Quick and Healthy Pizza

English Muffin Pizza

October 26, 2009   20 Comments

Is it necessary to add 3/4 of a pound of cheese to a pizza to have it be delicious? Do you need a cheese stuffed crust to have a great eating experience? I don't think so.

I do think that the taste of pizza is fantastic. The crunch of the crust, the tang of the sauce, and the softness of the cheese make it a very satisfying food. Why else would there be pizza joints every where you look?

But, as with any fast food, if you let someone else cook if for you (such as Pizza Hut, Dominos, or Uno's), they are going to kill you on calories. And, once you have it in front of you, just try to stop at one slice.

So, what do you do? Make your own! Here is a really simple suggestion to satisfy a pizza craving and it is an excellent snack size serving. Of course, you can also make your own crust, etc., and I will cover that in another post, but for now you need:

  • whole wheat English muffins
  • pizza sauce
  • low-fat mozzarella shredded cheese

The English muffin you purchase should be whole wheat, because we are aiming for a healthy snack. Whole wheat bread has many more nutrients than white.

The pizza sauce can be any tomato based sauce, but it should NOT include cheese. Check the label - so many pasta sauces on the market now include a form of cheese. The problem, again, is the added calories, which almost none of us need.

Split the muffin, spread some sauce, and use 1/8 cup of cheese (that is one-half of 1/4 cup) and you got a 100 calorie snack. Put it in a toaster-oven or under the broiler for a few minutes and you are done. (Do not use the microwave - it will turn out yucky).

How did we get to 100 calories? 50 for the English muffin, 10 for the sauce, and 40 calories for the cheese

And now you have a chance to add some Pineapple or other fruit or vegetable to make it even more healthy!

Finally, kids love this for an after-school snack. They can make it themselves, which is always a bonus.

For 1/2 ounce fresh mozzarella, 1/2 English muffin, and 2 tablespoons pizza sauce:

125 calories, 3.5 g fat, 16.6 g carbohydrates, 6.7 g protein, 1.5 g fiber, 311 mg sodium, 3 Points+

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20 Comments:

I literally grew up on these. As soon as I was old enough to work the broiler myself (no toaster ovens back then!) my mom was off the hook for a healthy snack! She also taught me to make egg creams, but that's another story! Did you see my Halloween Pizza version?? http://thecookersblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/healthy-halloween-lunchtime-laughter.html

on October 26, 2009

My family and I recently tried these. They were good, but a little soggy with the tomato sauce going on the muffin before broiling. Anyhow, we decided to go more crunchy! We took the triscuit crackers (I like the cracked pepper, the rest of the family does the reduced fat), then add the sauce and LF cheese, then microwave until cheese it melted. Many "mini pizzas", VERY quick, low calorie and tasty! Just food for thought. :)

on November 16, 2009

Do you think we should have toasted the muffin before we put the sauce on? That would probably make it crispier.

on November 17, 2009

I made these the other night. Started with the crock pot of 2 pounds of chicken breast and 16 oz Frank's Red Hot. After that cooked on low for 5 hours, I shredded the chicken and put back in the sauce. I then broiled 1/2 of a muffin till crispy. Then added 1/4 cup of the chicken with 1 tsp Marzetti light ranch dressing (serving size 2 T). Added to muffin and broiled till hot. Then added the mozzarella. Melted. YUM! Buffalo chicken pizza in a snap. Well, sort of!

on March 1, 2010

English muffin pizzas are delicious!!! They have been a staple in my family since I was growing up :) And yes, if you toast the english muffin a little then add the sauce and cheese it won't be soggy! YUM!

on March 5, 2010

If you're having a problem with a soggy pizza, carve out some of extra bread in the english muffin and got light on the sauce (saves calories too.) Also, make sure you cook the pizza long enough so it gets a little crispy. :)

on March 15, 2010

I always toast my muffins first...delish...and for extra thin and crispy we use low carb wheat tortillas as our crust....

on April 7, 2010

Pizza is our #1 fav in our family. When the bagle thins came out we experimented with those, too. Pop them in a toaster for just a bit to crisp them then add tomato sauce with a pinch of garlic powder and Italian seasoning and the turkey pepperoni slice or two (about 4 cals a slice) then the low fat cheese (2%), pop it in the broiler or toaster oven and wha la. Yum!!

on October 22, 2010

These are amazing. The whole wheat English muffins are awesome because you get just enough crunch when biting into one of these treats. Ocassionally I might up the size to those new whole wheat "sandwich thins" and enjoy it as a cheat meal. Topping it off with a few bits of lean ground beef or lean ham and you'd still have no idea you're eating a healthy snack.

on November 18, 2010

MMM, these are delish! A common go-to dish for me, and yes, I do toast the muffin in my regular toaster first for crunch (to eliminate the Mush Factor)and then assemble the pizzas, and slide the finished product into the toaster oven, where I just bake it until the cheese melts. I prefer to make my own sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and vegetable broth, and use goat cheese in lieu of traditional mozzarella or provolone. Fancy-schmancy and absolutely divine!

on December 15, 2010

These look great! Will be sure to get whole wheat english muffins the next time I go grocery shopping. Frozen pizzas were one of my quick night-time evil pleasures, but I know they're horrible for you. This is what I'll switch to for my quick pizza-craving fix! Thanks!

on January 19, 2011

I grew up with these too. We toasted them first and put a little olive oil on before the sauce to keep it from getting soggy. I love sauteed onions on mine. Unfortunately, my kids will not eat these at all (no onions of course) because they say it is not "real" pizza...oh well, my hubby and I eat them anyway.

on May 16, 2011

I love these! I toast them in the toaster first, then broil until the cheese melts. I also add some cottage cheese in between the sauce and the mozz for some extra protein. Sounds weird, but it's great!

on June 17, 2011

We've been making this on the grill - toast the inside of the muffin, then turn it over and add either sauce or seasoned diced tomatoes, big mound of fresh spinach, a few slices of onion and a small amount of mozzarella (fresh or goat cheese are my favorites). Delicious and healthy!

on August 10, 2011

if you don't have english muffins, mini whole wheat pitas work great too. nice thin crispy crust!

on August 24, 2011

Another option is to use whole wheat pitas. Top with sauce, cheese and toppings. Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes. My kids love making their own pizzas. We even have these while camping and throw them on the grill. It's cheap too! I only paid $1.24 at Walmart for a bag of 5 or 6 pitas.

on September 29, 2011

I loooove these! I have been making these since my boys were young and I would have them ready for them when they came home. Now they are older and they make them for themselves. They are so yummy and if you make them with the whole wheat english muffin, they are also healthy.

on February 2, 2012

What kind of pizza sauce?

on July 9, 2013

I make them with sliced tomatoes ( this time of year the garden tomatoes are great) not pizza sauce I put them in the toaster oven till the crust is browned on the edge then I add the cheese remove when the cheese is melted

on July 31, 2013

Literally, I'm 11 and I make these. Get off your butt and eat some pizza!!!!

on January 20, 2014

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