A New Spin On An Old Favorite: Mexican Breakfast Pizza

If you've never tried pizza of the breakfast persuasion, I highly recommend giving this recipe a try with your family - tonight.

"What's that," you say, "pizza for breakfast?"

Now, we've all had cold, leftover pizza for breakfast, and believe me - that is not what this recipe is about. I'm talking about eggs, bacon and melted cheese pizza- and that, my friends, is what's for dinner!

I sampled a slice of this deliciousness while on a short family jaunt up to moose country. We were heading to the White Mountains for a destination wedding, and decided to pit-stop at my aunts house at the half way point for a breather, or two. We were pleasantly surprised with this delicious breakfast pizza, and my kids absolutely loved it.

It turns out these pizzas are all the rage with the locals in the little town, and after tasting it, I could see why.

There is nothing like breakfast pizza, that surprisingly yummy combination of chewy crust, salty bacon, and creamy eggs smothered in melted cheese. And whats better is the combinations don't stop there. I went with a Mexican-inspired pizza, but like any good pizza, the sky is the limit - use your imagination.

Try it with a little spicy salsa, or fresh jalapenos, for added zip; sliced fresh avocados would be divine, carmelized onions, mushrooms, or a little spinach and feta cheese. How about trying one with crispy garlic potatoes on top to stand in for the home-fries?

Try putting out little dishes of healthy toppers like tomatoes, olives, avocados and chives so your family can add their own flavor profile to their cooked pizza, ala taco-style.

Of course, whenever the opportunity arises for the kids to pitch in with dinner is a bonus. With this meal, kids not only are able to, but actually enjoy helping assemble these little gems - which makes it the perfect dinner time treat that's still healthy, so you can feel good serving up.

As my family devoured their dinner, noisily licking their plates clean, I couldn't help but think, "Why hasn't this caught on...everywhere?"

If I had a dollar for every time I thought to make homemade pizza, only to can the idea when I realized I was out of a key ingredient, like the pizza sauce or the mozzarella cheese, I'd surely be a gazillionairre.

Sure, there are work-a-rounds, like making a classic white pizza, or focaccia, and most times we make do with what we have. But to take it to the next level, like this, is something this side of genius.

My husband raved about this pizza, and even gobbled up the two remaining slices for breakfast the next day. Although I can't take credit for this fabulous idea, I am so happy to share my take on this recipe for Mexican Breakfast Pizza. Enjoy!

Mexican Breakfast Pizza

Ingredients:

2 bags pizza dough
2 T. flour
2 T. Cornmeal (for pizza dough crusts)
1 dozen eggs, scrambled (with ¼ c. milk)
1 lb. bacon, baked and crumbled
1 8 oz. bag of cheese; (three cheese blend, cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese melt best)
1 jar salsa, strained
1 fresh jalapeño
1 avocado

*yields two pizzas, feeds six

To prepare:

Set oven to 400 degrees and place bacon slices on a baking or broiling pan. Cook bacon for 15-20 minutes until browned and crunchy. Set aside to cool; crumble or slice into bite sized pieces.

Combine eggs and milk with a wire wisk, and cook over medium heat in a non-stick skillet stirring continuously. Set the scrambled eggs aside.

Spread 1 T of cornmeal on pizza baking sheet, or stone, to keep the dough from sticking.

Add 1 T of flour to the surface of each pizza dough so it doesn't stick to your fingers, and begin stretching it out in a circle to fit your pan.

Add your assorted toppings, starting with the eggs, bacon and strained salsa. This is the fun part-the sky is the limit, use your imagination. Here we used cooked bacon, sliced cherry tomatoes, and one jalapeno.

Now add the cheese, I used an Italian six cheese blend, but anything goes, try mozzarella or cheddar or even a pepper jack cheese.

Place in center rack of preheated 360 degree oven for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. 

A little freshly sliced avocado makes this a slice of Heaven-Serve and Enjoy!