Mini Pizza Night

Preparation

Leaning in on good quality store bought ingredients makes the oft requested pizza night an easy thing to pull off. I like to buy dough from my favorite pizza place--they are usually happy to sell some and it really makes for pro level pies. The smart move is to order an extra ball so kids can get extra creative (and squish dough to their hearts content) without stressing out the grownups. The HexClad Pizza Steel is ideal for kids because it doesn’t require a preheat. So everyone can build their personal pizza directly on the room temperature steel safely.

1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Grate 1 garlic clove into the crushed tomatoes in a medium and the other clove into the ricotta in another medium bowl. Season each with salt and 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add several grinds of fresh pepper to the ricotta mixture and ¼ cup of the parmesan cheese. Stir both to combine.
2. Using floured hands, form each pizza ball into rounds, about 4 inches in diameter. Arrange evenly spaced on a HexClad Pizza Steel. You should be able to fit all 5 pizzas on the HexClad Pizza Steel.
3. Set up the toppings for your pizza station, see topping ideas below, so kids can take charge and build their own. Start with a thin layer of tomato sauce, ricotta mixture or pesto leaving a slight border, then sprinkle with mozzarella and any desired toppings. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Top as desired and bake until pizzas are puffed and golden and cheese is melty, about 10 to 14 minutes. Let cool slightly, slice, and serve. 

TOPPING COMBINATION IDEAS

PEPPERONI: Top pizza dough with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and mini pepperoni.

PROSCIUTTO PIE: Top pizza dough with tomato sauce and mozzarella. Add very thinly sliced prosciutto and fresh arugula after taking the pizza out of the oven. 

CACIO E PEPE: Top pizza dough with ricotta mixture, mozzarella, parmesan and black pepper.

SAUSAGE & PEPPERS: Top pizza dough with tomato sauce, mozzarella, crumbled and cooked Italian sausage, very thinly sliced bell pepper or mini peppers and very thinly sliced red onion. Finish with basil out of the oven.

PESTO & GRILLED VEG:  Top pizza dough with resto, mozzarella, and grilled veggies such as zucchini, eggplant, and bell pepper. Finish with basil out of the oven.