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HOME/Fitness and Nutrition/Healthier Kid-Friendly Recipe: Pizza and Sauce

Healthier Kid-Friendly Recipe: Pizza and Sauce

Healthier Kid-Friendly Recipe: Pizza and Sauce
January 31, 2015
Shelly Frank, RD, LD
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Delivered or frozen pizzas make a quick meal but they can be loaded with extra calories and unhealthy ingredients.  Try making your own pizza – it’s fun and comes together faster than you’d think. To avoid topping disputes, have the kids make their own!

Pizza Sauce

Makes enough sauce for 8 – 12 small pizzas or 2 large pizzas. Recipe adapted from The Best of America’s Test Kitchen, 2012

Ingredients:

  • 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, drained
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper

Directions: 

  1. Place all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

Pizza Crust

Makes 4 – 6” pizza crusts or 2 – 12” thin crusts. For healthiest version, use whole wheat flour only. Recipe adapted from Fleischmann’s© Pizza Crust Yeast package.

Pizza Crust Ingredients:

  • 1¾ – 2¼ cups whole wheat or white all-purpose flour (or a combination whole wheat & white)
  • 1 envelope Fleischmann’s© pizza crust yeast
  • 1½ teaspoons sugar
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cup very warm water (120° – 130° F)
  • 3 tablespoons canola or olive oil

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425° F.
  2. Combine 1 cup flour, undissolved yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Add water and oil.  Mix until well blended (about 1 minute).
  3. Gradually add enough of the remaining flour until a soft dough ball is formed (dough will be slightly sticky).
  4. Knead on a lightly floured surface, non-stick aluminum foil or parchment paper until smooth and elastic; about 4 minutes. With hands, pat dough out to desired thickness on prepared cooking surface (pizza pan sprayed with cooking oil or squares of heavy duty aluminum foil).  Can also use a rolling pin for a thinner crust.
  5. Top pizza with sauce, cheese and favorite toppings (see below for Cook’s Tips)
  6. Bake on bottom oven rack for 12-15 minutes until crust browns and cheese is bubbly.

 

Cook’s Tips

  • Keep your pizza healthy by topping it with lean proteins (chicken, turkey), vegetables (mushrooms, onions, peppers, tomatoes, etc.), and/or fruit (pineapple).
  • Go light on the cheese: 1-2 ounces of light mozzarella should be enough to cover a 6” pizza.
  • A canned or jarred pizza sauce can be substituted for the homemade version.
  • A pre-made thin crust, whole grain flat breads and English muffins can be substituted for a homemade crust.

 

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TAGS:
  • healthier recipes
  • HealthWorks!
  • healthy eating

About the author: Shelly Frank, RD, LD

Shelly Frank, RD, LD is a clinical dietitian with the Center for Better Health and Nutrition and the HealthWorks! programs within Cincinnati Children's Heart Institute. Shelly has been providing pediatric weight management services at Cincinnati Children’s for over 15 years.

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