Quick & Easy Pizza Bagels

Instructions

1. 01

   Arrange a rack at the top of the oven and heat the oven to 425°F.

2. 02

   Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Split 2 bagels and place cut-side up on the baking sheet. Brush with 2 teaspoons olive oil. Bake until golden-brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and switch the oven to broil.

3. 03

   Spread 2 tablespoons pizza or marinara sauce on each bagel half, spreading to the very edges. Top each bagel half with a heaping 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Add toppings as desired.

4. 04

   Return the baking sheet to the oven and broil until the cheese is melted and browned in spots, 2 to 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil, grated Parmesan cheese, and/or red pepper flakes if desired.

5. 05

   Homemade pizza sauce: For a quick pizza sauce, stir together 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce, 1 grated garlic clove, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and a pinch each of kosher salt and granulated sugar.Freezing pizza bagels: Assemble up until the point of broiling the cheese. Freeze them flat on the baking sheet until solid, then transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, bake from frozen at 400°F for 18 to 20 minutes.Storage: Refrigerate baked pizza bagels in an airtight container for up to 1 day ahead or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat at 400°F for 18 to 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and toasted in spots.