beef for breakfast

Y’all know how I love my breakfast.

After all, it is the MOST important meal of the day.

This week we tried combining beef AND breakfast…genius.

I tried a recipe called Beef Sticky Buns, but my husband was VERY opposed to the name of the recipe.  He was frightened by the implication that there was sticky sweetness involved.  I assured him that it was a savory dish, but had to NOT call it Beef Sticky Buns during the preparation or serving.

Let’s just call it…

NOT Sweet Beef Sticky Buns

{I know.  I am a complete creative genius when it comes to these things.}

Ingredients:

Basic Country Beef Breakfast Sausage

• 12 oz ground beef {96% lean}
• 1 1/2 t chopped fresh sage
• 3/4 t garlic powder
• 3/4 t onion powder
• 1/4 t salt
• 1/4 t crushed red pepper {or more.  There is always room for more.}

Other ingredients:

• 1 cup sliced button mushrooms
• 3/4 cup diced onion
• 3 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1/2 cup reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese {I forgot to add this}
• 1 package refrigerated pizza dough

Toppings:

• Cream cheese “frosting” {is is NOT sweet y’all!}:  1/4 cup softened reduced-fat cream cheese & 1 T of milk
• 1/2 cup jalapeno pepper jelly, warmed

Instructions:

1.  Prepare the Basic Country Beef Breakfast Sausage recipe ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix thoroughly.  Add the button mushrooms and diced onions.  Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium high heat and cook mixture for 8-10 minutes breaking into 1/2″ crumbles.

2.  Add the baby spinach to skillet to wilt.

3.  Stir in the 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese {oops!  This is what I forgot, but it was fine without it}.

4.  Set mixture aside for 20 minutes to cool.

5.  Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

6.  Unroll prepared pizza dough and press into a rectangular shape.

7.  Spread beef filling mixture on dough leaving a 1/2″ border at the end end.  You know, the end that you are rolling toward.

8.  Roll up and pinch to close at the end.  You know, the end that you just left a 1/2″ border.  See how this all works together?

9.  Slice into 8 pieces {or 9 like I did}.

10.  Place in greased baking pan/sheet and bake at 425 until golden brown – about 18 minutes.

11.  Cool on rack.

12.  Top with Cream Cheese “frosting” and warm jalapeno jelly.

Thinking about how perfect this meal is for the holidays {or any day for that matter}, it occurred to me that it might be a nice tradition for another guest…

Santa.

Surely after that long night and all those sugary treats, Santa would be MUCH happier to see BEEF on his plate.

I am 1/10th of the Texan Beef Loving Blogger Holiday series.  Here are some other festive breakfast recipes that feature beef.  Please visit them:  Allie at Screwed Up Texan, Amy from Mom’s Toolbox, Arena from The Nerd’s Wife,  Brenda from Meal Planning Magic, Christina from A Closet Writer, Crystal from Crystal and Company, Jessica from My Baking Heart,  Lori from A Day in the Motherhood,  and Trista from Mommy Upgrade.

I have been working with the Texas Beef Council for several years now and am receiving product and compensation for my involvement.

AND…I am super excited to be hosting the #TXBeef Holiday Menu Twitter party!  It is THIS Tuesday, December 13 from 8-9 CST.

Please stop by twitter because they are giving away 23 Beefy prizes!!!

Plus we have all sorts of fun and information for making holiday menus easier.  I am no expert, but there will be a butcher, a nutritionist and a chef available for such questions.

Tagged as: Beef Loving Blogger, recipe, Texas Beef Council