Mexican Pizza

How can anyone go wrong with homemade pizza?  In my opinion it's absolutely the best!  Homemade pizza not only contains fresher ingredients than a franchise pizza does, but you're also able to control the amount of toppings that are added to it.  Ultimately, this helps make the pizza as healthy, or as unhealthy, as you desire.

Knowing me, I've been going for healthy dinners lately and this particular pizza recipe, which was slightly adapted from Emily Bites, is surprisingly healthy.  I use the word surprisingly, because of how tasty it is.  The pizza itself consists of almost entirely low fat ingredients, and is also baked on a whole wheat crust. You just can't go wrong with this recipe because it is both healthy and delicious!

Mexican Pizza
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Ingredients:

1 lb. 99% fat free ground turkey, or lean ground beef
1 packet reduced sodium taco seasoning
1 tsp. cumin (optional, it will just give it a little extra kick)
1 ½ tsp. chili powder (optional)
Boboli 12” Whole Wheat Thin Pizza Crust
½ cup of your favorite salsa
2 Tbsp. taco sauce
½ a can of fat free refried beans
1 cup cheddar cheese

Garnish Options:

Lettuce
Scallions
Black olives
Black Beans
Guacamole

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  If using a pizza stone to bake on, make sure that it preheats with oven.

In a large skillet over a medium-high heat, brown the turkey, or the beef.  Make sure to break the meat into pieces as it cooks, and drain the excess fat.  Next, return the turkey or beef to the skillet and add in the taco seasoning, and cook according to package directions.  During this time you should also stir in the cumin and chili powder, if using.  Allow to the mixture to simmer, and then set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the salsa and taco sauce.  Stir together.

To assemble:

Spread an even layer of the refried beans over the top of the pizza crust.  Next, add on the salsa/taco sauce mixture, all while making sure to leave about a ½ inch edge around the crust.  Evenly spread on the seasoned turkey/beef.  Top the pizza with the cheddar cheese.  (Feel free to add more cheese if you like and are not worried about calories)  This would also be a good time to add on some of the garnish options such as the black beans, or olives.  I would hold off on the other options though until the pizza is done baking.  This will keep them from becoming soggy.

Once ready, place the pizza on a pan or on a pizza stone and place in the oven and for 8-10 minutes.  Remove the pizza from the oven and top with lettuce and scallions.  Cut into slices and serve warm. 

This pizza is also great reheated!

Source: Adapted from Emily Bites