Zucchini Pizza Slices with Orzo

Ricardo found this idea from a Facebook page we follow called Foodies TV.  I get many ideas for meals and desserts from this page!  So, I have tried a few different ways to get him and the kids to eat zucchini, because I just absolutely LOVE it and think they should too!  Haha!  So, he suggested I try this recipe, since he is a pizza maniac, and maybe he would be able to eat zucchini...

I went to Pinterest and that's where I found the recipe that I basically followed, of course doing a few things differently, but here is the original recipe if you want to check it out:  Zucchini Pizza Boats.

End result:  I got the kids to eat zucchini AND my picky man thought it was absolutely delicious!  I loved it as well, but I am a food fanatic and pretty much love everything.  Successful dish and pretty simple!

Zucchini Pizza Slices with Orzo

Zucchini- 

(This first time I used 2 zucchinis and was able to get four slices from each one.  It depends on how thick you want your slices.)

Olive oil

Minced garlic (fresh or jarred)

Black pepper

Italian bread crumbs

Oregano

Pizza sauce (fresh or jarred)

Shredded mozzarella cheese

Pepperoni

*Any other pizza toppings

Orzo pasta

Butter

Milk

Garlic salt

Parsley

Grated Parmesan cheese

-Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.  Start to boil water for the orzo.

-Cut the ends off of the zucchini and peel about two strips from opposite sides of the zucchini to create flat surfaces on each side.

- Although in the recipe it says just to cut each zucchini in half, I went with thinner strips in an attempt to not overwhelm my hesitant zucchini eaters!  I was able to get 4 pretty thin slices from each zucchini.

-Mix olive oil, minced garlic, and black pepper together. (Yes, that is a baby spoon!  I love using baby spoons when I cook to work with small amounts!)

-Spread this mixture over zucchini slices.

-Sprinkle bread crumbs on zucchini slices over olive oil spread.











-Spread pizza sauce over slices.


-Add cheese to slices.


-Sprinkle oregano over each slice.



-You can use mini pepperoni slices or regular sized pepperoni for the pizza.  I went ahead and cut the pepperoni slices in half to fit better on the zucchini.




-I did this part while zucchini was baking...

-Cook orzo and drain water.  
-Return orzo to pot and add (*again, I apologize for my bad habits of not measuring when I cook!) about two tablespoons of butter and two pours of milk.  Mix until butter is melted.
-Shake garlic salt, Parmesan cheese, and parsley into pasta and mix.  Add more to taste.
-You may want to add more milk or butter.  I like it to form a slightly creamy/cheesy sauce.




-Bake the zucchini at 400 degrees for 10 to 15 mins- it depends how cooked (crispy or tender) you want your zucchini.  Keep an eye on it!

-Serve beside or on top of the orzo pasta and ENJOY!




.eatmorezucchini.<3LML.