Football party pizza recipes

Homemade Pizza Dough

Makes 2 (10-inch) pizzas or 1 (18x13-inch) pan pizza

A quick snap to make with a standup mixer, you can stylize your pizza dough to suit the team's tastes. Substitute part of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a denser crust. Sprinkle in a handful of finely chopped walnuts for texture. Add fresh herbs in place of the dried Italian seasoning. And if you happen to have some gluten-free fans, give Bob's Red Mill Gluten-free Pizza Crust Mix some game time.

Ingredients:
1 scant tablespoon yeast or 1 (.25 ounce) packet
1/4 cup warm water (about 110 degrees F.)
1 tablespoon honey
2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1/2 cup warm water, more if needed
1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:
1. In the bowl of a standup mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, add yeast, water and honey. Set aside for 5 to 10 minutes or until yeast is bubbly. Meanwhile, whisk together flours, salt and Italian seasoning. Add to the yeast mixture along with water and olive oil.

2. Mix on medium-low speed until flour is incorporated. Turn mixer to medium-high and continue to mix until ingredients form a dough ball that pulls away from the side of the bowl. If mixture is crumbly, add a bit more water at a time until a dough ball forms.

3. Let the machine knead the dough for 5 to 7 minutes. Dust the counter with flour and dump dough onto counter. Use your hands to knead dough a few times, shaping it into a ball. Oil a large bowl and set dough in bowl, rolling dough to coat all sides with oil. Cover loosely with plastic or damp towel and set in a warm place to rise for an hour.

4. Dough will be doubled in size. Use your fist to press air out of dough. Cover with plastic or towel again and let rise for another hour. When ready to make your pizza, roll dough out with a rolling pin. If making two pizzas, cut in half and knead to reform two dough balls. If making one large pizza, roll dough out so that it is 1 inch larger than the pan you plan on using (jelly roll pans make large rectangle pizzas).

Football-Shaped Pepperoni Pizza

Makes 1 large football pizza

What better way to celebrate your team's victory than with a pizza shaped like a football! You can make it freestyle or, if pizza is a team player every weekend, invest in a football-shaped pizza pan, which can also be used for a monster brownie or chocolate chip cookie.

Ingredients:
1 recipe Homemade Pizza Dough (recipe above)
1 cup marinara sauce
3 ounces pepperoni slices
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley or basil
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Dump dough onto a lightly floured surface. Use your hands to knead and shape dough into an oval-shaped ball. Flatten with the heel of your hand and use a rolling pin to roll dough flat (1/4- to 1/2-inch thick) into the shape of a large football.

2. Carefully transfer dough to a jellyroll pan (13x18-inch rimmed baking sheet) or football-shaped pan. Use your fingers to roll the edges in to form a ridge. Spread marinara sauce evenly on dough inside the ridge. Top with pepperoni, parsley or basil and cheese.

3. Place in the oven and turn heat down to 425 degrees F. Bake for 12 minutes or until crust is crisp and golden and cheese is melted and lightly browned. Let cool for a few minutes before cutting.

Linebacker 3-Meat and Cheese Pizza

Makes 1 large rectangle pizza

This pizza is made to order for the guys. Let your man and his buddies decide just how much meat and cheese they want piled on top.

Ingredients:
1 recipe Homemade Pizza Dough (recipe above)
Marinara sauce
Pepperoni slices
Crumbled cooked sausage
Genoa salami slices
Shredded mozzarella
Shredded Jack cheese
Grated Parmesan

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Dump dough onto a lightly floured surface. Use your hands to roll dough into a thick log. Use a rolling pin to roll dough into a flat (1/4- to 1/2-inch) rectangle an inch or two larger than a jellyroll pan.

2. Transfer dough to the jellyroll pan and use your fingers to crimp the edges to form a rim. Spread with marinara and top with remaining ingredients. Place in the oven and reduce heat to 425 degrees F. Bake for 12 minutes or until crust is crisp and golden and cheese is melted and lightly browned. Let cool for a few minutes before cutting.

Cheerleader Chicken Veggie Pizza

Makes 4 (5-inch) pizzas

Let the guys load up on the heavy pie while you and the girls revel in a healthier – yet no less indulgent – pizza. The winning combination of juicy chicken, flavorful artichoke hearts and the tangy feta will tackle the pickiest of palates.

Ingredients:
1 recipe Homemade Pizza Dough (recipe above)
1 cup marinara sauce
1 cup cooked, diced chicken breast (buy a rotisserie chicken to save time)
1 cup diced marinated artichoke hearts
1 red bell pepper, seeded, thinly sliced
4 large basil leaves, each tightly rolled lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise
2 cups crumbled feta cheese

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Dump dough out on a lightly floured surface and roll into a ball. Use a large knife to cut the dough into four even pieces (cut following an X on the top of the dough). Roll each piece into a ball.

2. Use a rolling pin to roll each piece of dough into a thin flat circle. Use your fingers to roll the edges in just a bit to form a rim. Transfer dough to a baking sheet or two. Decorate each with marinara, chicken, artichoke hearts, bell pepper, basil and feta.

3. Turn oven down to 425 degrees F. Bake pizzas for 10 minutes or until crust is crisp and golden and cheese is melted and lightly browned. Let cool for a few minutes before cutting.

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