Pizza is truly such an enjoyable food to make at home and to eat out! There are so many different options for pizza crusts, toppings, and side pairings that can suit a wide variety of preferences and needs.
Here are some ideas for elevating a basic pizza into an extra nourishing, satisfying meal, from the base up!
🍕Dough/crust. Choose one that complements your taste and texture preferences (and any allergy/intolerance needs). There are lots of options from bubbly sourdough crust, to hearty gluten-free whole grain quinoa crust, to many in between!
✨The carbohydrates in the crust can give us fuel/energy, fiber, minerals, and joy, as the tasty base on which the rest of the pizza magic is built!
🥫Sauce. Herby tomato sauce and pesto are my personal go-tos for lots of flavor!
🧀Cheese. There are so many tasty options for cheese these days, from classic mozzarella to feta. My personal favorite is cashew-based mozzarella.
The fats in the cheese make pizza all the more satiating and delicious, and aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins in the vegetables.
🥦Veggies. One guaranteed way to add plenty of flavor, texture, and nutrition to pizza is topping it with plenty of colorful veggies! I personally love roasting or sautéing veggies prior to adding them to the pizza, rather than adding them raw, which helps to really bring out their flavors in the best way.
Another way to get veggies in with a pizza meal is a tasty side salad for added freshness and crunch!
✨Both cooked and raw veggies add vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, diversity, and vibrance to the meal.
🫛Protein. One of the best ways to ensure that a pizza will be balanced for sustained energy is to ensure that a protein source is included along with the veggies and cheese. Some of my personal favorites are crispy tofu and crumbled vegan sausage. If you choose a whole grain crust, such as quinoa or spelt crust, there will be a source of protein in your base as well!
✨Protein makes pizza more filling, and balances with the carbohydrates in the crust to keep us fueled for longer, and support more stable blood sugar levels.
🌿Herbs. Both fresh and dried herbs add so much flavor when added to pizza sauce, mixed with toppings, or sprinkled right on top!
✨Finishing touches. I personally love adding toasted pine nuts or seeds to the finished pizza for added crunch, and a generous drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil for some polyphenols and that perfectly-pungent, fruity flavor.
What are some of your favorite pizza combinations?!
