Simple, Healthy, Delicious – Pizza Recipe

 

The pizza meal has many loyal fans. But, many would protest that it’s not the healthiest food option.

Believe it or not, pizza can be a healthy, normal calorie meal.  What makes the difference is the quality of ingredients in the pizza, and of course, the amount you eat.

Here is a simple, healthy, delicious pizza you can make in a snap.

 

Once you’ve tried this you may never go back to your old pizza place again!

It’s a thin-crust pizza which is a way to keep the calories down to a minimum.  We use fresh ingredients which make all the difference when it comes to flavor.  The whole wheat adds a nutty, fullness to the flavor, and enhances the satisfaction of the meal.  You’ll also find, with a whole wheat crust, you get fuller with less.

Two adults can split one of these pizzas for a very reasonable, low-cal dinner.  If you have a larger family to feed, you’ll want to make more than one and I’ll explain how below.

This basic recipe can be made into many, many variations.  I give 3 examples at the bottom -to help you change things up and keep it exciting.

Give it a try and let me know what you think.

 

Basic Pizza Recipe

 

Ingredients:

1 thin, whole wheat pizza crust (My favorite is 365 from Whole Foods, next is Boboli Thin)

3 oz  whole milk, fresh mozzarella cheese

1.5 large tomatoes (preferably straight from your garden or the farmers’ market, or make them heirloom tomatoes to ensure you’re getting the best tasting ones).

OR a can of crushed, fire-roasted tomatoes (I like Muir Glen brand)

2tsps Oregano

3 oz burrata cheese (if you don’t have burratta, just use a little more mozzearella)

5 or so large leaves of fresh basil

Olive oil

* I use a pizza tray with holes in the bottom from crate and barrel. It toasts the crust and helps it to get crispy.

How to:

1. Preheat the oven to 450 deg.
2. While oven is warming
   1. wash and cut tomatoes into thin slices. Cut mozzarella into thin slices.
   2. Put 1 tsp olive oil on a hand towel and spread across the pan to keep from sticking.
   3. If you’re using a can of tomatoes, take the opportunity to mix the oregano into the sauce
3. Put the crust in heated oven for 5-7 minutes, to crisp it. This will make sure tomato and cheese juices don’t run through.
4. Take crust out of oven. Spread tomatoes on top allowing them to overlap, then oregano, then cheese.
5. Place pizza back in oven for about 10 minutes or until cheese begins to melt.
6. If you’re using burratta, slice it and spread over top of pizza once it comes out of the oven.  Put fresh basil on last.
7. Slice pizza into 6 slices (preferably with a rolling pizza cutter)

*If you’re making more than one you can do them together, one on each level. The cheese will melt faster on the one on top so, rotate them quickly at the end.

 Cook Time: Approx 20 min

Serves: 2 Adults

Mushroom and Onion Pizza Recipe

 

Additional ingredients:

1/2 onion

1.5 cups fresh mushrooms (Try pioppini if you can- they’re awesome on pizza! Otherwise, any kind works.)

Modification to original recipe:

1. While oven is pre-heating wash and cut mushrooms and onions with other ingredients.
2. While pizza is heating put mushrooms and onions in a low-heat pan with 1 Tbsp olive oil. Cook until mushrooms are soft and onion turns yellow (about 5 min).
3. Once pizza is done, add mushrooms and onions on top of burrata.  Put fresh basil on last.

 

Baby Greens Pizza Recipe

My favorite way to eat pizza.

 

Additional ingredients:

1 clamshell of baby greens or arugula (bitter greens)

Balsamic vinegar or balsamic vinegar reduction

Modification to original recipe:

1. Place one slice of pizza on the plate. Put mixed, baby greens salad on top of each slice, and drizzle balsamic vinegar (or balsamic vinegar reduction) over that. OR
2. Put baby greens on top of entire pizza after cutting it. Then drizzle balsamic vinegar on top of the greens.

Chicken and Balsamic Pizza Recipe

 

Additional ingredients:

One 6 oz chicken breast per pizza (2 servings of protein)

Balsamic vinegar or balsamic vinegar reduction

Modification to original recipe:

The chicken breast bakes at the same temperature as the pizza but requires about 20 minutes so make that first.

See this post for How to Bake Chicken Breast.

While pizza is cooking with cheese, slice the warm chicken breast.  Once out of the oven, spread chicken across the pizza.  Drizzle with balsamic vinegar or balsamic vinegar reduction. Add Basil last.

 

You can see and taste the difference

when you make your own pizza like this. The average slice of plain pizza (without toppings) is 300 calories. You can eat half of this pizza (3-4 slices) for between 500-720 calories and partake of much higher quality ingredients to boot.

Nutrition info per adult (1/2 pizza):

Basic pizza – 517 calories

with burrata cheese -650 cal

Pizza with Mushrooms and onions  – 537 calories

with burrata cheese – 670 cal

Pizza with Salad and balsamic reduction – 547 calories

with burrata cheese – 680 cal

Pizza with Chicken – 587 cal

with burrata cheese – 720 cal

Percentages based on a 2,000 cal diet:

Vitamin A- 20%

Calcium – 25%

Vitamin C – 15%

Iron – 25%

 

It’s delicious alone. If you want a larger meal try one of these side dishes:

1. Mixed baby green salad with balsamic vinegar
2. Chicken Breast
3. Baked Fish (salmon or white)
4. Corn on the cob
5. Asparagus or Broccoli