Bacon-Cheeseburger Pizza



American version on the classic Italian dish...

...With bacon!

Ingredients

 * 2¾ to 3¼ cups all-purpose flour
 * 1 package active dry yeast
 * ¼ teaspoon salt
 * 1 cup warm water (120°F to 130°F)
 * 2 tablespoons cooking oil
 * ¾ cup chopped onion
 * 2 cloves garlic, Minced
 * 1 tablespoon olive oil, margarine, or butter
 * 1 x 14½-ounce can tomatoes, cut up
 * 1 x 8-ounce can tomato sauce
 * 1 bay leaf
 * 1 tablespoon snipped fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
 * 1 tablespoon snipped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
 * 1 teaspoon fennel seed, crushed (optional)
 * ½ teaspoon sugar
 * ¼ teaspoon pepper
 * 1 pound ground beef
 * 1 cup chopped onion
 * 2 medium tomatoes, very thinly sliced
 * 6 slices bacon, cut into 2-inch pieces, crisp-cooked, and drained
 * 3 cups shredded Cheddar, Amerian, or Cojack cheese (12 ounces)

Pizza sauce

 * 1) Cook ¾ cup chopped onion and garlic in 1 tablespoon oil.
 * 2) Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, bay leaf, basil, oregano, fennel seed, if desired, sugar, and pepper.
 * 3) Bring to boiling. Reduce heat; Simmer, uncovered, for 35 to 40 minutes or to desired consistency, stirring occasionally. Discard bay leaf.

Pizza dough

 * 1) Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine 1¼ cups of the flour, the yeast, and the salt.
 * 2) Add warm water and 2 tablespoons oil.
 * 3) Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly.
 * 4) Beat on high speed for 3 minutes.
 * 5) Using a spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can.
 * 6) Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
 * 7) Knead in enough remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic (6 to 8 minutes total).
 * 8) Divide dough in half. Cover and let rest 10 minutes.

Pizza

 * 1) Grease two 11- to 13-inch pizza pans or baking sheets.
 * 2) On a lightly floured surface, roll each half of dough into a circle 1 inch larger than pizza pan.
 * 3) Transfer dough to pans. Build up edges slightly. Prick generously with a fork. Do not let rise.
 * 4) Bake in a 425°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned.
 * 5) Meanwhile, in a large skillet cook ground beef and the 1 cup chopped onion until meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain fat.
 * 6) Spread pizza sauce over hot crusts.
 * 7) Sprinkle with ground beef mixture.
 * 8) Top with tomato slices and bacon pieces.
 * 9) Sprinkle with cheese.
 * 10) Bake about 12 minutes more or until cheese melts and sauce is bubbly.