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I mentioned in an earlier post that I had a slice of pizza from Chuck E. Cheese. I LOVE me some pizza! It was of course a disappointment and a waste of calories but it gave me some initiative to try some healthier version pizza recipes. Now, there were three things I was looking for when making these recipes. First, I wanted it to be healthier and low in calories and fat. Second, I wanted it to be EASY. As a working mom I do not have the time to make these elaborate recipes with 54 ingredients and a few hours in prep time. And lastly, I want it to taste yummy! Here is my attempt at fulfilling these qualifications.

Cauliflower Crust Pizza

Ingredients for Crust

1 cup cooked, riced Cauliflower

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 egg, beaten

1 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. dried basil

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

olive oil (brushed on top)

Directions

1. Remove stems and leaves from the cauliflower and chop up the heads in a food processor. Chop until it is “rice” like. This should make about 3 cups of cauliflower rice. Then microwave for 8 minutes in a microwave safe bowl.

2. Add all ingredients to the heated riced cauliflower.

3. Divide mixture into 2 and form the crust on a parchment lined pan. Brush with the olive oil.

4. Bake the crust in a preheated oven set on 450 degrees for 15 minutes or until turns a golden brown.

Below is how the crust came out. I then added my sauce and toppings and put back into the oven at 450 degrees until the cheese melted. When trying it I still did taste the cauliflower in the crust. This is great if you like cauliflower. Not so great if you do not, like my hubby.

Next on the agenda was to make a healthier version for pizza rolls. With all this healthier living I am trying to do, I definitely want to extend this to the rest of my family. My kids love those processed, fatty pizza rolls that come out the box (OK, you got me… so do I). So, I decided to make them/us a healthier version. Here is my attempt:

Wonton Pizza Rolls

Ingredients

24 wonton wrappers

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/2 cup pizza sauce

20 turkey pepperoni’s

3/4 tsp dried oregano

3/4 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp garlic powder

parmesan cheese (to sprinkle on top) Directions

1. Combine mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce, turkey pepperonis (cut into smaller pieces), oregano, basil and garlic powder. Mix well. 2. Lay out wonton wrappers and put a dab of the mixture into the center of each wrapper. 3. Dab finger into a bowl of water and run it around the edge of the wrappers. Once the edges are moist, seal the wrappers closed. 4. Place each wrapped pizza roll on a parchment lined pan. 5. Spray with Pam and sprinkle parmesan cheese on top. 6. Bake in preheated 450 degree oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.

1 roll = only 30 calories!

And let me tell you, these rolls were SOOO good. I had to hide a few just to try because my kids wanted more and more! And that is unusual for my picky little girl. I would recommend these over the ones in the box for sure! SO worth the little extra effort.

Quinoa Pizza Bites

Ingredients

2 cups cooked and cooled quinoa

2 eggs

1/2 onion (chopped)

1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded

2 tsp minced garlic

1 tsp basil

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp paprika

40 turkey pepperoni’s (chopped)

parmesan cheese

pizza sauce (for dipping)

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients except parmesan cheese and pizza sauce. Mix well.

2. Scoop mixture into a well greased mini cupcake pan. Press to compact mixture into each cup. Make sure it is well greased because quinoa LOVES to stick to the pan.

3. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top of each.

4. Cook in 375 degree preheated oven for 15-20 minutes.

These were pretty good. I have been experimenting with quinoa recently and will definitely keep these on the “to do again” list. The only thing I wish I would have done differently was add more spices. Quinoa is so bland on its own, you really have to give it a kick.

Cauliflower Pizza Bites

Ingredients

2 cups of cooked and riced cauliflower (described how to do this above)

1 egg

1/8 cup low fat cottage cheese

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp basil

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 cup turkey pepperoni’s (chopped)

Directions

1. Combined all ingredients to the cooked, riced cauliflower. Put back into microwave for 2 minutes to break down the cottage cheese so it mixes well with the other ingredients.

2. Scoop mixture into a well greased mini cupcake pan. Press each cup down to compact.

3. Bake in a 450 degree preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely before removing for the pan and serve with pizza sauce.

1 serving = 20 calories