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Mighty Meat Pizza
Description
Parbaking the crust is key to getting this thick and meaty pizza to perfect doneness.
Prep Time:
20 minutes

Bake time:
20 to 25 minutes

Number Of Servings:
1 (12-inch) pizza
Ingredients:

Thick Crust:
3-1/4 to 3-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 envelope Fleischmann's® Pizza Crust Yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1-1/3 cups very warm water (120 to 130°F)*
1/3 cup oil

Toppings:
1/2 to 1 cup pizza sauce
1/4 cup diced onions
8 ounces Italian sausage OR ground beef, cooked and crumbled
Pepperoni to cover pizza, about 15 slices
Canadian bacon to cover pizza, about 15 slices OR 3 regular slices, quartered
4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 to 2 cups (4 to 8 ounces) shredded Italian blend cheese
1 teaspoon Spice Islands® Italian Herb Seasoning

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425°F.

Combine 2 cups flour, undissolved yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl.  Add very warm water and oil; mix until well blended, about 1 minute.  Gradually add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.  Dough should form a ball and will be slightly sticky.  Knead** on a floured surface, adding additional flour if necessary, until smooth and elastic, about 4 minutes.

Pat dough with floured hands to fill greased pizza pan or baking sheet.  OR roll dough on a floured counter to 12-inch circle; place in greased pizza pan or baking sheet.  Form a rim by pinching the edge of the dough.

Bake crust on lowest oven rack for 10 to 12 minutes, until just beginning to brown.  Remove from oven. 

Spread with pizza sauce.  Top with onions, sausage, pepperoni, Canadian bacon and bacon.  Sprinkle with cheese and Italian herb seasoning.

Continue baking for 10 to 13 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and crust is browned.  If cheese is getting too brown, cover with foil for the last 5 minutes.

*If you don't have a thermometer, water should feel very warm to the touch.

**To knead the dough, add just enough flour to the dough and your hands to keep the dough from sticking.  Flatten dough and fold it toward you. Using the heels of your hands, push the dough away with a rolling motion.  Rotate dough a quarter turn and repeat the "fold, push and turn" steps.  Keep kneading dough until it is smooth and elastic.  Use a little more flour if dough becomes too sticky, always working the flour into the ball of dough.