Easy Texas Toast Pizza: The Ultimate Weeknight Dinner Hack for Families

Transform your dinner routine with our incredible **Texas Toast Pizza** recipe! This culinary masterpiece begins with perfectly golden, garlic-infused Texas toast, creating a robust and flavorful base. It’s then generously piled with a rich, saucy ground beef mixture, blanketed with luxurious, melty mozzarella cheese, and topped with delightful miniature pepperoni. More than just a meal, it’s a family-favorite, simple, and satisfying solution for busy weeknights that everyone will adore!

Delicious Texas Toast Pizza with ground beef, melted mozzarella, and mini pepperoni, garnished with fresh herbs, ready to be served.

A Note from the Author

Your New Favorite Pizza Shortcut!

I still vividly remember the first time my college roommate introduced me to the wonders of Texas toast during my sophomore year. It was an instant revelation! The robust garlic flavor and thick, buttery texture of that toast captivated me so much that I might have immediately called my mom, half-jokingly asking why this incredible bread hadn’t been a staple in our childhood home. From that very first bite, I was completely hooked – for me, it became garlic flavor or nothing!

Today’s recipe is a delightful homage to those nostalgic college days, but with a brilliant and practical twist: **Texas Toast Pizza**. Honestly, it doesn’t get much easier or more satisfying than this. This recipe isn’t just a delicious meal; it’s a clever shortcut that brings joy and ease to the dinner table without all the fuss of traditional pizza making. Prepare to be amazed by its simplicity and incredible taste, and perhaps save yourself from a future phone call from your own kids, asking why you kept this magical pizza hack a secret for so long! It’s a culinary secret too good not to share.

Why This Texas Toast Pizza Recipe is Your Next Go-To Dinner

This Texas Toast Pizza isn’t just another dinner idea; it’s a revolutionary game-changer for busy households and anyone craving delicious, homemade pizza without the commitment of making dough from scratch. Here’s why this recipe will quickly become a cherished part of your culinary repertoire, offering both convenience and incredible flavor:

**Unbeatably Quick & Easy:** Say goodbye to long prep times and complicated steps. From the moment you start to the first delicious bite, you can have a piping hot, perfectly crafted Texas Toast Pizza on the table in under 30 minutes. It’s the ultimate solution for those frantic weeknights when every minute counts, offering a quick dinner solution without sacrificing taste.
**Effortlessly Simple Execution:** This recipe is designed with simplicity in mind. Utilizing readily available ingredients and straightforward cooking methods, it’s incredibly accessible for even novice cooks. No special skills or extensive culinary experience required – just follow the steps for a guaranteed delicious outcome.
**Garlic-Infused Flavor Bomb:** The Texas toast base is far more than just bread; it’s a pre-flavored foundation that inherently brings a wonderful garlic butter taste to every single bite. This built-in flavor profile elevates the entire pizza experience, making it richer and more satisfying than a plain crust.
**Family-Friendly & Highly Customizable:** This recipe is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults, making it an ideal family meal. Beyond its universal appeal, it’s incredibly versatile. Each family member can personalize their own Texas Toast Pizza with their favorite toppings, turning mealtime into a fun and engaging activity where everyone gets exactly what they want.
**Budget-Friendly Meal Solution:** Opting for affordable and common ingredients like lean ground beef and frozen Texas toast makes this recipe a cost-effective alternative to expensive takeout or the more elaborate process of traditional homemade pizza, especially when you’re feeding a crowd. It’s smart eating that doesn’t break the bank.
**Minimal Cleanup for Maximum Enjoyment:** We all appreciate fewer dishes. With just a single sheet pan and a large skillet required for preparation, cleanup is an absolute breeze. This means more time to savor your delicious Texas Toast Pizza and less time scrubbing dishes, contributing to an overall stress-free dining experience.

All the fresh and essential ingredients laid out beautifully for making a delicious Texas Toast Pizza, including garlic toast, ground beef, pizza sauce, mozzarella, and seasonings.

