Crust-free Mini Paleo Pizzas

What is it about pizza that makes us fiend for it? That was totally rhetorical. Believe me, I'm well aware of the MSGs that are found in most commercialized pizza restaurants. I do hold out that there are still some mom and pop places that makes their pizzas without MSGs. I read an article recently that I'm trying to track down again so I can share it about the ingredients in the most popular pizza joints across America (Ha! I found it!). It definitely caused some eye-rolling and sad faces from my friends and I. So as an alternative to going out and buying a pizza packed full of MSGs and whatever else we really shouldn't be eating out of pure convenience, this recipe is a great paleo alternative for those that are looking for something that tastes like pizza, but isn't going to make you feel like crap afterwards. And don't tell me this is just a bun-less burger. That takes away all the fun of making these! If you set up several bowls with a variety of toppings, this would be fun to do with kids.

Crust-free Mini Paleo Pizzas

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: up to 17
Total Time: about 30 minutes
Serves: 3 for a small meal or 9 as appetizers

Special Tools:
Large mixing bowl
Foil lined baking tray

Ingredients:
1 lb grass-fed beef
1 egg, whisked
1 tsp of italian seasoning
1/2 tsp of dried basil
1/2 tsp of kosher sea salt
1/2 cup of sugar-free pizza sauce
Toppings of your choosing


Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
2. Mix the first five ingredients together in a large mixing bowl with your hands until well combined.
3. Take 1/4 cup of the mixture and flatten into 1/2-3/4 inch patties and repeat until all the meat has been used. Note: press the center down a little more because the center always puffs up as it cooks.
4. Bake the patties on the foil lined baking tray for about 8-10 minutes
5. While the patties are baking, get your toppings together. (You might choose differently, but the picture shows mushrooms, black olives, green peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, un-cured pepperoni, and fresh basil...yes, I packed a lot of toppings on my patties!)
6. Take the patties out of the oven. If too much grease has pooled on the surface, you might want to take a paper towel and wipe them off.
7. Top your patties with your favorite toppings and put back in the oven for another 5-7 minutes.
8. Remove from the oven and let the grease drain from the patties on a paper towel.