Braided Pizza Loaf

We tried a variation on a recipe I found on Taste of Home last week and we loved it! Of course, chances are that if we didn't, you wouldn't be hearing about it :) We love pizza in all forms and this is very similar to a calzone, just fancier-looking!

Pizza Dough:

3 packages (3 tbsp) active dry yeast
1 tsp. sugar
3/4 cup warm water
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup warm water
2 tbsp. olive oil
cooking spray

Combine first three ingredients in a 2 cup glass measuring cup; let stand five minutes. Combine yeast mixture, flour, and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl; stirring until well-blended. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead five minutes. Place in a bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place, about 30 minutes or until doubled. Punch dough down and knead lightly.

Now you can use frozen pizza dough if you want but by the time you thaw it and let it rise for an hour this is quicker. And you're going to have extra dough with this. So make two pizza loaves or throw half of it in the freezer for later!

Filling:
1 lb. ground beef
1 tsp. each salt, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and basil
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper, optional
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 can (8 oz.)tomato sauce
any mixture of chopped pizza toppings
( I used mushrooms. olives, and pepperoni, but you could also use peppers, onions, Canadian bacon, etc.)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Brown ground beef with seasonings; drain well. Add tomato sauce and pizza toppings. Roll out 1/2 of your pizza dough into a 12 by 18 rectangle. Place filling down the center of dough. Top with both cheeses. On each long side cut the dough into one inch strips. "Braid" the dough across the top of the filling. Bake at 400 degrees until dough is golden, 12-18 minutes.

Enjoy!

And just as a side note, you can make great breadsticks with this dough recipe. After rising, spread dough in a cookie sheet and cover with garlic butter, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese. Bake until dough is cooked and cheese is browned. Slice and serve! Amazing!!