Southwest Beef Pizza

When you crave pizza and South-of-the-Border flavors, this is the recipe to satisfy those cravings.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (16-ounce) prepared pizza crust
1 1/4 cups mild, thick and chunky salsa
1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend or Monterey Jack cheese
1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles, drained well
2 medium plum tomatoes, seeded and coarsely chopped
1/3 cup thin red onion slivers
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
2. In large skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until no longer pink.
3. Pour off drippings. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt.
4. Place bread shell on ungreased baking sheet.
5. Spread salsa over shell. Sprinkle with half of the cheese. Top with beef, chilies, tomatoes, and red onion. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
6. Bake in oven 11 to 13 minutes or until cheese is melted.
7. Sprinkle with cilantro. Cut into 8 wedges and serve hot.

Makes 4 (2 slice) servings.

Tips:

• Turn this into a fun breakfast pizza by adding 4 scrambled eggs.
• For a spicier pizza, substitute medium salsa for mild.
• You can substitute cooked shredded beef for the ground beef.

Recipe and photograph courtesy of The Beef Checkoff.