After all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, I am ready for easy family meals the rest of this week.  In fact, this award-winning pizza recipe from the 2012 Pillsbury Bake-Off is also a great appetizer option for serving guests as we approach New Year’s Eve!

Terri Sherman of Palos Heights, Ill., won $5,000 and $3,000 in GE kitchen appliances at the Bake-Off this year for her “Asparagus, Artichoke and Red Pepper Pizza.  The dish is packed with veggies and has a wonderfully crispy crust that I love.

Keep reading for the recipe…

Asparagus, Artichoke and Red Pepper Pizza

8 oz fresh asparagus spears, trimmed

1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch strips

1 tablespoon Crisco 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/4 teaspoon McCormick Sea Salt

1/4 cup Progresso panko bread crumbs

1 can Pillsbury refrigerated classic pizza crust

6 tablespoons whipped cream cheese spread

1 to 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

1 jar (12 oz) marinated artichoke hearts, drained, chopped

3/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese (3 oz)

3/4 cup shredded Gruyere cheese (3 oz)

1/2 teaspoon McCormick Garlic Powder

Heat oven to 400°F. Place asparagus and red pepper in ungreased 13×9-inch pan; drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt.

Bake vegetables 12 to 16 minutes or until crisp-tender, turning once halfway through baking. Cool 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, spray cookie sheet with Crisco Original No-Stick Cooking Spray. Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Unroll pizza crust dough onto crumb-coated sheet; press into 15×10-inch rectangle.

Flute edges of dough.

Bake 12 to 16 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Cool 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, cut asparagus and red pepper into 1/2-inch pieces. Spread cream cheese onto warm crust; sprinkle with lemon peel. Arrange half of the artichokes, asparagus and red pepper over cream cheese; sprinkle with half of the Swiss and Gruyere cheeses. Repeat with remaining vegetables and cheeses.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are golden brown and cheese is melted. Remove from oven; sprinkle with garlic powder.

Categories: Celebrations and Parties, Dinner Tonight | Tags: Easy Pizza Recipes, pizza, Vegetarian Dinner Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes
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