Key Ingredients for Your Perfect Texas Toast Pizza

The undeniable appeal of this Texas Toast Pizza recipe lies in its elegant simplicity and the thoughtful selection of its core ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in creating a balanced, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying dish. Understanding these ingredients and their potential swaps allows for both consistency and creative adaptation.

Ingredient	Quick Tips / Smart Swaps for Perfect Pizza
Garlic Texas Toast	This is your flavorful crust foundation and a true time-saver! For an even crisper base, consider slightly par-baking the toast a few minutes longer before you add any toppings. If garlic Texas toast isn’t readily available, a fantastic alternative is to simply brush plain Texas toast generously with melted butter mixed with a good amount of garlic powder or finely minced fresh garlic.
Lean Ground Beef	Opting for lean ground beef (such as 93/7 or 90/10) is recommended as it significantly minimizes excess grease, which results in a cleaner, less oily sauce and prevents a soggy pizza base. For a lighter meal or a different flavor profile, you can easily swap this for ground turkey, ground chicken, or even plant-based crumbles for a delicious vegetarian option. Always ensure to thoroughly drain any accumulated fat after browning to maintain a perfect sauce consistency.
Pizza Sauce	A high-quality, thick pizza sauce is absolutely essential for imparting a deep, rich flavor to your pizza. Any robust marinara sauce will also work wonderfully as a substitute. If you’re in a pinch or prefer a more homemade touch, you can perk up canned tomato sauce with a generous drizzle of good olive oil, a pinch of sugar to balance acidity, and a hearty amount of dried oregano for an authentic Italian taste.
Shredded Mozzarella	Mozzarella cheese is the cornerstone for that signature melty, gooey, and irresistible pizza experience. Part-skim mozzarella is a great option if you’re looking to lighten the dish without sacrificing texture. Don’t hesitate to get creative by mixing in other complementary cheeses like provolone for a sharper flavor, a touch of cheddar for added creaminess, or a sprinkle of Parmesan for saltiness. Grating fresh mozzarella will almost always yield the best melt and stretch.
Mini Pepperoni	While optional, miniature pepperoni adds a delightful savory, slightly spicy kick and visually appealing pops of color to your pizzas. If mini pepperoni isn’t on hand, regular pepperoni can be chopped into smaller pieces, or you can explore other cooked pizza toppings such as crumbled cooked sausage, sautéed bell peppers, or thinly sliced mushrooms for different flavors and textures.
Olive Oil	Used primarily for sautéing the aromatics (onion and garlic) and assisting in browning the beef, olive oil adds a subtle richness to the meat sauce. If you prefer, butter or avocado oil are suitable alternatives that offer similar benefits. If your ground beef is particularly high in fat content, you might even be able to reduce or entirely skip the added oil, letting the beef’s natural fats render.
Italian Seasoning	This blend of aromatic dried herbs is crucial for achieving that quintessential classic Italian pizza flavor profile. If you don’t have a pre-mixed Italian seasoning blend, a simple and effective combination of equal parts dried oregano and dried basil works perfectly. For those who enjoy a little warmth and heat, a pinch of red chili flakes can be added to the seasoning mix for an extra kick.

Mastering the Savory Meat Sauce: Building Layers of Flavor

The robust and savory ground beef topping is what truly elevates this Texas Toast Pizza, transforming it into a hearty and incredibly satisfying meal. While crafting a delicious meat sauce might seem straightforward, a few key techniques can make all the difference, ensuring every bite is packed with maximum flavor and perfect texture:

