Recipe: Very Veggie Pizza with Low Sodium Ingredients

Salt, aka sodium, is important for maintaining fluid balance and sending signals to nerves and muscles. However, too much salt may increase the risk of high blood pressure and other complications, especially in those with heart or kidney disease. Pizza is a classic food loved by many, including dietitians! The sauce, dough, and cheeses combine to create rich, savory flavors, but also a lot of sodium. This recipe focuses on the flavors we love while reducing total sodium and loading up on non-starchy veggies. Who knew pizza could be healthy?

Very Veggie Pizza

Ingredients:

• 1 whole low-sodium pizza crust (Good & Gather Organic ultra-thin, Banza plain crust, OR Angelic flatzza) 
• 2-3 Tbsp low-sodium pizza sauce (Rao’s, LS Silver Palate, Delalo, Primal Kitchen), or 2 Tbsp of olive oil with herbs 
• 6 to 8 oz low-sodium cheese (Tillamook shredded mozzarella, Good and Gather reduced-fat mozzarella, So Delicious mozzarella) 
• ½ cup raw of each type of veggie: broccoli, peppers, cherry tomatoes 
• 2 handfuls of spinach 
• 1 tsp of favorite Italian seasoning 
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 
• Drizzle of olive oil

Directions:

1. Cut vegetables into small, even pieces. 
2. Mince the garlic. 
3. Spread pizza sauce or olive oil over pizza crust. 
4. Spread the cheese across the sauce. 
5. Add the vegetables and garlic on top of the cheese. 
6. Finish with Italian seasoning or herbs, optional olive oil drizzle.
7. Bake on a baking sheet or stone at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes, until the veggies are wilted and the cheese is melted.