Easy Pizza in a Pinch

Get all the flavor of pizza – without the hassle of making or buying pizza dough. You can split the buns in half along the fold to make appetizer-size portions, or you can leave the buns whole for mini-pizzas. These come together quickly, a bonus when time is short.

Step: 1

To make the sauce, combine tomato sauce, garlic, 3 teaspoons herbs, paprika, salt and pepper in a sauce pan over medium-high heat.

Step: 2

When sauce bubbles, reduce to a low simmer and stir. Cover and allow to simmer over very low heat for 15 minutes.

Step: 3

Crumble Italian sausage in a pan and cook over medium heat until no longer pink, about 15 minutes. Drain over paper towels. Set aside.

Step: 4

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Step: 5

Mix olive oil, garlic and 1 teaspoon herb blend in a small bowl.

Step: 6

Open hot dog buns and arrange on sheet pans covered in foil.

Step: 7

Separate buns in halves along the folds if you want to make 16 appetizers; leave whole if you want to make 8 pizzas.

Step: 8

Brush the buns with the olive oil mixture.

Step: 9

Toast buns in the oven for about 5 minutes, just until edges begin to brown.

Step: 10

Remove pan from oven and spread each of the buns with the warm tomato sauce.

Step: 11

Top with browned Italian sausage, pepperoni slices, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.

Step: 12

Return pan to the oven and bake at 400 degrees F for 5 to 10 minutes or until cheeses are bubbling.

Step: 13

Serve garnished with fresh oregano leaves and crushed red pepper, if desired.

Per Serving: 516 calories; protein 24.5g; carbohydrates 31.6g; fat 32g; cholesterol 65.5mg; sodium 1886.9mg.