 more minutes. ***IMPORTANT*** Let cool 15 minutes.before serving so the cheese 'sets' and is not gooey.

PEPPERONI RICOTTA CUPS

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together (except mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices) till well blended.
• Place a pepperoni slice in each hole of a mini muffin tin. Spoon a tablespoon of ricotta mixture into each pepperoni "cup" sprinkle top with a pinch of mozzarella cheese.
• Bake at 375 for 10 minutes. Allow to cool slightly and remove from tin. Reheat in toaster oven or broiler.