Ingredients
- 4 bagels, miniature whole grain
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/8 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
- ½ cup cheese, Cheddar Jack - finely shredded
- 1 ounce cooked lean turkey sausage, crumbled
- ¼ cup sweet bell pepper, diced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, peeled and diced
Nutrition Information
*These values are approximate. Per serving, based on a 2,000 Calorie diet.
Instructions
The individual components of the bagel bites may either be packaged individually for chilled transport in lunch boxes and assembly at mealtime, or prepared ahead of time and frozen to reheat later.
Assemble by splitting each of the whole grain bagels in half crosswise, and placing them cut-side up. Spread a thin layer of tomato paste onto each cut side of the bagels. Dust a pinch of Italian seasoning over the tomato paste. Sprinkle the Cheddar Jack cheese evenly over each of the bagels. Arrange the turkey sausage and red onion on top of the cheese. Lightly pat the toppings on the bagel to slightly adhere them to the bagel halves.
At this point the Bagel Bites may either be immediately heated to serve, or frozen in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Once frozen, seal the halves in a single layer (cut side up) in a freezer storage bag. Return the frozen bagels to the freezer.
To heat fresh Bagel Bites, bake on a baking sheet in a 350º F oven for 3 to 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and edges of the bagel begin to crisp. Alternately, bagels may be heated in a microwave for 30 to 60 seconds on high power.
To heat frozen Bagel Bites, place desired number of bagels onto a baking sheet and bake at 350º F for 20 to 25 minutes or until thawed, cheese is melted and edges of the bagel begin to crisp.