**The Flavorful Foundation of Aromatics:** Begin by building a strong flavor base. Sauté diced yellow onion in olive oil until it’s beautifully golden brown and translucent. This crucial step brings out the natural sweetness of the onion, creating a rich underlying flavor. Introducing minced garlic in the final 30 seconds of sautéing ensures its fragrant essence is fully released without the risk of burning, which can turn garlic bitter.
**Achieving Perfectly Browned Beef:** When it’s time to add your lean ground beef, ensure your skillet or heavy-bottomed pan is adequately hot – you want it to just start smoking slightly. Adding the meat to a super-hot pan ensures it sears and browns beautifully, rather than steaming. This searing allows for the Maillard reaction to occur, which develops deeper, more complex, and savory flavors in the beef that are essential for a truly delicious meat sauce. Resist the urge to constantly stir the beef as soon as it hits the pan; let it sit undisturbed for a few minutes to form a crust before breaking it up.
**Strategic Seasoning is Key:** After the ground beef is thoroughly browned, it’s vital to drain any excess fat. This prevents your pizza from becoming greasy and ensures the sauce has the right consistency. Once drained, season the beef mixture generously. Beyond simple salt and freshly ground black pepper, the addition of Italian seasoning is paramount here, infusing the meat with a classic blend of Mediterranean herbs that perfectly complement pizza flavors.
**The Right Pizza Sauce Makes a Difference:** Using a high-quality, thick pizza sauce, like the highly recommended Rao’s® brand, makes a significant impact on the overall flavor profile. These premium sauces are often richer, more complex, and come packed with a blend of finely chosen ingredients, reducing the need for additional ingredients and delivering a truly homemade taste. Simmering this quality sauce with the browned beef and seasonings allows all the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a cohesive and mouthwatering topping.

Step-by-step process of preparing Texas Toast Pizza: showing stages of browning ground beef, mixing with sauce and seasonings, then topping the pre-baked Texas toast slices.

Expert Tips for a Flawless Texas Toast Pizza Experience

While this Texas Toast Pizza recipe is inherently simple, a few expert tips can elevate your homemade pizza from good to absolutely perfect, ensuring a crispy crust and a flavorful topping every single time:

**Select the Freshest Ground Beef:** Always prioritize choosing ground beef with the furthest “sell-by” date available. This ensures optimal freshness, better flavor development, and a higher quality texture for your meat sauce. A small detail like this can noticeably impact the overall deliciousness of your pizza.
**Ensure a Scorching Hot Pan for Searing:** When you’re ready to brown your ground beef, preheat your cast iron skillet or any heavy-bottomed pan until it just begins to smoke ever so slightly. Adding the meat to a super-hot pan is crucial for achieving a beautiful sear and browning, rather than just steaming the meat. This high heat initiates the Maillard reaction, developing rich, deep, savory flavors that are essential for an outstanding meat sauce.
**Allow the Beef to Sear Uninterrupted:** Resist the common urge to immediately break up and stir the ground beef as soon as it hits the hot pan. Instead, allow it to sit undisturbed for a couple of minutes to develop a delicious, caramelized crust on one side. This critical step significantly contributes to the richness and depth of flavor in your meat sauce. Constant, early stirring will prevent this browning, leading to a duller taste and a gray, unappetizing appearance.
**Serve Immediately for Peak Crispness:** Texas Toast Pizzas are at their absolute best when enjoyed straight out of the oven. The crispy toast base can soften quite quickly once the hot, saucy, and cheesy toppings are added. To ensure everyone experiences the perfect blend of crunchy toast and melty, savory toppings, make sure to call everyone to the table the moment they are ready!
**Avoid Overloading the Toast with Toppings:** While it’s tempting to pile on a mountain of sauce and cheese, exercise restraint. An excessive amount of toppings, especially a watery sauce, can easily make the Texas toast soggy, compromising that desirable crisp texture. A balanced approach ensures every bite is structurally sound and perfectly flavored without being weighed down.
**Consider Extra Pre-Baking for Ultra-Crispness:** For an even sturdier and extra-crispy crust that stands up magnificently to the hearty toppings, consider pre-baking your Texas toast for an additional 5-7 minutes longer than the recipe suggests before you add any of the delicious toppings. This creates a firmer, more resilient base that guarantees a delightful crunch in every bite.

Process shots of assembling and baking Texas Toast Pizza: applying pizza sauce, ground beef, Italian seasoning, topping with mozzarella and pepperoni, and final baking.

Since these Texas Toast Pizzas come together so quickly and are incredibly satisfying on their own, you might not want to spend a lot of time on elaborate side dishes. However, if you’re looking to round out your meal or add a touch of freshness, here are a few simple and delicious suggestions that pair wonderfully with your homemade pizza, keeping the ease and speed theme alive.

