by Priscilla Benfield

Created on: June 25, 2009

A toaster oven is an appliance that is often overlooked as an alternative to using a regular oven. Aside from toasting bread, many people fail to experiment with what a toaster oven is capable of. Especially in the summertime when you are trying to avoid heating up your kitchen, the toaster oven is an excellent choice for making side dishes that you normally would put in the regular oven.

Everyone automatically thinks of their microwave when faced with cooking a quick meal. The toaster oven can cook quickly also and makes a different kind of meal that even a microwave browner cannot accomplish. For something crispier or melted, the toaster oven is a far better choice. Below are some ideas of quick foods made in the toaster oven.

Personal pizza. While you are putting your pizza together, preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Ingredients needed:

Pizza crust. There are many choices for crusts. Whether you purchase a store-made pizza crust that you add your own toppings to or make your own crust out of the following items, add your own toppings and your pizza will be ready within 5 to 8 minutes. Other choices for pizza crust: English muffins, flat-bread, Italian or french bread, pocket-less pita bread or sliced hard roll.

Sauce. You can use tomato paste, tomato sauce or even your homemade spaghetti sauce. Season it to taste using garlic powder and italian seasoning. Spread it onto your crust and you are ready for toppings.

Toppings. Mozzarella, Monterey jack, cheddar or a combination of Italian cheeses are all good choices. Add vegetables if you would like. Broccoli, onions, peppers, chopped spinach, mushrooms are just a few of the common vegetables that make great toppings. TIP: add the vegetables first and then sprinkle the cheese on top.

Depending on how crisp you like your pizza, these personal pizzas will cook quickly in your toaster oven.

Other great uses for your toaster oven include making your side dishes in them. A toaster oven can oven crisp your frozen fries or twice baked potatoes. Use the pan that comes with your toaster oven to broil meats in less time that the regular oven. I use my toaster oven to pre-brown turkey meatballs before adding them to my marinara sauce.

Another quick and easy meal idea is nachos. Line baked tortillas in the pan. Cover with refried beans, dot with salsa and sprinkle with a mexican blend of cheese and heat in the oven at 350 degrees until cheese is melted. For a variation, add chopped cooked chicken or shredded beef. This is a delicious meal for 2 people.

Your toaster oven can make many different things in a smaller quantity than your regular oven. Don't overlook it the next time you want something warm, crispy or melted and don't want to heat up your kitchen.

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