Eggplant Pizza

Eggplant pizza is the perfect after-school or late-night snack. Super easy to make and also healthy!

Ingredients:

• 1 large eggplant
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon light olive oil
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 sweet Italian sausage 

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 cup Spicy Ragu Italian Tomato Sauce
• 2 teaspoons Tostito's Hot Salsa
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning 
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, minced

Instructions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Cut off both ends of eggplant. Cut remaining eggplant in 3/4 inch slices.
3. Place eggplant slices on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt. Let eggplant sit for 15 minutes while the salt dries out the eggplant. 
4. Meanwhile, start making the sauce. In a medium-sized saucepan, heat two teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high heat. Add garlic to saucepan and saute for about one minute or until flagrant.
5. Add tomato sauce, salsa, onion, Italian seasoning and cayenne pepper to saucepan. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat. Simmer until sauce is needed for eggplant slices.
6. After the 15 minutes has passed, wipe eggplant slices dry with a paper towel. 
7. Spray a large roasting sheet with olive oil spray. Add eggplant slices to roasting sheet. Brush olive oil on eggplant slices and coat with Italian seasoning. 
8. Bake eggplant slices for 25 minutes.
9. Meanwhile, mix Parmesan, mozzarella and oregano in a small bowl. 
10. Slice Italian sausage into 1/4 inch slices. In a medium-sized saute pan, heat light olive oil on medium-high heat. Add sausage to pan and saute for 3-4 minutes. Remove sausage from pan and set aside. 
11. After 25 minutes, remove eggplant from oven. Turn oven setting to broil.
12. Add sauce to eggplant slices. Add sausage slices on top of the sauce. Finish with a generous amount of the cheese/oregano mixture. Put pizzas back in oven until cheese is melted and slightly browned. For me, this took about 3 minutes. Broiling time will vary.
13. Remove pizzas from oven. Top with red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately.