My parents drove up for an impromptu visit last weekend. Originally my mom thought we’d take the kids out for lunch, but they were happily playing and tired from their long walk with Grandpa, so we decided to stay home.
That’s when I started looking through my barren refrigerator, wondering what I was going to feed my parents. I considered grilled cheese sandwiches, but my mom has an allergy to sulfates, and I generally buy the cheapest bread available (which, as most breads do, contains sulfates). That’s when I remembered the bagels I had bought on a whim. Surprisingly they didn’t contain sulfates!
I didn’t have much in the way of lunch meat, but then I remembered something my best friend and I used to make when we had an apartment together: pizza bagels!
The recipe for pizza bagels is simple:
- Split bagels open and place curved side down on a cookie sheet.
- Put 2-3 tablespoons of spaghetti sauce on each bagel half. (My daughter enjoyed doing this step!)
- Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
- Put in oven on low broil for 5 minutes or so – keep an eye on them, they cook fast! (If you have to keep your door cracked when using your broiler, make sure to keep children away!)
I have to thank my mom’s sulfate allergy for challenging me and helping me to find yet another recipe both my kids will eat, giving me one more possibility for lunch and easing the lunch rut!
Kimberly Cosby says
This is still one of my favorite lunches for myself – has been since childhood, except my mom would always roll out a hamburger roll 🙂 My little one loves little pizzas too!
admin says
I love the idea of rolling out a hamburger roll to do it – whatever works!
Kristen says
Oh, I love pizza bagels! Thanks for the reminder. I’m going to make these for the girls tonight for dinner. We have basketball practice at two different locations so this will be quick and easy and I know they will eat it!! WOOHOO!!
admin says
It’s funny how you forget about easy recipes – sometimes we just need something to remind us! I had forgotten all about pizza bagels until I was stuck as to what to fix without bread.
Cascia Talbert says
That looks and sounds delicious!
admin says
It is definitely easy, and even my 2 year old ate it! You could also add chopped veggies or ham if you want. I use chunky spaghetti sauce with mushrooms and green peppers in it already.
Carol says
My mom is allergic to sulfites in medications and hotdogs. We never thought about bread. She just recently had a bad spell where she couldn’t breath and had tightness of the chest. Is sulfites listed on the ingredients? What is your moms allergic reaction to sulfites? (If you don’t mind me asking) I love pizza bagels.
~ Carol
admin says
Very similar reaction. It started a few years ago; she noticed it with wine and chili powder when making chili. Lots of meds would bother her, too. But she never could figure out the problem until she started reading ALL the labels. My dad thought she was going crazy until I verified by checking the Internet that you could be allergic to sulfates.
Carol Lawrence says
I almost forget! We are having a live chat with children’s author Howard Binkow tonight. We will be giving away some of his really awesome children’s picture books. (great gift for the kids)
If your free we’d love to have you join us.
http://theblogfrog.com/1355013/forum/134221/live-chat~howard-binkow~author-of-howard-b-wigglebottom-series~11-15.html
admin says
I will try to stop by; sounds great! Thanks for letting me know!
D says
We did the same thing in college. Those are great for a snacking. I have made it for my family and they love it.
shari lynne @ Faith Filled Food For Moms and Grandmothers says
I just have to chuckle at the two of us! I have been making these too!
Blessings OneMommy!
OneMommy says
They’re a nice break from cold cut sandwhiches or PB&J that my little ones usually eat!