Beef Up Back to School

(Family Features) Heading back to school means hectic schedules and hungry kids. Fuel your family's active lifestyle with the protein power of beef, a naturally rich source of nine essential nutrients. With 29 cuts of beef that meet government guidelines for lean, including 95% lean ground beef, it's easy to "go lean with protein" in delicious ways.

Italian Beef & Cheese Calzone makes the grade for ease and all-family appeal. A calzone is actually a stuffed pizza and this recipe is a fast fix that even the kids can help make. Loaded with lean ground beef, vibrant bell peppers and tomatoes, plus classic melted cheese, it's sure to secure full attendance at the dinner table and earn high marks from all. Round out the meal with crisp vegetables or fresh fruit.

Visit www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com  for more family-pleasing lean beef recipes to keep your kids energized throughout the school year.

Italian Beef & Cheese Calzone

Makes 4 servings

Italian Beef & Cheese Calzone

Total preparation and cooking time: 50 to 60 minutes

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with onions, drained
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, crushed
1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend
1 tablespoon cornmeal
1 package (13.8 ounces) refrigerated pizza crust dough

1. Heat oven to 400°F. Brown ground beef with bell pepper in large nonstick skillet over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, breaking beef up into 3/4-inch crumbles. Pour off drippings. Stir in tomatoes and oregano; continue cooking 5 to 7 minutes or until liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat; stir in cheese. Set aside.

2. Sprinkle cornmeal evenly over rimmed baking sheet. Unroll pizza dough lengthwise on baking sheet, straightening edges of dough if necessary. Spoon beef filling over long half of dough, leaving 1-inch border on 3 sides. Gently lift and pull top half of dough over filling to enclose; pinch dough edges to seal.

3. Bake in 400ºF oven 15 to 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Cool 5 minutes. Cut crosswise into 8 slices.

Nutrition information per serving, using 95% lean ground beef: 496 calories; 17 g fat (7 g saturated fat; 3 g monounsaturated fat); 96 mg cholesterol; 758 mg sodium; 50 g carbohydrate; 2.2 g fiber; 39 g protein; 6.4 mg niacin; 0.4 mg vitamin B6; 2.3 mcg vitamin B12; 5.7 mg iron; 18.0 mcg selenium; 6.0 mg zinc.

This recipe is an excellent source of protein, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, iron, selenium and zinc.

Nutrition information per serving, using 80% lean ground beef: 563 calories; 26 g fat (10 g saturated fat; 7 g monounsaturated fat); 96 mg cholesterol; 764 mg sodium; 50 g carbohydrate; 2.2 g fiber; 37 g protein; 5.2 mg niacin; 0.4 mg vitamin B6; 2.4 mcg vitamin B12; 5.3 mg iron; 18.5 mcg selenium; 5.5 mg zinc.

This recipe is an excellent source of protein, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, iron, selenium and zinc.

Courtesy of Family Features