Yummy pizza rice

Using tomato rice as a base with a pizza topping makes this hybrid recipe a winner

pizza ready close-up

Using tomato rice as a base with a pizza topping makes this hybrid recipe a winner

AuthorHungry PandaCategoryDifficultyBeginner

Yields3 Servings
Prep Time20 minsCook Time35 minsTotal Time55 mins

FOR THE FRIED RICE
 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
 5 cloves garlic, quartered
 ¾ tsp onion powder
 ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
 ½ tsp salt
 ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
 ¾ tsp Italian seasoning
 2 tbsp tomato paste
  tsp freshly ground nutmeg (optional)
 3 rice measuring cups cooked rice
 ½ cup freshly grated parmesan
 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
FOR THE SAUCE
 (400ml) crushed tomatoes
 1 large clove garlic, grated
 ¼ tsp coarsely ground black pepper
 1 tsp salt
 ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
 1 tbsp granulated sugar
FOR THE TOPPING
 1 cup mozzarella, shredded or whole
 ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan
 ½ cup pepperoni (non veg option)
 handful fresh basil leaves

HOW TO MAKE
1

Make the plain rice first then in a 24cm oven-safe pan over medium heat add 1 tbsp oil. Then add garlic, onion, pepper, salt, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning, and cook until garlic turns golden (around 2 minutes).

2

Add tomato paste and cook until slightly caramelised (about 1 minute). Add nutmeg, remaining 1 tbsp oil, and rice, and cook until rice begins to turn slightly crispy, about 8 minutes. Reduce heat to the lowest setting, then stir in 1⁄2 cup parmesan and sesame seeds (if using) until well combined.

3

Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F. To make the sauce, stir together all the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl until well combined.

4

To assemble the ’pizza’: in a deep’ish pan spread 1⁄2 cup tomato sauce over fried rice in an even layer, then sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan evenly across, and top with pepperoni.

5

Transfer the pan to the oven and bake until the cheese is melty and edges are golden (about 10 minutes. Garnish with basil before serving.

Ingredients

FOR THE FRIED RICE
 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
 5 cloves garlic, quartered
 ¾ tsp onion powder
 ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
 ½ tsp salt
 ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
 ¾ tsp Italian seasoning
 2 tbsp tomato paste
  tsp freshly ground nutmeg (optional)
 3 rice measuring cups cooked rice
 ½ cup freshly grated parmesan
 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
FOR THE SAUCE
 (400ml) crushed tomatoes
 1 large clove garlic, grated
 ¼ tsp coarsely ground black pepper
 1 tsp salt
 ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
 1 tbsp granulated sugar
FOR THE TOPPING
 1 cup mozzarella, shredded or whole
 ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan
 ½ cup pepperoni (non veg option)
 handful fresh basil leaves

Directions

HOW TO MAKE
1

Make the plain rice first then in a 24cm oven-safe pan over medium heat add 1 tbsp oil. Then add garlic, onion, pepper, salt, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning, and cook until garlic turns golden (around 2 minutes).

2

Add tomato paste and cook until slightly caramelised (about 1 minute). Add nutmeg, remaining 1 tbsp oil, and rice, and cook until rice begins to turn slightly crispy, about 8 minutes. Reduce heat to the lowest setting, then stir in 1⁄2 cup parmesan and sesame seeds (if using) until well combined.

3

Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F. To make the sauce, stir together all the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl until well combined.

4

To assemble the ’pizza’: in a deep’ish pan spread 1⁄2 cup tomato sauce over fried rice in an even layer, then sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan evenly across, and top with pepperoni.

5

Transfer the pan to the oven and bake until the cheese is melty and edges are golden (about 10 minutes. Garnish with basil before serving.

Notes

Yummy pizza rice

An oven and pan cooking is really needed for parts of this recipe to get the crispiness associated with pizza to happen. This recipe is ideal for gluten free diets or anyone who wants to reduce the amount of bread / dough in their meals. For the meat eaters you can add pepperoni, chicken, beef or fish and go to town for a protein hit.