by Carolyn Miller

Created on: May 23, 2009   Last Updated: June 08, 2009

Pizza can be a healthy food or a junk food depending upon how it is made. A junk food is one that is low in nutrition and high in calories. Healthy food will be packed with nutrition, without too many calories. It will also be low in sugar and high in complex carbohydrates.

This healthy recipe adapts well to most diet philosophies. If you are on a low-fat diet, then the fat in the cheese and meats are the villains. Don't toss these out, cheese is full of calcium and protein. Meats lend additional protein. We will just use a little less.

If you are on a low-carbohydrate diet, the crust is the bad guy. For any diet, the salt is usually too high in pizza. There are tricks to make pizza lower in carbohydrates and sodium too. The thin crust in this pizza does the trick.

This recipe is both healthy and delicious. The thin crust will cut 80-100 calories and 12-15 carbohydrates from typical crusts. The whole grain provides nutrients and fiber. The sauce has no added sugar and a more authentic taste. We go light on the cheese, using Mozzarella and Parmesan. Turkey sausage is low fat and low salt, and since you season it yourself, you know exactly what is in it - no preservatives at all. Plenty of vegetables will provide added fiber and vitamins and minerals.

Homemade Sausage Pizza is easy, but takes some planning and time to prepare. Invite family or friends to help make this wonderful meal and the preparation time becomes a party. The contribution from people you care about will make this pizza taste even better

Sausage Pizza

Crust

A healthy crust will have basic ingredients (no extra additives), have little or no fat, and be thin. Use any of the following diet-friendly pizza crusts, but check ingredients for too much salt, sugar or additives.

Whole grain frozen dough - preferably whole wheat - roll thin

Homemade whole grain dough - roll thin

Whole grain artisan bread, sliced horizontally to make several thin pizza crusts

Whole grain pita bread - slice in half to make 2 thin round crusts

Whole grain tortilla shell

Sauce

1 14.5 ounce can Italian flavored tomatoes

1 8 ounce can tomato paste

1 1/2 teaspoon oregano

1 1/2 teaspoon basil

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Drain tomatoes. In blender, blend all ingredients until smooth. Use 3/4 - 1 cup sauce on the pizza. Save the remainder for soup or spaghetti.

Sausage

1/2 pound ground turkey

1 teaspoon each: minced onion, minced garlic, basil, oregano

1/2 teaspoon each thyme, sage, rosemary, black pepper, cayenne pepper (opt)

Mix well. Brown meat in saucepan, drain and cool.

Other Toppings

2 cups Grated Mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup Grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup chopped peppers (any colors)

1/3 cup chopped onions (saut if preferred)

1/4 cup sliced olives

Brush crust with olive oil. Spread with 3/4 - 1 cup sauce; add half the cheese and toppings. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.

Heat pizza stone 45 minutes while preparing other ingredients. Dust heated pizza stone with cornmeal if you are using dough. Slide pizza onto stone (or use unheated baking sheet with corn meal). Bake 7-10 minutes at 475 - 500 degrees until cheese is bubbly and crust is browned..

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