Texas Toast Pizza Serving Suggestions to Complete Your Meal

**Effortless Roasted Veggie Sides:** Complement your hearty Texas Toast Pizza with light and healthy roasted vegetables. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness and adds a lovely caramelized texture. Try making Roasted Broccoli, tender Roasted Sweet Potatoes, crisp-tender Parmesan Asparagus, or savory Parmesan Brussels Sprouts. A fantastic bonus is that you can often roast these vegetables at the same temperature as your pizzas, maximizing efficiency and saving time. Alternatively, an air fryer can cook these veggies even faster, making meal prep an absolute breeze.
**Quick & Refreshing Salad Options:** A vibrant, fresh salad provides an excellent textural and flavor contrast to the rich and savory pizza. Consider a crisp Olive Garden-style Cucumber Salad, a rustic Panzanella Salad with its delightful bread chunks, a tangy Greek Salad, or a protein-packed Avocado Quinoa Salad. For the ultimate in convenience, simply grab a pre-made salad kit from your local grocery store, like a classic Caesar salad, and toss it together.
**Simple Fresh Fruit Selections:** For a light, sweet, and no-cook option that acts as a perfect palate cleanser, a bowl of fresh fruit is ideal. Juicy watermelon, sweet cantaloupe slices, or a bunch of crisp grapes offer a refreshing and hydrating contrast after enjoying the savory richness of the pizza. Berries or sliced apples also make wonderful quick additions.

Creative Variations

Elevate Your Texas Toast Pizza: Endless Delicious Variations

The true brilliance of Texas Toast Pizza lies not only in its ease and speed but also in its incredible adaptability. This recipe serves as a perfect canvas for your culinary creativity, allowing you to customize your pizzas with exciting new flavors and textures. Feel free to unleash your imagination and experiment with these delightful variations:

**Beyond Traditional Texas Toast:** While garlic Texas toast offers a phenomenal and convenient base, don’t feel limited! I’ve had fantastic results using **toasted brioche buns** for a richer, slightly sweeter crust that offers a delightful contrast to savory toppings. Thick slices of crusty **sourdough bread** can provide a tangy twist, or even robust **ciabatta bread** can work well. The key is to choose a sturdy bread that can hold up to the toppings and to pre-bake it for crispness.
**Topping Transformations for Every Palate:** The ground beef mixture is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes.
- **For the Meat Lover:** Amp up the meat factor by adding cooked crumbled Italian sausage (mild or spicy for an extra kick), crispy bits of bacon, shredded cooked chicken, or even sliced cooked ham.
- **For the Vegetable Enthusiast:** Integrate a medley of sautéed vegetables for added nutrients, color, and flavor. Think colorful bell peppers, earthy mushrooms, pungent black olives, thinly sliced red onions, or wilted spinach. Just ensure any watery vegetables are cooked down first to prevent excess moisture from making the crust soggy.
- **For a Spicy Kick:** For those who enjoy a bit of heat, sprinkle red pepper flakes into the meat sauce or add a few slices of fresh or pickled jalapeños to your pizza before baking.
- **Hawaiian Inspired:** Create a sweet and savory sensation by adding small cubes of pineapple and thinly sliced cooked ham to your pizza.
- **Mediterranean Flair:** Top with crumbled feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and fresh oregano after baking.
**Inventive Cheese Combinations:** While mozzarella is the quintessential pizza cheese for its classic melt, blending different cheeses can introduce exciting new dimensions of flavor and texture.
- **For Enhanced Richness:** Mix in provolone for a sharper, more complex melt, smoked gouda for a smoky depth, or Fontina for an exceptionally creamy texture.
- **For a Tangy Kick:** A sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese can add a lovely tang and unique flavor, while grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano will impart a salty, nutty bite.
- **For a Bit of Heat:** Incorporate a small amount of pepper jack cheese for a subtle, warming spice.
- **For an Ultra-Creamy Texture:** Consider adding dollops of ricotta cheese before the mozzarella for pockets of creamy delight.
**Explore Different Sauce Bases:** Don’t limit yourself to traditional red pizza sauce!
- **BBQ Chicken Pizza:** Use your favorite tangy BBQ sauce as the base, replace ground beef with shredded cooked chicken, and top with red onion slices and fresh cilantro after baking.
- **Creamy White Pizza:** Skip the red sauce entirely and use a creamy Alfredo sauce as your base, or simply a garlic-infused olive oil brushed onto the toast, topped with ricotta and mozzarella.
- **Pesto Base:** For a fresh, herbaceous flavor, spread a thin layer of pesto before adding other toppings.
**Fresh Herbaceous Finish:** After baking, a final sprinkle of fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or parsley over the hot pizzas can add a burst of vibrant flavor and appealing color. A light drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil or a sweet-tangy balsamic glaze can also add a sophisticated touch.

