What happens if you cross meatloaf with pizza? You get Meatza… okay, you get food legend James Beard's "Hamburger Pizza," a dish that always delighted his party guests because his "pizza" had no dough. This dish put us in such a good mood, we decided to make up one of our own for parties. It rocks—because it includes a layer of Parmesan mashed potatoes under the tomato sauce and toppings.
We also have some holiday party wines to recommend (listed below), affordable wines for a crowd, and some bubbly for a dinner party or romantic dinner for two.
No Bread Meatza (Hamburger Pizza)
(Make it any size you want)
INGREDIENTS:
1½ pounds ground beef
? cup dry breadcrumbs (or gluten free)
¼ cup tomato sauce
1 egg
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
? cup finely minced onion
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon basil or oregano
Butter for greasing
½ cup tomato sauce
3 slices mozarella cheese
4 anchovy fillets (optional)
12 Kalamata olives, pitted
¼ cup grated ParmesanoReggiano cheese
Optional: Parmesan mashed potatoes
Additional basil or oregano
INSTRUCTIONS:
(Note: Double this and use a sheet pan. Or use jarred pasta sauce you love. Feel free to use your own favorite pizza toppings, ground turkey instead of beef—have fun with it!)
- Combine the meat, crumbs, ¼ cup tomato sauce, egg, garlic, onion, and seasonings. Blend lightly but thoroughly.
- Butter a square of aluminum foil, place the mixture on it, and mold into a flat round cake until it looks like a medium size pizza. Shape a rim on the foil to keep the sauce from spilling over. (If using leftover mashed potatoes, spread a layer on top of the hamburger mixture.) Spread with ½ cup tomato sauce, slices of cheese, anchovy, and olives. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and more basil and oregano to your taste.
- Slide the "pizza" onto a cookie sheet, foil and all. Bake at 450° about 15 minutes, or a bit less if you prefer your meat pink.
Faith's Recommended Party Wines at Around $15
If these wines are not on the shelf at your local wine store, please show them the ones you like and say the distributor is Frederick Wildman & Sons.
Lamberti Rosé Sparkler
Attitude Sauvignon Blanc (white)
Don David Cabernet (red)
Coquito Competition in New Haven
Friday, December 6
7 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Kelly's Pub, 196 Crown Street, New Haven, CT
Salsa music and dancing
$30 per ticket
Parking, Temple Street Garage
For entrees or ticket information (203) 469-4536
(Coquito is the treasured eggnog of the Puerto Rican community. Most recipes are family secrets.)
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GUESTS:
- Chris Prosperi - senior contributor and chef/owner, Metro Bis, Simsbury
- Mark Raymond - Frederick Wildman & Sons Importers
