Mashed Potato and Bacon Pizza

I first encountered this unique and utterly delicious pizza at a restaurant called Simple in 
San Diego. I was skeptical.  Potatoes on pizza worried me.  I got the bacon part – salty, smoky meat – perfect!

Upon my first bite I was in love.  The creamy mashed potatoes combined perfectly with the chewy, salty cheese in my mouth.  It was almost like eating scalloped or twice baked potatoes.  The thin, crunchy crust was the perfect vessel to transport this chewy, rich delight.  As well, bacon just makes everything better.

Needless to say I felt compelled to create my own.  It worked perfectly and is super simple to make.  I bought frozen pizza dough at my grocery store.  I am way to lazy to make it from scratch.  The dough (as opposed to baked crusts) works really well. I enjoy a thin crust and can stretch it to any desired thickness.

I’m thinking Super Bowl for this pizza!  It’s a perfectly hearty football food.  The Harbaugh match up should be lots of fun!

Mashed Potato and Bacon Pizza

serves 4 - 6

Ingredients

• 1 16 ounce bag frozen or fresh pizza dough (from grocery or pizzeria)
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 4 slices crumbled cooked bacon
• 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
• mashed potatoes - recipe below*

Cooking Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Bring dough to room temperature and stretch or roll out dough to desired thickness (if rolling use some extra flour).
3. Place on greased or parchment lined baking sheet.
4. Mix olive oil and garlic salt in a small bowl. Brush desired amount onto pizza crust. Top with cheese, dollops of mashed potato and bacon.
5. Bake for 20 minutes or until crust is lightly browned and cheese is bubbling.
6. Garnish with chopped Italian parsley.

*Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

• 3 russet potatoes
• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 1/3 cup low fat milk
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Cooking Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F. Wash and poke potatoes with fork several times.
2. Place potatoes in oven and bake for 1 hour.
3. When potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut in half and scoop out flesh into a medium bowl.
4. Add butter, milk and salt. Mix with potato masher or electric beaters until smooth.

Other Comfort Food Pizza's from FN Dish and Food Network:

Jeanette's Healthy Living: Gluten-Free Grain-Free Mini Pizza Faces
Feed Me Phoebe: Deep-Dish Polenta Pizza With Onions and Pesto
Cooking With Elise: Chicago-Style Deep-Dish Pizza
Haute Apple Pie: Honey, Gouda and Goat Cheese Pizza
What's Gaby Cooking: Loaded Veggie and Prosciutto Pizza
Sweet Life Bake: Mexican Pizza - Tlayuda con Chorizo y Frijoles
Devour: Unexpected but Delicious Pizza Toppings
Virtually Homemade: Mashed Potato Bacon Pizza
The Cultural Dish: Pizza, Pizza, Pizza! Three Delicious Variations 
Thursday Night Dinner: Beet and Goat Cheese Pizza
The Heritage Cook: Gluten-Free Pizza Focaccia
FN Dish: As Quick as Delivery Pizza Recipes