Rushed for dinner? Ah, Pizza. Always a quick favorite. But wait, put down the phone. You can make your own pizza, better and faster than the pizza man can deliver a pie. Our Tortilla Pizza costs less, tastes better, is healthier and faster. Cut down on calories with a thin crust and increase the taste with the toppings you love. Surprise your family. Try different cheeses, sauces and tiny bits of healthy veggies or leftovers.

Basic Tortilla Pizza

Start with a quick and easy pie and then get creative with the toppings.  Make individual pizzas with a small flour tortilla or use half a large tortilla for each person. Try wholewheat or spinach flour tortilla. 

Ingredients:

• Flour tortillas

• 4 ounces of sauce for each tortilla (pizza sauce, regular pasta sauce, even barbeque sauce or enchilada sauce)

• 2-3 ounces of cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, goat, feta)

How to make

• Heat the oven to 425°

• Lightly brush the bottom of the tortilla with olive oil, place on a cookie sheet

• Add thin layer of sauce and sprinkle on the cheese

• Add the toppings you want

• Bake 8-10 minutes or 15 minutes for a crispier crust.  

Pizza can be the new healthy fast food, depending on what you put on top of the basic pie.  Tomato sauce gives you lycopene that fight certain cancers.  Cheese has calcium and protein for strong bones.  Onions, peppers, and mushrooms have vitamins A, C and E to boost the immune system. Pile on the veggies. Chopped kale, spinach or broccoli give you the delicious taste of roasted veggies, plus iron, fiber and Vitamin C. Got “must-have-meat” lovers? A few slices of chorizo, pepperoni or chopped up cooked chicken can satisfy them.  Sprinkle on whatever you like.

Did You Know? Making your own pizza can be fast, easy, delicious, family-pleasing and very healthy.  It all depends on the toppings.

Speedy pizza

recipe: pizza variations

California Style Pizza:

• Use pizza or pasta sauce with mozzarella cheese.

• Add small bits of vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower or carrots.

• Use up leftover chicken, cook up a little bit of chorizo or add a few slices of pepperoni for those meat lovers.

• Add thin slices of avocado and red onion on the top.

Western Style Pizza:

• Use Barbeque sauce instead of tomato sauce.

• Add mozzarella cheese or sharp cheddar.

• Top off with red onion and fresh jalapeno pepper.

• Shredded pork makes a great addition.

Mexican Pizza:

• Spread a thin layer of refried beans on the tortilla.

• Add a layer of enchilada sauce instead of tomato sauce.

• Use Mexican blend cheese for the next layer.

• Top with tomatoes and green chilies.

• Add cooked ground beef or turkey for that meat lover.

TIPS AND TRICKS

To keep pizza healthy, use more veggies and cheese. Meat, just be enough to add a little flavor

Turn leftovers into a new meal: Sprinkle already cooked meat or vegetables cut in small pieces on top of the cheese and bake. Or place left-overs under the cheese for a crustier pizza.

Meat for a “heartier” meal: Add brown ground turkey or beef between the tomato sauce and the cheese or sprinkle on the top.  Just a little to satisfy a “meat-eater.”

More flavor and health: Add chopped pepper or mushrooms. Chopped kale or spinach to add extra color and health.

Crispier Crust: Brown the tortilla before you make the pizza. Heat a very small amount of oil in a frying pan. Brown the tortilla on each side for 15 seconds. Place on paper towel to remove excess oil. Add topping and bake.

Make eating healthy and fun. Get family members to grate the cheese or cut up the veggie toppings while you prepare the crust.  They get to make pizza with their favorites, and you get some kitchen help.