Turkey Taco Pizza

Taco + Pizza — what could be better? Perhaps a healthy taco pizza? This one was a hit if I do say so myself and it’s so versatile. I used a regular thin-crust pizza crust (actually one that was a new grocery store find - and it was great!) but you could use any pizza crust you desired (cauliflower, gluten-free, homemade, etc.) and the topping options are seemingly endless. You can also prep the taco meat ahead of time and just assemble, bake, and have dinner on the table in a jiffy. Serve with a salad and some fresh fruit and you have a perfect weeknight meal.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground turkey

Olive Oil

1 small yellow onion, diced

1 cup chopped spinach

1/4 cup taco seasoning

1/4 cup water

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 pizza crust

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 - 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed

6-7 cherry tomatoes, quartered

Toppings of choice: avocado, green onion, olives, sour cream, salsa, etc.

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven according to instructions on pizza dough. Prepare pizza dough.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and add 1-2 Tbsp olive oil. Add onion and stir until translucent. Add turkey to cooking onions and brown until cooked through.

3. Add garlic, taco seasoning, and water. Stir to combine.

4. Lower heat to simmer and let simmer 15-20 minutes or until water is absorbed. Once absorbed, add chopped spinach and let wilt for 1-2 minutes.

5. In food processor, add drained and rinsed black beans. Pulse until smooth.

6. Spread black beans onto pizza dough. Top with taco meat mixture.

7. Sprinkle cheese and chopped tomatoes on top.

8. Bake according to pizza dough directions.

9. Add on any additional toppings, slice, and enjoy!

Parent-Friendly Pizza Rolls

Do a Pinterest search for kids lunch options and you will find pizza rolls galore. I knew my girls would love some pizza rolls so I gave it a go - and it worked! They loved them. I’m calling these “parent-friendly” because honestly, parents love them as much as the kids do. They taste like pizza but are packed with veggies and your kids (and your tastebuds will never know) - a total win. The best part is they are delicious fresh from the oven or at room temperature and can be made, frozen, then reheated. I see these being a staple in our lunch boxes and after school snacks this year.

Ingredients:

Prepared Pizza Dough (you can using any kind - I like a gluten-free option like Bob’s Red Mill or Simple Mills or a whole wheat version like the kind available in the Publix Bakery)

1 small jar marinara (Look for one without any added sugar like Rao’s)

Shredded mozzarella

2 cups chopped veggies (anything you have will work)

Dried Italian Seasoning (oregano would work here too)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400F.

2. Heat a saute pan over medium-high heat and saute veggies for 5-7 minutes or until tender.

3. Remove veggies and add to a blender. Pour in marinara and blend until smooth.

4. Roll out prepared pizza dough into large rectangle.

5. Add a nice layer of marinara (leaving room on the sides for rolling) and sprinkle with mozzarella and seasoning.

6. Starting from the far side, roll pizza dough toward you, creating a large roll. Place seam-side down and cut into 12 pieces. Place pieces in a nonstick or greased muffin tin.

7. Bake 15-18 minutes or until outside is golden brown and inside is cooked through.

Serving suggestion: warm leftover veggie marinara in a dish for dipping.