Simple Skillet Pizza!

Pizza! Yes, you read correctly, pizza. Contrary to popular belief, pizza can be a healthy meal option for you and your family. When considering all the ingredients that go into making a pizza, many times, all the food groups on MyPyramid (USDA’s food guidance system) are covered. Let's review:

Grain Group – crust
Vegetable Group – tomato sauce, plus onion, peppers, spinach, etc.
Fruit Group – pineapple is sometimes a favorite on pizza
Milk Group – cheese
Meat/Beans Group – pepperoni, chicken, Canadian bacon, hamburger, etc.

When building your pizza at home, it is important if you are going for healthy, you try to limit calories and sodium (salt) by choosing low-fat and low-sodium products. Looking for low-fat cheese and lean meat are key. Turkey pepperoni, Canadian bacon, chicken and even beans can be lean sources of protein perfect for pizza topping. Another great option to bulk up the nutrition content of your pizzas at home is choosing a 100% whole wheat crust. In this recipe, I used a 100% whole wheat tortilla, which is very easy, in-expensive and nutritious. Believe it or not, pizza crust can also be pretty easy to make at home using whole wheat flour or it is even possible to buy whole wheat crusts already prepared and ready to top at local grocery retailers. If you plan to buy an already prepared crust to save time, look at the ingredient list to be sure it is a whole grain. If it is a whole grain, the first ingredient listed should read “whole”. Sometimes whole grain products come with a heavier price tag, so just be sure you are getting what you are paying for! Last, but certainly not least, I think it is important to remember to make your pizzas colorful. The more fruit and vegetables you use to top your pizza, the more colorful your pizza becomes (which is appealing to the eye) and the easier it is to increase your daily fruit and vegetable consumption.

The “Simple Skillet Pizzas” recipe is a quick, in-expensive and healthy way to make pizza a regular meal in your home! If you have children in your home that are interested in helping in the kitchen, this is a wonderful recipe for families to prepare together.

I hope you enjoy your Dinner Tonight!