Taste Buds: Pizza Bagels

I am constantly on the lookout for easy recipes that I can prepare for my family. Since moving to the east coast, I have been cooking and baking more than I have ever had in my entire life. I have said so many times that I am not so good in the kitchen. But I am sure as hell that I am very good at following instructions.

Captain Awesome and Little HRH absolutely love pizza bagels for an after school snack. Thankfully, it is pretty easy to make. Here is what you will need:

Bagels – The kids prefer the plain mini ones.

Shredded cheese – Feel free to choose your type of cheese. We prefer the five Italian cheese: provolone, mozzarella, asiago, parmesan and romano.

Pizza sauce – I use Ragu’s traditional pizza sauce.

Toppings – You can actually use your personal preferences for the toppings: ham, bacon, mushrooms, olives… Go nuts!

So, here is what you need to do:

1. Preheat oven 400.

2. This step is crucial: others recommend that you toast the bagels for five minutes before spreading all the ingredients. I, on the other hand, recommend it is better to heat the bagels in the microwave for 20 seconds instead. This will make your bagel crispy on the outside, soft in the inside a la pan de sal. 

3. Spread Ragu pizza sauce.

4. Sprinkle shredded cheese. Feel free to put as much as you can!

5. Arrange all your toppings on the bagels.

6. Bake the bagels at 400F for 12 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Note: Layer the pan with foil or baking sheet. Scraping off melted cheese and pizza sauce on the pan is not fun at all. 

Enjoy!