MAIN DISH: ITALIAN PIZZA SKILLET (click here to print)

Italian Pizza Skillet

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. fresh mild or hot Italian sausage, casings removed
• 5 oz. pepperoni, sliced very thick (about 20 thick slices)
• 1 green and 1 red bell pepper, sliced 
• 1/2 small onion, diced
• 6 oz. fresh mushrooms (if desired)
• 6 oz. black olives (if desired)
• Handful of sliced banana peppers (if desired)
• 1/3 C fresh parmesan cheese
• 1/2 C shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2-3/4 C dry white wine
• 2 T olive oil
• 1 tsp. dried basil (or 3 T fresh chopped basil)
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder (or 1 T chopped fresh garlic)
• 1 T tomato paste 
• 2 tsp. balsamic vinegar (optional)

Directions:

1. Place olive oil, onions and garlic in a pan (I used a dutch oven) over medium heat. Sautee for a minute or two.

2. Add in the sausage, crumbling it up as it cooks. About halfway through the sausage cooking, add in the pepperoni slices. Continue to cook for about 10 minutes over medium heat. 

3. When the sausage is all brown, add in the mushrooms, peppers, olives, banana peppers, basil and vinegar. Stir well.

4. Cook the mixture well. It's OK if some sticks to the bottom of the pan (that's flavor, baby!). 

5. When the veggies have softened and most of the water from the vegetables has evaporated, turn heat to medium-high and deglaze pan with white wine (I used a Pinot Grigio). Stir well and cook wine down mostly, then add in the tomato paste. Stir well to distribute the tomato paste. 

6. Add in the parmesan, then continue to simmer the mixture over medium high heat for about two minutes, or until the cheese melts. 

7. Turn heat to low and top mixture with shredded mozzarella. Allow to melt, then serve. 

Makes 6 servings. 3g net carbs per serving.

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