Build a Better Pizza

Pizza is a crowd-pleaser, because most everyone can agree on some combination of blistered dough, cheese and tomatoes; plus, pizzas have the advantage of being customized for different dietary needs and preferences on one piece of dough, English muffin, pita, or whatever the crust may be. Let’s think outside of the pizza box realm to help make better-for-you pizzas a reality for smart, quick dinners.

Start with your pizza crust

Even though a blistered round of white, doughy goodness is the pizzeria ideal, at home, whole-grain options are a fun way to tweak your pizza pie and up your daily whole grain counts. Replace a traditional crust with all manner of whole-grain bread products: tortillas, English muffins, or pitas work well. If you prefer a classic crust, opt for a whole-wheat pizza dough (look for this in the freezer section in store) and use it in place of the regular doughs called for in a recipe, or make your own opens in a new tab using corn and rye flours to incorporate some whole grains into the pizza equation. A whole-grain pita round would work well in a quickie Margherita riff opens in a new tab while brown rice tortillas support lots of vegetables in these vegan pizzas opens in a new tab.

Choose smart sauces

A red, tomato sauce is classic, but many jarred options can harbor several grams of hidden sugar and excess sodium. Keep it simple, and pick up our 365 by Whole Foods Market Pizza Sauce, which has no sugar added. Of course, you can also make your own opens in a new tab, using fresh tomatoes and herbs, which uses judicious amounts of sugar and salt to round out flavors. Pesto makes a fair  swap for maintaining an Italian vibe, or you can add hummus to your pizza to try a new flavor.

Make veggies the main event

Pizzas are a great way to incorporate vegetables (we all need them!) into your meal, and we’re not just talking about the tomato sauce. Try a grilled vegan pizza opens in a new tab that puts summer produce in the spotlight. And if you’re serious about upping the vegetable quotient of your pizza, try a “salad pizza.” Use an amazing salad, such as this arugula and pine nut one opens in a new tab, and top your baked crust or whole-grain tortilla with it and have your fork and knife at the ready. Another option: top your just-baked pizza with baby spinach or arugula to add some greens to your meal.

Use special toppings with a light touch

Some people may not feel like it’s truly pizza without some pepperoni or cheese. And you can have your pizza pie and eat it, too. Just use small amounts of thinly sliced meats and finely grated or shaved cheeses to help extend the flavor without piling on the calories or sodium. A tomato and pepperoni pizza opens in a new tab does just that, so you feel like you’re getting the best of both worlds of taste and nutrition. Using a smart amount of lean ground beef and real cheese makes a taco pizza opens in a new taba nourishing dinner (and still has nearly half of a day’s protein needs, while a chicken version opens in a new tab includes a touch of  shredded mozzarella cheese, allowing you just what you want from a good pizza: one more piece.