Introducing a savory twist on a weeknight classic: Salad Pizza, the perfect solution for a quick and easy, yet health-conscious dinner that brings together the best of both worlds. This recipe not only satisfies your craving for a comforting and familiar pizza experience, but also elevates it into a nutritious delight.
Crafting a salad pizza is simple, which makes it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when time is of the essence. The melding of fresh, crisp salad greens with the toasted pita or flatbread creates a harmonious balance, delivering a wholesome meal in minutes.
The beauty of this dish lies not only in its simplicity but also in its health benefits. This homemade pizza recipe has canned marinara sauce, which is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and lycopene – an antioxidant that is known for its potential role in reducing the risk of certain diseases. Plus, canned tomato products are environmentally friendly, which makes this recipe even more appealing. So what are you waiting for? The next time you get a pizza craving, give this budget-friendly recipe a try to satisfy your taste buds! Learn how to make this recipe here.
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Introducing a savory twist on a weeknight classic: Salad Pizza, the perfect solution for a quick and easy, yet health-conscious dinner that brings together the best of both worlds.
Prep Time15 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Ingredients
3 Cups Mixed Salad Greens, Any Variety
1 (15.5 Ounce) Can Garbanzo Beans, Drained And Rinsed
½ Cup Sliced Orange Bell Pepper, Or Any Type Of Bell Pepper
¼ Cup Sliced Red Onion
½ Cup Small Cubed Part-Skim Mozzarella
½ Cup Jarred Marinara Sauce
4 Pita Or Flatbread, Preferably Whole Wheat, Toasted
Dressing
1 Tbsp. Tomato Paste
1 ½ Tbsp. Water
1 Tsp. Red Wine Vinegar
1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
⅛ Tsp. Kosher Salt
¼ Tsp. Oregano
Dash Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine the spring mix, garbanzo beans, bell pepper, red onion and mozzarella.
In a separate bowl or mason jar, add all the dressing ingredients and mix well. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
Place your toasted pitas or flatbreads down and spread with 2 Tbsp. of marinara sauce.
Right before serving, toss salad with dressing and top your pita/flatbread. Enjoy!
Notes
Tomato paste adds a deep, lightly sweet flavor, beautiful color, and nutrition to salad dressings. Add a touch of it to just about any oil and vinegar based or Italian dressing to give it that extra layer of tomato goodness.
Recipe approved by Ellie Krieger, Culinary Nutritionist (RD) for Tomato Wellness.com
Tired of the same old spaghetti and meatballs every week? Elevate your pasta game with Riccardo’s Old World Sauce – i.e. a delicious homemade pasta sauce. Crafted with love and simple ingredients, this sauce brings a burst of homemade goodness to your plate.
This recipe is a delightful blend of whole peeled tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and a touch of garlic, creating a rich and flavorful base for your pasta dishes. Tomatoes take center stage in this sauce, providing vibrant color and a natural sweetness that will have your taste buds dancing. Not only do they add a delicious depth to your meal, but tomatoes also bring a host of health benefits. Packed with lycopene (a powerful antioxidant), as well as essential nutrients like vitamin C, iron, and potassium, this sauce not only satisfies your cravings but nourishes your body.
Feel confident serving this wholesome creation to your family, knowing that it’s made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The simplicity of this homemade pasta sauce allows you to savor the true essence of Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. For an extra touch of perfection, pair it with a side salad dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Whether it’s a cozy Sunday family dinner or a quiet weeknight indulgence, this sauce will bring joy to every bite.
Marinara sauce and white sauce are both popular pasta sauces, but they differ in their ingredients and nutritional value. The former is made primarily from tomatoes, garlic, and herbs, while white sauce, also known as Alfredo sauce, is made from butter, cream, and cheese. In this article, we will explore the benefits of marinara sauce and why it is a better choice than white sauce.
Benefits of marinara sauce
Healthier nutritional profile
This is a healthier choice than white sauce because it is lower in calories, fat, and sodium. One cup of marinara sauce contains only about 70 calories, while the same amount of white sauce can contain up to 500 calories or more. The former is also a good source of vitamin C and lycopene, which is an antioxidant that may help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.
Versatility
Marinara sauce is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from pasta and pizza to meatballs and stews. Its tangy flavor pairs well with a wide range of ingredients, making it a go-to sauce for many cooks. White sauce, on the other hand, is limited in its versatility and is typically used only in pasta dishes.
Lower in Fat and Cholesterol
This option is lower in fat and cholesterol than white sauce, making it a healthier choice for those who are watching their weight or cholesterol levels. Marinara sauce contains only a small amount of fat, while white sauce is high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Consuming too much saturated fat and cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease and other health problems.
Easy to Make at Home
Marinara sauce is easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients, such as tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. Homemade marinara sauce is also free of preservatives and additives, making it a healthier choice than store-bought sauces. White sauce, on the other hand, can be more difficult to make at home and often requires specialty ingredients like heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
Cost-effective
This red sauce is often more cost-effective, as the ingredients required to make it are typically less expensive. This makes it an ideal choice for families or individuals on a budget. White sauce, on the other hand, can be more expensive due to the cost of ingredients like cream and cheese.
