BLT Pizza

My time with the Kraft Foods and Sam’s Club Dinner Planner is almost wrapping up, and today I’m sharing one of the more fun recipes from the plan, this BLT Pizza. It has really been a great experience to be part of this program and try out some new meal ideas along the way.

In case you missed it, I was one of five bloggers selected by Kraft Foods to participate in the Kraft Foods and Sam’s Club Two-Week Dinner Planner program. I was compensated for my time in the program, which included my trip to Sam’s Club, my experience using the two-week dinner planner, and the posts I’ve shared about it. I was also compensated for the groceries purchased for the planner. As always, though, all opinions shared here are completely my own, and I was not paid to give a positive review.

Even though my official time using the planner is coming to an end, I’ll still be sharing my thoughts and experiences with the recipes throughout July. I’ve enjoyed getting to test these meals out and see how they work for my family in real life.

Now on to the pizza!

This BLT Pizza was definitely one of the more creative recipes in the planner. It starts with a DiGiorno Four Cheese Pizza, then gets topped after baking with classic BLT flavors like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, crumbled bacon, and ranch dressing. It’s a simple idea, but it really transforms a basic frozen pizza into something fresh, different, and a little unexpected.

I personally thought it was a fun change from our usual pizza night. The warm, cheesy pizza paired with the cool lettuce and tomatoes gives it that BLT feel, while the bacon and ranch tie it all together. It’s one of those recipes that feels easy but is still a little special.

Now, I will say this one wasn’t exactly a hit with the whole family. My family loves pizza, but they are not big tomato fans, and they also thought the idea of putting lettuce on top of pizza sounded a little strange. Since I knew this might be the reaction, I made two pizzas for dinner and served the BLT toppings on the side so everyone could build their own slice however they wanted.

That ended up being the best way to serve it at my house. Everyone was happy to pile on the bacon, of course, but most of them stopped there. I, on the other hand, added all the toppings and really enjoyed it. I thought it was a tasty and fresh twist on pizza, and I liked having something a little different from the usual pepperoni or sausage. It may not have won over the whole family, but it was still a fun recipe to try and one I was glad I got to experience.

Ingredients for BLT Pizza

• DI GIORNO RISING CRUST PIZZA – FOUR CHEESE (OR SIMILAR CHEESE PIZZA LIKE FRESCHETTA)
• LETTUCE
• TOMATOES
• OSCAR MAYER BACON
• RANCH DRESSING

Instructions for BLT Pizza

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Place the pizza in the oven and bake it according to the package directions until the crust is hot and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Once the pizza is fully baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool for just a minute or two. This helps keep the fresh toppings crisp and makes it easier to slice.

Before serving, top the pizza with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, crumbled bacon, and a drizzle of ranch dressing. Slice and serve right away for a fun pizza twist with all the flavors of a classic BLT.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different frozen pizza for this recipe?
Yes. A cheese pizza works best as the base, but you can use any frozen pizza you like. Just keep in mind that a pizza with too many extra toppings may compete with the fresh BLT toppings added at the end.

Do I add the lettuce and tomatoes before or after baking?
The lettuce and tomatoes should be added after the pizza is baked. This keeps them fresh and crisp and gives the pizza that classic BLT flavor.

Can I use Romaine instead of shredded lettuce?
Yes, romaine is a great option because it stays crisp and has good texture. Iceberg lettuce also works well if you want that classic BLT crunch.

What kind of tomatoes should I use?
Any ripe tomato will work, but Roma tomatoes are a great choice because they are less watery. Diced garden tomatoes can also be used if that’s what you have on hand.

Can I make this recipe with homemade pizza dough?
Yes. If you prefer, you can use homemade pizza dough and bake your own cheese pizza first. Then just add the BLT toppings after baking.

What dressing works best on BLT pizza?
Ranch dressing is a great choice because it pairs well with the bacon, lettuce, and tomato. You could also try a drizzle of mayo-based dressing if you want a more traditional BLT flavor.

How do I keep the pizza from getting soggy?
Be sure to add the lettuce, tomatoes, and dressing right before serving. Using tomatoes with less moisture, like Roma tomatoes, also helps keep the crust from getting soggy.

Can I make this pizza ahead of time?
You can bake the pizza and prep the toppings ahead of time, but it’s best to assemble it just before serving. That way the lettuce stays crisp and fresh.

Can I add other toppings to this pizza?
Yes. Avocado, red onion, or even shredded chicken would all be tasty additions depending on what your family likes.

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Tips and Tricks

• Use a plain cheese pizza as the base for this recipe. It lets the fresh BLT toppings really stand out without competing with other flavors.
• Be sure to bake the pizza completely first before adding any of the toppings. The lettuce, tomatoes, and ranch should all go on after baking so they stay fresh and crisp.
• Let the pizza cool for a minute or two before topping it. If it’s too hot, the lettuce can wilt quickly and the ranch may slide right off.
• For the best texture, use crisp shredded lettuce like romaine or iceberg. Both give that fresh crunch you want in a BLT.
• Choose Roma tomatoes or other less juicy tomatoes if possible. They help keep the pizza from getting too watery.
• Cook the bacon until it is nice and crisp. Crispy bacon adds the best texture and gives the pizza that classic BLT flavor.
• If you are serving picky eaters, try putting the toppings out buffet-style and let everyone build their own slice. This works especially well for families with different tastes.
• Drizzle the ranch on just before serving so the pizza stays as fresh as possible. You can also serve extra ranch on the side for dipping.
• For easier slicing, cut the pizza first and then add toppings to each slice. This can keep the lettuce and tomatoes from sliding around as you cut.

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