Adorable Mini Pizza Bagel Bites

For the Pizza Bagels:

• 1 16 oz. bag plain mini bagels (Archer Farm brand from target located in their bakery section. I do have a hard time finding them anywhere else. I know this place has them for sure), split in half
• 1/2 Cup butter, melted
• 2 TBSP garlic powder
• 2 Italian sausages, casting removed, cooked and chopped into smaller pieces
• 1 - 1 and 1/2 Cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 Green bell pepper, sliced into tiny pieces
• 1 Cup pizza sauce (recipe to follow or you can purchase already made sauce from the store) (NOTE: You probably only About 1/2 for putting on the pizzas itself. The rest can be used for dipping)
• 1/4 Lb. pepperoni, sliced in tiny pieces
• Fresh thinly sliced basil (optional for garnish)
• Grated parmesan cheese (optional for garnish and to serve on the side)
• Red pepper flakes (optional for garnish and to serve on the side)

For the Pizza Sauce:

• 1/2 TBSP olive oil
• 1 TBSP minced garlic + 1/2 TSP
• 1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
• 1 12 oz. can tomato paste OR 2 6 oz. cans
• 1/2 - 1 TBSP dried Italian seasoning
• 1 TBSP sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• Pinch of salt
• 1/4 TSP pepper

1. Remove casting from your Italian sausage. Spray a non-stick pan and place over medium heat. Add your sausage and cook until no longer pink. Try to break them up into the smallest pieces as possible.
2. Once cooked, cut your small sausage pieces into even smaller pieces with a knife about dime size or smaller. You don’t want these sausage crumbles over powering the mini pizzas and being too big. Once finished, set aside.
3. Next, cut your pepperoni pieces into tiny pieces as well, smaller than a dime size. I cut vertical then horizontal and I make the cuts close to get the tiny squares. When done, set aside.
4. Dice you green bell pepper into tiny pieces and set aside.
5. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and prepare a sheet pan with foil and non-stick spray.
6. In a microwave safe bowl, melt your butter, once melted add your garlic powder and mix well.
7. Using a basting brush, brush the tops of the each bagel with the butter and garlic mixture and place on your prepared baking sheet. When done, sprinkle each one with your dried Italian seasoning.
8. To begin assembling the pizzas, place about 1/2 TBSP of pizza sauce on each one and using the bottom of the spoon, spread out evenly using a circular motion.
9. Then, add your toppings. Add a few pinches of pepperoni, sausage and green bell pepper. Then, top with cheese.
10. Repeat the process. (NOTE: when repeating the process just make sure each bagel is not over flowing. The reason you repeat is to create layers and even flavoring throughout)
11. When your oven is done preheating, place your prepared mini pizzas in the oven. bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. After the 25 minutes, broil on LOW for an additional 2-3 minutes.
12. When finished, remove from heat, garnish with fresh basil leaves and grated parmesan cheese. Serves with extra pizza sauce and red pepper flakes on the side.
13. ENJOY!