Summary
Marinara sauce is a better choice than white sauce due to its healthier nutritional profile, versatility, lower fat and cholesterol content, ease of preparation, and cost-effectiveness. Incorporating marinara sauce into your cooking can be a simple and delicious way to improve your overall health and well-being.
Check out some of our favorite recipes for cooking inspiration:
The end of summer is not the end of tomato season. Canned tomatoes ensure that you can enjoy all of those wonderful tomato recipes (and health benefits) year round!
Tomatoes are a versatile produce item that many people have in their kitchens. And for good reason! Tomatoes are teeming with health benefits (since they provide antioxidants in the form of lycopene, beta-carotene, and vitamin C) which can help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. They are also great to use in a variety of meals and snacks!
While fresh tomatoes may be available year-round, they are only in season during the summer months. So, if you’re looking to get that fresh summer tomato flavor all year ’round, canned tomatoes are a fantastic option! Canned and jarred tomatoes are harvested at their flavor and nutrition peak and canned within just a few hours. Plus, they are quite affordable, meaning that this is a budget-friendly, easy, and convenient option for you and your family.
In addition to the affordability of canned tomatoes, they are rich in vitamins and minerals your body needs to function properly and can help boost energy and reduce the risk of certain diseases. In fact, studies have shown that canned tomatoes are even more nutrient-rich and environmentally-friendly than fresh tomatoes. And, as people continue to cook from the comfort of their own homes, canned tomatoes have grown in popularity thanks to their ease of use, high nutrition content, and a variety of forms (like tomato sauce, tomato paste, marinara sauce, salsa, and diced, stewed and whole tomatoes).
While you can used canned tomatoes in soups and chilis, here are some other ideas of how to use them in the kitchen.
1. Make salsa. During the summer months, it’s usually fresh tomatoes that find their way into salsas. As the seasons change, they may not be available (or might be too expensive). Luckily, canned tomatoes work just as well, are less expensive, and offer more health benefits! Check out this recipe for a delicious homemade salsa.
2. Homemade marinara. Skip the store bought options and make your own! A homemade sauce will be lower in sodium and a lot more flavorful. The best part is that you can adjust seasonings to fit your personal taste!
3. Add some variety to your dips. The addition of tomatoes can make an ordinary dip extraordinary. We love the unexpected flavor combination in this Tomato Pesto Hummus.
4. Add it to a quiche. Fresh tomatoes are delicious sliced on top of a quiche, but you can achieve the same flavor using canned tomatoes. Try out this quiche recipe for your next brunch.
5. Use it when cooking grains. Substitute diced tomatoes (along with the juice) for water when cooking rice or quinoa. It will add flavor and nutritional value.
What are your favorite ways to use canned tomatoes in the kitchen? Let us know!
Looking for a tasty appetizer that’s sure to please everyone? Check out this tantalizing recipe for Baked Marinara and Goat Cheese! This dip combines simple ingredients like marinara, basil, and goat cheese and will hit the spot when you’re craving Italian flavors.
To make this Baked Marinara and Goat Cheese, you just need to add the ingredients to a baking dish, throw it in the oven and (not so) patiently wait for it to finish! After the dip comes out of the oven, you will be left with a bubbly, cheesy, and melty appetizer that is perfect to pair with toasted bread. This is a recipe that can easily be finished off while you are busy entertaining guests.
Despite it’s simplicity, this recipe is rich in both flavor and nutrition. Thanks to the canned tomato product (marinara sauce), there is a plethora of nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, potassium, and lycopene. Both vitamin C and lycopene are antioxidants that function in our body to reduce inflammation and destroy free radicals that can cause disease. Additionally, lycopene has been proven to protect the body against many chronic diseases and even reduce the risk of stroke, which is why canned tomatoes are one superfood you should have in your pantry.
You can also make this recipe all year round, as canned tomatoes are a nutritious and affordable pantry staple. So, what are you waiting for? Give this Baked Marinara and Goat Cheese a try for your next party. And don’t forget to make extra–this dip is so good that it will fly right off the table!
Baked Marinara and Goat Cheese
Looking for a tasty appetizer that's sure to please everyone? Check out this tantalizing recipe for Baked Marinara and Goat Cheese!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Ingredients
1 (8 oz.) log goat cheese, softened
2 cups marinara sauce
½ tsp. kosher salt
½ cup fresh basil, chiffonade
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375˚F.
Spray a small baking dish with cooking spray. Press the goat cheese to fit the shape of the pan, leaving a 1-inch border around the edge.
Spoon the marinara sauce along the edge and along the sides of the goat cheese. Make sure to not cover the center of the cheese. Sprinkle salt over top.
Bake it in the oven for 20-25 minutes until the goat cheese is soft and the marinara is bubbling.
Remove the cheese from the oven and top with fresh basil. Serve with bread and crackers and enjoy!
Looking for more delicious dips? Check out some of our favorites:
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