All your favorite parts of pizza, minus the crust in an easy, low-carb meal.
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I don’t know about you guys, but when the clock says 5:00 PM on a Friday night, I have my phone out and am ready to order a pizza. Seriously, if speed dial was still a thing, I’d probably have my favorite pizza place saved in my top 3. While this ritual is fun, delicious, and a great way to relax after a long week, it is not the best idea for my health. On average, one slice of takeout pizza is 350 calories alone, and heavy on carbs and saturated fats. Now this doesn’t mean I can’t splurge every now and then, you have to live a little! But it makes me wonder how a pizza lover like myself can get her fix without overloading on unhealthy macronutrients. I recently came across the recipe for crustless pizza, and I think I may just have found my solution.
Crustless pizza may sound a bit confusing – how can you grab a slice of pizza without the crust? I hear you, but don’t give up on the idea just yet. Crustless pizza is the ultimate low-carb comfort food. It’s cheesy, meaty, hearty and savory, which is exactly what I’m looking for in a slice of pizza. It includes all the best parts of pizza, minus the crust. I understand it might be hard to consider giving up pizza crust, but just put your worries aside and try out crustless pizza this weekend. I have a strong feeling you’ll be talking it up to your friends and family next week.
Is Crustless Pizza Healthy?
Crustless pizza is an amazing alternative to a traditional pizza. It’s low-carb and high-protein, making it the perfect dinner option for anyone seeking a low-carb diet. While this recipe is still higher in fat with 39g of fat and 16g of saturated fat per serving, this can be adjusted by using ground turkey over ground beef, as well as opting for low-fat mozzarella cheese. Plus, by using a low-sugar pizza sauce, you’re cutting back on the amount of refined sugar you’re ingesting in comparison to the amount found in a typical takeout pizza. With onion, garlic, and the optional mushrooms, black olives, and bell peppers, you are enjoying a well-rounded meal full of all the macronutrients your body craves.
Another great thing about crustless pizza is how customizable it is. If you’re vegetarian, you can easily remove the meat and add more vegetables that are protein-rich. If you’re dairy-free, you can try out your favorite dairy-free cheese to replace the mozzarella. And if you’re gluten-free, you’re in luck as crustless pizza is already gluten-free. Just make sure your pizza sauce and cheese state being gluten-free, too.
Will ground turkey taste as good as ground beef in crustless pizza?
My official answer to this is that you should try out ground turkey next time you enjoy crustless pizza and see how you like it. Some people feel strongly that there is a difference, and therefore you may end up feeling the same way. But my opinion is that yes, ground turkey is just as good and no, you will not be able to tell a difference. I have made chili with ground turkey ever since I learned that it is a healthier alternative with no taste difference. Once you spice up ground turkey, I believe it takes on the flavor of the dish really well. So with crustless pizza, in my opinion, once spiced with onion, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper, there is no difference in taste. Therefore, I’m a big advocate for ground turkey over ground beef as it is leaner, has less fat and saturated fat, and is lower in calories.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup low-sugar pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup pepperoni slices
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: sliced mushrooms, black olives, bell peppers
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep
Preheat oven and prepare ingredients.
Assemble
Cook meat, add sauce and toppings, then assemble in dish.
Bake
Bake until golden and bubbly.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
Enjoy crustless pizza for multiple days by storing your leftovers in the fridge! Once cooked, allow your crustless pizza to cool slightly before placing it in an airtight container. In the fridge, your crustless pizza should last for up to 5 days. In the freezer, however, your crustless pizza can last for up to 4 months. Just make sure to use a freezer-safe, airtight container if you go this route.
Toppings on a pizza make the world go round. There is something special about a classic cheese, but meat and veggies take your pizza to a whole new level! Why not try the optional toppings listed, or add on your favorite pizza toppings? I bet even some pineapple chunks would be good for my Hawaiian pizza appreciators out there.
Three words: Red. Pepper. Flakes. I am a HUGE fan of sprinkling these little spicy flakes on my pizza, pasta, in a soup, you name it. I think it elevates the Italian flavors and heightens the dish as a whole. Try it out!
Serving Suggestions
Crustless pizza is just like traditional pizza, but without the crust. So any of your typical pizza sides would go great with crustless pizza! A side of wings perhaps? My mouth is watering just thinking about BBQ Chicken Wings, Parmesan Garlic Wings, and classic Hot Chicken Wings.
A refreshing salad would be great too – maybe a Greek Cucumber Salad or a Green Goddess Salad. And if you’re not on a low-carb diet, why not pair your crustless pizza with a side of Garlic Toast? It would be so delicious dipped in the sauce.
And lastly, in a true Friday night fashion, you have to have a dessert. I like chocolate, so a dessert such as these Chocolate-Covered Pretzels or Chocolate Banana Bread would be perfect.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 1/2 cup onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup low-sugar pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup pepperoni slices
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: sliced mushrooms black olives, bell peppers
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Grease a baking dish with olive oil.
- In a skillet, cook the ground meat over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until soft.
- Stir in pizza sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook for a few minutes to blend the flavors.
- Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. Add any other desired toppings.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Let cool before serving.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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