This is seriously one of the easiest and fastest “hot lunch” recipes you can make to feed hungry bellies. With a loaf of bread and some pantry staples you can have lunch – or a snack – on the table in under 15 minutes. My oldest sous chef came home the other day and needed her hollow leg filled. After plowing through cookies, ice cream, frozen peas (not kidding), croutons and then trying to make herself a smoothie, I cried Uncle and made her some pizza. Grocery store run averted; for now.

Recipe

• 1 loaf of French or Italian bread, baguette or ciabatta roll
• 6 TBS pasta sauce
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (I used colby jack because it’s what I had)
• 1/4 cup shredded parmesan
• Pepperoni – optional

Preheat oven to 350.

Take your loaf or roll and cut it in half length wise. Spread the pasta sauce across each piece of bread. Sprinkle the Italian seasoning on both sides. Next up – add the cheese – as much or as little as you’d like, and if using, top with pepperoni.

Pop into the oven and cook for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melty and golden. Cut into “slices” and serve with more sauce, a drizzle of ranch (as seen above) or some hot pepper flakes.

Bon Appetit!