at home
kid-friendly
comfort food
pizza

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"Okay, I know everyone of a certain age and maybe even today's kids are like, 'Hands off, RR! This is Stouffer's jam!' I sooooo agree and get that, but these are good too and a great way to use up forever piling-up stale bread in our home. For each recipe, buy 1 large grocery store soft-style French bread loaf, as opposed to a crusty thin baguette. Each loaf will make 4 planks or servings of pizza." –Rach    

For more of Rach's nostalgic riffs, check out her Mushroom Lovers' French Bread Pizza and her Pepperoni French Bread Pizza.  

And for more guilty pleasures from this episode, check out this Cheesy Salsa Dip, Rice Krispie Chicken and Walking Tacos (and this hilarious food-fessions video). 

Ingredients

For the pizza sauce:
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped or grated
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon granulated onion
  • 1 tablespoon fresh or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • One 14-ounce can diced or crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
  • One 8-ounce can tomato sauce
  • A few leaves basil, torn
For the cheese blend:
  • 1½ to 2 cups shredded mozzarella (½ pound)
  • 1 cup shredded provolone cheese (4 ounces)
  • 1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (2 ounces)
To serve:
  • 1 loaf French bread, halved lengthwise, then crosswise
  • Finely chopped parsley, granulated garlic, red pepper, and dried oregano to pass (like at the pizzeria!)

Yield

Serves: 4

Preparation

For the sauce, heat EVOO over medium heat in small saucepot and add garlic, swirl a minute and add flakes, oregano, onion, parsley, swirl, add tomatoes and sauce and basil, bring to a bubble and thicken 15 minutes over low simmer.

Rachael Ray Classic Brights 3-Qt. Covered Saucepan

rachael ray saucepot

Rachael Ray Classic Brights 3-Qt. Covered Saucepan

$50

For the blend, combine cheeses in bowl. 

To serve, preheat oven to 400˚F with rack 1 above center. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the 4 planks of French bread and lightly toast 4 to 5 minutes. Top evenly with sauce and cheese blend and bake 12 to 15 minutes more to brown and bubbly, then top with parsley and pass toppings at table.