The next time you crave pizza, think outside the pizza box and try one of these five delicious and healthier homemade pizza options instead.

The next time you crave pizza, think outside the pizza box and try one of these five delicious and healthier homemade pizza options instead

A recent report released by the USDA showed that ~ 1 in 8 Americans consumed pizza on any given day.  That’s not surprising. After all, who doesn’t love a good pizza? Family pizza night is a tradition for many families, and a night that everyone can look forward to. Traditional pizza is, however, is a significant source of calories and fat, and it ranks as one of the top three leading contributors for sodium in the American diet.

It doesn’t have to be that way, though. Rather than calling pizza night a cheat night, you can make a healthier version at home. Made right, pizza can contribute significant nutrients that work to keep your body working well. It can be just as, or more flavorful, too. You can even make a fun family activity out of it, by having a pizza competition.

Five Healthier Homemade Pizza Options

Enjoying a slice from your favorite pizza shop on occasion is fine, but it’s not the only way to enjoy this family favorite. Making a homemade version is just as delicious, and it allows everyone to use their creativity and pick their favorite flavors and topics.

Think outside the pizza box, and stick to your healthy eating plan, by making one of these twists to the traditional pie.

The next time you crave pizza, think outside the pizza box and try one of these five delicious and healthier homemade pizza options instead

Single-Serve Tortilla Pizza

If you’re trying to cut back on your carbohydrate intake, a single-serve tortilla pizza is a great option for you. Start with a lower calorie whole wheat tortilla, and top it with traditional pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese and your favorite toppings. You can cook it in the oven, or better yet, a toaster oven. If you prefer a crispy crust, toast the tortilla in a toaster oven for a few minutes before adding the sauce and toppings. Doing so will help it from getting mushy in the middle. This tortilla pizza should only take  ~10 minutes. Just watch it closely so that it doesn’t burn.

The next time you crave pizza, think outside the pizza box and try one of these five delicious and healthier homemade pizza options instead

Single-Serve Portioned Pizza’s

When I was a kid, we made homemade pizza a lot. My mom would buy a package of the dry pizza crust mix, and we would prepare the dough, then top it with our favorites. Using a homemade mix allows you to prepare the crust as thick or thin as you want it. You can even make a personal pan pizza. Get the recipe for how to make perfectly-portioned personal pizza’s on my blog.

Fig, Caramelized Onion And Ricotta Flatbread Pizza

Fig, Caramelized Onion And Ricotta Flatbread Pizza

If you love flavor, you’ll definitely want to try this fig, caramelized onion and ricotta flatbread. The combination of sweet, savory and salty flavors make this pizza a huge hit. It’s actually one of the most popular recipes on my blog. The other big benefit – it’s packed full of nutrition!

Homemade zucchini boat pizza

Zucchini Pizza Boats

This low carbohydrate pizza uses zucchini as the crust, making it a s a great way to significantly boost the vegetable content in your diet. Start by slicing a zucchini in half-length wise, then scoop out the seeds and a bit of the flesh. Create a white pizza by brushing with olive oil and garlic or top with traditional pizza sauce. Then, add mozzarella cheese and with your favorite toppings. Head over to my zucchini pizza boats blog post for the exact recipe.

Easy and Delicious Bagel Pizza Bites

Bagel Pizza Bites

If you have kids, these bagel pizza bites are sure to be a big hit. Just buy a bag of mini bagels, cut them in half and top them with sauce, cheese and your favorite toppings. If you are only making a few bagel bites, it’s super easy to bake them in a toaster oven. Simply cook at 450 degrees until the sides of the bagels are crisp and the cheese is golden brown.

If you don’t have a toaster oven, or you are making a big batch, you can also use a regular oven. Start by preheating your oven to 450 degrees, then line a baking sheet with foil and spray it with cooking spray. Place the bagel bites on the foil, then bake them in the oven until done. If you prefer, you can use English muffins as your crust, and bake them the same way.

The next time you have a family pizza night, try one of these five healthier, homemade pizza options. Be sure to make extras, too. You can reheat them the next day for a quick breakfast, lunch or snack.