Fun fact: This isn’t my first food blog. In fact, I started blogging several years ago as a full time college student and posting recipes (back when only a handful of people were reading)! My first major debut was on the Today Show food blog. (I actually just found my picture still live at this link!!) So as you can see it all started with “homemade pizzas for summer.”
Fast-forward several years and one Ivy League degree later, my nutrition knowledge has integrated seamlessly into this longtime passion for cooking, recipe developing and photography. Today I am sharing my easy homemade pizza recipe, great for a simple weeknight meal. Pizza certainly gets a bad rep but truth be told, I consider it quite balanced from a nutrition standpoint- when prepared with the right ingredients.
Nutrition:
Whole wheat pizza dough: I am a huge fan of making my own pizza crust and integrating cauliflower but sometimes you need the fast stuff. I love using Trader Joe’s whole-wheat pizza dough (they sell a gluten-free one as well!). The US dietary guidelines suggest 6-ounces of grains for adult women and 8-ounces for men per day. Under that suggestion, this recipe would integrate seamlessly into your meal plan.
Mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella cheese may get a bad rep because of its relatively high saturated fat content. Consuming too much saturated fat has been associated with increased blood cholesterol. However, in the context of a mindful and balanced diet, there is no reason why you can’t enjoy this creamy cheese. Its high protein content makes it incredibly satiating and its calcium content should not be discounted.
Tomatoes: Lycopene is an antioxidant found in certain red-colored produce like tomatoes with suggested cardiovascular support and anticancer benefit.
Basil: Hello vitamin K powerhouse. Beyond blood clotting, vitamin K is recognized for its role in maintaining bone health and keeping arteries free from calcification.
- Pizza dough (I use Trader Joe’s whole wheat pizza dough)
- 2-3 oz mozzarella cut into 1/2 inch chunks
- 1 roma tomato, sliced
- Fresh basil
- Preheat your oven to the suggested temperature as indicated on your pizza dough package.
- Roll out your dough about 1 inch thick and shape into a circle.
- Place your dough on a lined baking sheet or pizza stone.
- Top with mozzarella pieces and tomato slices.
- Add fresh basil leaves at the cooking halfway point and then cook for the remaining time.
