Thick ‘n’ Chewy Pizza

Ingredients

• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water (105 degrees to 115 degrees)
• 1 egg
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce, divided
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, divided
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 pound ground beef
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 (4 ounce) can mushroom stems and pieces, drained
• 1/3 cup chopped stuffed olives
• 1/4 cup chopped green pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add egg, 1/4 cup tomato sauce, oil, sugar, salt, chili powder and 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce; beat until smooth. Add 1 cup flour; beat for 1 minute. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.

Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

Meanwhile, in a lARGE skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Remove from the heat; stir in onion, mushrooms, olives, green pepper and remaining tomato sauce and hot pepper sauce.

Punch dough down; turn once onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 14-in. X 9-in. Rectangle. Place in a greased 15-in. X 10-in. X 1-in. Baking pan. Brush with butter. Top with meat mixture; sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes or until crust is lightly browned and cheese is melted.