Description
Mini DIY Italian Lunchables Pizza are bite-sized, customizable pizzas perfect for quick lunches or snacks. Using pre-made mini pizza crusts topped with classic Italian ingredients like marinara sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, olives, and Parmesan cheese, these pizzas bake to a cheesy, flavorful delight in just 12 minutes. Ideal for packing in lunchboxes or serving as party appetizers.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Base
- 1 package of mini pre-made pizza crusts or Italian flatbreads (approx. 6 pieces)
Sauce & Cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) of pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups (150 g) of shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 g) of grated Parmesan cheese
Toppings
- 1/2 cup (50 g) of mini pepperoni slices
- 1/2 cup (50 g) of sliced black olives
Seasoning & Garnish
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) of Italian seasoning
- Optional: red pepper flakes
- Optional: fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature for baking the mini pizzas evenly.
- Arrange Crusts: Place the mini pre-made pizza crusts or Italian flatbreads evenly spaced on a large baking sheet or pizza stone, ready for toppings.
- Spread Sauce: On each crust, spread about a tablespoon of pizza sauce or marinara, leaving a small border along the edge to prevent spillover.
- Add Mozzarella: Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce on each mini pizza to get that classic cheesy texture.
- Top with Toppings: Add mini pepperoni slices and sliced black olives evenly on top of the cheese, followed by a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
- Season: Dust each pizza lightly with Italian seasoning to enhance the overall taste with herbs like oregano and basil.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the pizzas from the oven and let them cool for about a minute to avoid burning when eating.
- Garnish: If desired, garnish with fresh basil leaves and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a fresh, spicy kick.
- Serve: Serve immediately while warm, or pack them into lunchboxes for a convenient and tasty meal on the go.
Notes
- Using mini pre-made pizza crusts saves time and ensures consistent size for easy portioning.
- You can customize toppings according to preference, such as adding bell peppers, mushrooms, or different meats.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free mini crusts.
- Allow pizzas to cool slightly before packing to keep them from becoming soggy in lunchboxes.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven for best texture retention.
