Healthy and Simple Home-made Pizza

Though you can make pizzeria pizza more nutritious, there is an alternative that can be made as healthy as you would like and ready in less time than it takes for the delivery person to arrive on your doorstep.

1.  Start with Boboli pizza crust, which takes no more prep than opening a bag, but stick with either their thin crust (140 calories per slice (one slice=1/6 of pie) vs 180 calories of original) or 100% whole wheat crust (120 calories).  Put a teaspoon of olive oil on a plate and use a paper towel to spread it on the outer edges, which you then lightly dust with your cheese.  I use this to create a "speed-bump" for my toppings, as this crust is completely flat.

2.  Empty a bottle of Ragu Homestyle Pizza Sauce into a bowl.  Mince or dice, depending upon your love of garlic, 5-6 medium-sized fresh garlic gloves and about half of a diced onion, stir thoroughly and cover crust to edges.

3.  Add your favorite fresh toppings, but if you are going to add chopped spinach, which is a must on my pizza, add it first, and remember to make a generous pile, as it will cook down (think 1/2-2/3 of a pre-washed bag).  My favorite combo for the top of my spinach is mushroom and yellow pepper, but you could add olives, jalapenos, artichokes, asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, summer or cooked butternut squash, fresh herbs or whatever you crave, so that your pizza is different every time. 

4.  Cover with 5-6 oz or less, depending upon your toppings, of your favorite low-fat cheese.  Trust me, with all the flavors you have piling up, you will not miss whole milk cheese or the extra ten calories per serving!

5.  Finish with your favorite cooked meat.  I love salmon on mine, but you could also add chicken, turkey, or your favorite fish.  Make sure that it is cooked ahead of time, as most pizzas only need 9-12 minutes in the over, which is generally not enough time to safely cook meat. 

6.  Bake until edges are golden and allow to cool.  Serve with slices of fresh tomato on top.

If you elected to use the spinach and whole wheat crust, you have just delivered a super green and whole grain to your table in less time and for less money than the average delivered pizza, and it should be devoured far more quickly!