Explore More Delicious Pizza Recipes:

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Overhead shot of a beautifully baked Texas Toast Pizza with perfectly melted cheese, savory ground beef, and mini pepperoni, garnished with fresh herbs.

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Texas Toast Pizza Recipe

By
Chelsea Lords

This Texas Toast Pizza combines garlicky Texas toast with a savory ground beef sauce, melty mozzarella, and mini pepperoni for an incredibly quick, easy, and satisfying family meal!

Prep Time:

15

Cook Time:

15

Total Time:

30

Servings:

4 servings

Recipe Video Guide

Equipment Needed

Large sheet pan (approximately 15″ x 21″)
Large Skillet or Pan (e.g., cast iron for best searing)

Ingredients

Cooking spray
1 (11.25-ounce) package frozen garlic Texas toast (approximately 8 slices)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup diced yellow onion
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 pound lean ground beef (e.g., 93/7 for less fat, ensuring less grease)
1 (13-ounce) jar Rao’s® pizza sauce (highly recommended for its superior flavor and thickness)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Miniature pepperoni (optional, adds a delightful savory bite)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste, for seasoning the meat sauce)

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Texas Toast Pizza

**1. Prepare the Texas Toast Base:** Begin by preheating your oven to a robust 425°F (220°C). This high temperature is crucial for achieving that perfectly crisp texture. Lightly grease a large sheet pan with cooking spray to prevent any sticking and to encourage a golden-brown finish on the bottom of your toast. Arrange the frozen garlic Texas Toast slices on the prepared pan, ensuring each piece has ample space around it for even air circulation and uniform cooking. Bake for precisely 5 minutes; this initial pre-baking step is key to creating a sturdy, crispy base that will not become soggy once the delicious toppings are added.
**2. Craft the Savory Meat Sauce:** While the Texas toast is in the oven, begin preparing your incredibly flavorful meat sauce. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a large skillet or pan and heat it over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Once hot, add the diced yellow onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, for about 5–7 minutes, until it becomes beautifully golden brown and translucent, softening and releasing its sweet aroma. Next, add the minced garlic and continue to sauté for another 30 seconds, or until it becomes wonderfully fragrant – be vigilant to prevent it from burning, which can turn it bitter. Introduce the lean ground beef to the pan and cook, breaking it up and crumbling it as you go, until it is thoroughly browned. Season the beef generously to taste (a good starting point is approximately ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper). Crucially, drain any excess fat from the pan to ensure your sauce isn’t greasy. Finally, stir in the entire 13-ounce jar of Rao’s® pizza sauce (or your chosen thick marinara) and the Italian seasoning. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce is warmed through and all the robust flavors have had a chance to meld together beautifully. Taste and adjust for seasoning as needed, adding more salt or pepper if desired. Remove the pan from the heat.
**3. Assemble and Bake Your Pizzas:** Carefully remove the pre-baked Texas toast from the oven. Divide the delicious, savory meat sauce evenly among each piece of toast, spreading it gently to the edges of the bread. Then, sprinkle approximately 2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese generously over each individual pizza. If you’re incorporating miniature pepperoni, scatter them artfully on top of the cheese. Return the sheet pan with your assembled pizzas to the oven and bake for an additional 5–10 minutes, or until the cheese is perfectly melted, bubbly, and slightly golden at the edges, indicating peak deliciousness. Remove the pizzas from the oven immediately and serve them hot for the best possible crispy texture and truly melty, savory goodness! Enjoy your quick and satisfying homemade Texas Toast Pizza!

