Pillsbury makes short work of pizza

Eating dinner as a family doesn’t have to mean long hours of fussing in the kitchen.

Pillsbury’s new “Pizza Night” cookbook includes recipes for pizzas, snacks, appetizers and desserts that are a snap.

The recipes rely on Pillsbury’s refrigerated pizza crusts and other dough. It’s packed full of ideas for pizza with the kids or guests, including Bake-Off winners from past contests.

Here’s a sample of what’s inside:

Bacon Spinach Pizza

This recipe from “Pillsbury Pizza Night” was a winner from the 2002 Bake-Off Contest.

1 can (13.8 ounces) Pillsbury refrigerated classic pizza crust

1 box frozen spinach in a pouch

1 tablespoon oil

1/2 cup coarsely chopped onion

1 package refrigerated cooked Italian-style chicken breast strips, chopped

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8-ounces)

1 (2.8 to 3 ounce) package precooked bacon slices, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 15-by-10-inch pan with shortening or spray with cooking spray. Unroll dough; place in pan. Starting at center, press out dough to edge of pan.

Meanwhile, cook spinach as directed on package. Drain well; squeeze to remove liquid. Heat oil in small skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add onion; cook and stir 3 to 4 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently.

Top dough with spinach, onion, chicken, cheese and bacon. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted.

Note: Cut pizza into little squares for an appetizer or make the pizza meal with large squares served with a crisp green salad. For a crisper crust, bake crust 9 to 13 minutes or until edges are light golden brown, then add toppings; bake pizza for 9 to 12 minutes longer.

Yield : 24 servings

Approximate nutrition per serving : 100 calories, 4.5 grams fat (2 grams saturated, 40.5 percent fat calories), 9 grams carbohydrate, 15 milligrams cholesterol, no dietary fiber, 290 milligrams sodium.