Football Pizza

I think at this point, we have all picked up on the fact that I love a themed party or get-together.  However, I'd been unsure of football- or Superbowl-themed treats ~ mainly because Superbowl parties or playoff gatherings are guy-centric, and I'm not sure those of the male persuasion would really appreciate or even want football-shaped cookies with brown frosting and painstakingly piped-on white frosting laces.  I would appreciate it, but I think the football-party crowd is more beer-and-pretzels and less Martha Stewart, no?

I did pause for thought, however, when I came across this Pillsbury recipe for Football Pizza.  Nothing too fancy schmancy here; just some good ol' fashioned pizza {which I'm told pairs very well with both beer and football}, with just a touch of "theme" thrown in.

Even better ~ this recipe calls for pre-made pizza crust, so your job is that much more simple.  Form the football with pepperoni, the laces with string cheese, and give this yummy dish the place of honor at the center of your party snack table.

Football Pizza

Ingredients

1       can {13.8 oz} refrigerated classic pizza crust

2       teaspoons olive oil

1/2    cup pizza sauce

2       cups shredded mozzarella cheese {8 oz}

1/2    cup chopped fresh parsley

2        packages {3 oz each} sliced pepperoni

1       stick {1 oz} string cheese

Directions

Heat oven to 425°F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Unroll dough on cookie sheet; starting at center, press out dough into 14x12-inch rectangle. Brush dough with olive oil; bake 7 minutes.

Spread pizza sauce evenly over crust; top with mozzarella cheese and parsley. Arrange pepperoni in football shape on center of pizza {see photo}. Cut string cheese lengthwise into 4 strips {save 2 for another use}. To make football laces, place 1 strip horizontally on center of football. Cut remaining strip into 5 pieces; arrange vertically on top of horizontal strip. 

Bake 10 to 13 minutes longer or until crust is deep golden brown and cheese is melted and bubbly. To serve, cut into 4 rows by 4 rows, making 16 pieces. 

Play ball {or something}!

xoxo

Bean