Pizza Stuffed Baked Potatoes - Family Faves Meal Solution #4

We love baked potatoes.  This is not your standard baked potato.  This is a big hit in our house.  A perfect lunch or light dinner.  We did a small change - we used only 15 oz of  diced tomatoes and an 8 oz can of tomato sauce.  I also cut the Mama Mia Marinara Sauce Mix in half.  We used the microwave to bake the potatoes as we had limited time.

Ingredients:

6 large russet baking potatoes, scrubbed clean
Olive oil spray
Kosher or sea salt
1 lb ground Italian sausage
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
3-4 Tbsp Mama Mia Marinara Sauce Mix
1 c mini turkey pepperoni slices
1 1/2 c shredded pizzeria-style cheese
Optional toppings:  sliced black olives, sour cream, sliced green onions.

Instructions:

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Dry potatoes and pierce with a fork in several spots.  Spray with olive oil and lightly sprinkle with salt.  Place directly on center oven rack.  Bake 1 hour or until tender.


2.  Meanwhile, in large skillet over medium-high heat, cook and crumble sausage until no longer pink; drain.  Add tomatoes, Mama Mia Marinara Sauce Mix and pepperoni.  Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.  Salt and pepper as desired.

3.  Cut a slit in the top of potatoes.  Squeeze ends together to open the potatoes.  Top with marinara sauce, cheese and desired toppings.

Makes 6 servings.  Serve with steamed or sauteed broccoli.

Optional:  for faster cooked potatoes, pierce and microwave 7-10 minutes or until fork tender.  Skins will not be crispy like the baked potatoes.

Make Ahead & Freeze:  Place sausage in a quart freezer bag.  Place tomatoes, Mama Mia Marinara Sauce mix and pepperoni in a gallon freezer bag.  Place both bags in a gallon freezer bag.  Seal well, label and freeze.  Thaw completely.  Continue with step 1.