Recipe Notes & Essential Tips for Success

**Choosing the Right Pizza Sauce for Maximum Flavor:** We cannot stress enough the importance of using Rao’s® pizza sauce for this recipe. Its exceptional quality, deep, intense, and authentic Italian flavor, combined with its thick, hearty texture, truly elevates the taste of these pizzas, making them feel genuinely homemade and gourmet. This premium sauce is packed with natural ingredients like whole peeled tomatoes, sweet cherry tomatoes, rich olive oil, savory onions, carrots, aromatic oregano, fresh garlic, and basil, which significantly reduces the need for additional seasonings and ingredients in your meat sauce, simplifying the process without compromising on taste.

**Nutritional Information Disclaimer:** Please note that the provided nutrition information is automatically calculated and serves only as an approximation. It is designed to offer a general guideline and does not include optional toppings like pepperoni or any other additional ingredients you might choose to add. For precise and accurate nutritional values, it is highly recommended to calculate based on the specific brands, exact quantities, and any substitutions of ingredients you personally use in your preparation.

**Storage & Reheating Leftovers:** Should you be fortunate enough to have any delightful leftovers, store your Texas Toast Pizzas in a gallon-sized airtight bag or a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days to maintain freshness. For the absolute best results when reheating, we strongly recommend using an oven or an air fryer. This method helps to restore some of that original crispness to the Texas toast, preventing it from becoming soggy. Avoid reheating in a microwave, as this will almost certainly result in a soft, unappealing crust.

Nutrition Facts (Approximate per serving)

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Toast Pizza

Q: Can I use different types of bread instead of Texas Toast?

A: Absolutely! While garlic Texas toast provides a unique and flavorful base, you can certainly experiment with other sturdy bread options. Thick slices of Italian bread, French bread, or even brioche buns can work wonderfully. The most important tip is to pre-bake them slightly before adding toppings. This helps to dry them out and crisp them up, ensuring they’re firm enough to hold the toppings and achieve a delightfully crispy texture.

Q: How do I prevent the Texas Toast Pizza from getting soggy?

A: The key to preventing a soggy crust is a two-fold approach. First, proper pre-baking of the Texas toast before adding any toppings is crucial; this helps to dry out the bread and create a crisp foundation. Second, ensure your meat sauce isn’t overly watery; draining any excess fat from the ground beef after browning is very important. Also, be mindful not to overload each slice of toast with too much sauce or cheese. Serving the pizzas immediately after they come out of the oven also helps to maintain their optimal crispness.

Q: Can I make this Texas Toast Pizza vegetarian?

A: Yes, this recipe is incredibly adaptable for vegetarian diets! To make it vegetarian, simply swap the lean ground beef for plant-based crumbles, or use a delicious mixture of finely diced and sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant. You could also create a wonderful meat-free option by using a rich marinara sauce as the base, topped with roasted vegetables, your favorite blend of cheeses, and perhaps a sprinkle of fresh herbs.

Q: What are the best cheese blends for Texas Toast Pizza?

A: Mozzarella cheese is an essential component for its classic melty, gooey quality that defines pizza. For an added layer of depth and flavor, try combining mozzarella with a little provolone for a sharper, tangier note, or a touch of grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano for a nutty, savory bite. A small amount of white cheddar can also introduce a pleasant creaminess. Remember, freshly grated cheese generally melts much better and more evenly than pre-shredded varieties.

Q: Can I freeze leftover Texas Toast Pizza?

A: While technically possible, freezing is generally not the ideal method for storing Texas Toast Pizza if you want to maintain its signature crispy texture. The bread base tends to become quite soft and potentially soggy upon thawing and reheating. For shorter storage, it’s best enjoyed fresh or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you’re looking to meal prep, consider freezing individual components like the cooked meat sauce separately, then assembling and baking fresh pizzas when you’re ready to eat.