Canadians recognize the value in spending more time together.

One thing that’s always been important is spending dinnertime together as a family. Parenting can be stressful, so think about turning meal prep into bonding time! Get the kids involved with simple tasks like preparing Garlic Texas Toast on a tray. Ready in 5 minutes, Furlani comes to the rescue. Cooking with Furlani is fun and easy, so you can get back to the moments that matter! Dinnertime creates wonderful moments of connection—when we laugh, share and nurture each other with food and love. The dinner table is where families spend time together hearing about each other’s day.

We believe in elevating those every day moments to create something even more special, something kids and grown-ups alike can get excited about and remember.

Proudly Canadian, Furlani Garlic Texas Toast is the original Good Mood Food that brings heart-warming delight to gatherings and provides comfort and satisfaction every single time. With Furlani Garlic Texas Toast and other delicious Furlani products, the whole family—even the pickiest eaters—will get excited the moment the tantalizing fresh-baked aroma wafts through the house. Bursting with flavour, the soft and golden thick-cut slices bring so much joy. Little ones love helping with dinner prep while anticipating the fun meal ahead. Meal makers and planners can relax, knowing that this perennial family favourite will be on the table in no time! It’s an automatic conversation starter, especially with the kids. Garlic toast, with its savoury garlic spread and parsley, fosters a warm, nostalgic atmosphere that makes everyone feel at home.

Over the past few years, as more and more of us have embraced making meals at home and cherishing our connections with friends and family, we’ve also come to savour those quality dinnertimes around the table. Good Mood Food like Furlani Garlic Texas Toast has been right there with us, cultivating culinary happiness, enjoyment, togetherness and well-being, and turning ordinary food on the table into meals to remember.

Try these family favourites from the Bakery and Frozen aisles in your local grocery store.

GARLIC PARM TOAST DEEP DISH MEATBALL PIZZA

MAKES 8 SERVINGS | HANDS-ON TIME: 30 MINUTES | TOTAL TIME: 1 HOUR

Credit: Furlani Foods

INGREDIENTS

• 16 slices Furlani Garlic Parm Texas Toast, divided
• 3 cups shredded Italian cheese blend, divided
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 tsp hot pepper flakes, divided (optional)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced, divided
• 2 tbsp dried oregano, divided
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 (796 ml) can diced tomatoes with Italian spices
• 1 (796 ml) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 1/2 tsp salt, divided
• 1/2 cup 2% milk
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp minced fresh basil leaves
• 454 g lean ground beef
• 1/4 cup small whole fresh basil leaves

STEPS TO FOLLOW

Preheat oven to 350°F. In 12-inch round casserole dish, place 8 slices of the Furlani Garlic Parm Texas Toast around edge of dish, slightly overlapping, if necessary. Press 5 more Texas Toast slices into bottom of dish. Cut toasts to fill in any gaps on bottom layer. Bake to soften toasts, about 2 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 2 to 3 minutes.

Using back of large wooden spoon, gently press down toast into bottom and against edge of dish to create crust. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of the cheese evenly over bottom of crust. Set aside.

In large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. When oil is warmed, reduce heat to low, add onion and bay leaf, and 1/4 tsp of the hot pepper flakes, if using. Cook just until onion is translucent. Add half of the garlic and half of the oregano; cook until garlic is fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add tomato paste and stir well to combine. Cook until tomato paste has darkened, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour in diced and crushed tomatoes; stir to combine. Bring to gentle boil, reduce heat to low and let simmer until sauce has reduced and thickened, about 30 minutes. Season with 1 tsp of the salt. Set aside.

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 425°F; line baking sheet with parchment paper. Tear remaining 3 Texas Toasts into bite-size pieces and place them in medium bowl. Pour in milk, mix well and set aside for 10 minutes. With wooden spoon, stir toast mixture until smooth. With fork, whisk in egg, Worcestershire sauce, remaining garlic, oregano and salt, the minced basil, pepper and remaining hot pepper flakes, if using. Add ground beef and mix gently until well combined with bread mixture. Scoop and roll mixture into 2 tablespoon balls and place on prepared baking sheet. Bake meatballs, turning 10 minutes into baking time, until evenly browned, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.

Spoon reserved tomato sauce evenly on top of cheese layer in dish. Place meatballs evenly over top. Bake, turning dish halfway through baking time, for 20 minutes. Evenly sprinkle pizza with remaining cheese and return to oven. Bake until cheese is bubbling and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Let cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Sprinkle with whole basil leaves; cut into slices and serve immediately.

Click here to see step-by-step, how this dish is prepared!

Visit Furlanifoods.com for meal ideas that will enable you to spend more time eating, enjoying and savouring meals together!