PIZZA AND FOOTBALL RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Unroll dough on cookie sheet; starting at center, press out dough into 14x12-inch rectangle. Brush dough with olive oil; bake 7 minutes.
• Spread pizza sauce evenly over crust; top with mozzarella cheese and parsley. Arrange pepperoni in football shape on center of pizza (see photo). Cut string cheese lengthwise into 4 strips (save 2 for another use). To make football laces, place 1 strip horizontally on center of football. Cut remaining strip into 5 pieces; arrange vertically on top of horizontal strip.
• Bake 10 to 13 minutes longer or until crust is deep golden brown and cheese is melted and bubbly. To serve, cut into 4 rows by 4 rows, making 16 pieces.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350° and line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, mozzarella, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, mini pepperoni, black olives, pizza sauce, bell pepper, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Roll one sheet crescent dough out on prepared baking sheet, and pinch seams together to seal. Place cheese mixture in the center then use your hands to form mixture into a large football shape. Place second sheet of crescent dough on top and press lightly to wrap dough around football. Pinch together seams then press around the bottom edges to seal. Using a paring knife, trace around the football to remove excess dough. (Reserve scraps to shape the laces.) Cut the scraps into football laces and lay in center of football. Brush all over with olive oil then sprinkle with oregano and remaining Parmesan. Bake until golden, about 25 minutes. Serve warm with crackers or bread.