Pizza Soup & Easy Cheesy French Bread

When I first heard of "Pizza Soup" I thought it sounded gross. Who would want to eat soggy pizza? Well, this is FAR from THAT. I stumbled across this recipe a few years ago and after looking over the ingredients list, I thought it sounded pretty promising. Was I right? Oh yes. I was right.


Pizza Soup

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 pound sweet Italian sausage
1/4 pound piece stick pepperoni, diced (I use the already sliced kind and cut into quarters)
1 ham steak, diced (about 1/2 to 3/4 pound)
1 green bell pepper, seeded, quartered and sliced
1 medium yellow onion, peeled, quartered and sliced
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 lb short-cut pasta (I use Fiori - the little round flower-shaped kind but any kind will do)
Directions:

Place a soup pot or deep sided skillet on the stove top and preheat to medium high heat. Add olive oil and the sausage. Brown and crumble the sausage, drain off excess fat if necessary then add the ham and pepperoni. Cook meats together 2 minutes then add peppers and onions and cook 2 or 3 minutes more. Add diced tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Add chicken stock, red pepper flakes and oregano and bring to a boil. Stir in pasta and cook for 8 minutes. Top with freshly grated parmesan, if desired.

And because I'm feeling extra generous today...here's a french bread recipe that works great with the soup.

Easy-Cheesy French Bread

Heat oven to 375 degrees

3 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 pound bacon - cooked crisp and crumbled (please, please please...NO BACON BITS!!)
1 - 2 cups mayo
1/2 small red sweet onion - finely chopped (optional...but oh so good.)
If you're really feeling crazy....add about 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1 16-ounce loaf french bread - split horizontally

Combine cheese, bacon, mayo and optional onion in a bowl. Spread onto split french bread and cook in 375 oven until hot and bubbly...maybe 20 - 30 minutes. Let cool and slice diagonally and serve with Pizza Soup.

Here's what ya need for the soup...

...and here's what ya need for the bread...

..and here's something so good you'll want to sit down and cry.