Irresistable combo #2

Have kids? If so, this is a hard combo to beat; pizza and bacon cheeseburger in one easy-to-eat package.  Adults are pretty crazy about it too.

Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza

5 slices bacon, diced
1/2 pound lean ground beef
1 cup peeled and diced onion
1 cup purchased marinara sauce
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Salt and fresh ground black pepper
Cornmeal, for dusting
12 ounces prepared whole-wheat pizza dough
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella
3/4 cup shredded sharp white cheddar

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees with a pizza stone placed on the lowest rack.

In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy.  Transfer bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate and drain off all but 2 teaspoons of the drippings from the skillet.  Add beef and onions to the skillet and cook, stirring to crumble, until the beef has cooked through and the onions have softened about 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the marinara sauce and crushed red pepper; simmer, stirring, until thoroughly heated through, about 5 minutes. Season lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper.  Remove from the heat and set aside.

Sprinkle enough cornmeal to lightly cover a pizza peel.  Stretch and roll out the dough into a 13-inch circle and transfer to the cornmeal-dusted peel. Slide the crust onto the stone and cook until the bottom begins to crisp up about 5 minutes.  Carefully remove from the oven and place the crust, uncooked side down, onto a cutting board.

Pour sauced beef mixture onto the partially baked crust and evenly spread to cover. Scatter the top with the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Crumble bacon and sprinkle evenly over the top. Slide pizza back onto the stone and bake until the cheese has melted and the crust is golden and crisp about 10 to 12 minutes.

Remove from the oven and place onto a wire rack to cool slightly before slicing into wedges and serving.

8 slices