Zucchini Crust Veggie Delight Pizza
This Zucchini Crust Veggie Delight Pizza is a scrumptious and guilt-free alternative to traditional pizza, perfect for satisfying your cravings while adhering to the Weight Watchers core program. The star of the show is the innovative zucchini crust, made with fresh grated zucchini and wholesome ingredients, providing a delightful base that is both nutritious and delicious. Pile on your favorite vegetables like mushrooms, tomatoes, and onions, and add a sprinkle of fat-free mozzarella for that cheesy goodness. This versatile recipe allows you to customize with core meats or additional veggies of your choice, making it suitable for anyone looking to indulge without the added calories. Gather your friends and family for a pizza night that everyone can enjoy, guilt-free!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Zucchini
3 1/2 cups (coarsely grated)
Eggs
3 (beaten)
Cornmeal
1/3 cup (dry)
Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 cup (fat-free, shredded)
Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup (grated, fat-free)
Dried Basil
1 tablespoon (dry)
Tomato Sauce
1 cup (canned or homemade)
Mushrooms
1 cup (sliced)
Tomatoes
1 cup (diced)
Onion
1/2 cup (chopped)
Garlic Cloves
4 (minced)
Mozzarella Cheese
1 cup (fat-free, shredded)
Salt
to taste (n/a)
Pepper
to taste (n/a)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Begin by salting the coarsely grated zucchini and let it sit for 15 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
3
After 15 minutes, squeeze out the moisture from the zucchini using a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth.
4
In a large mixing bowl, combine the beaten eggs, cornmeal, 1/2 cup of fat-free mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and dried basil. Mix until well combined.
5
Add the drained zucchini to the mixture and stir until evenly incorporated.
6
Lightly spray a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with nonfat cooking spray, then spread the zucchini mixture evenly across the bottom to form the crust.
7
Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until it is set and lightly golden.
8
Once baked, switch the oven to broil and broil the crust for an additional 5 minutes to achieve a golden-brown finish. Remove from the oven.
9
Spread a generous layer of tomato sauce evenly over the baked zucchini crust.
10
Arrange the sliced mushrooms, diced tomatoes, and onions liberally on top of the sauce.
11
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of fat-free mozzarella cheese over the vegetables.
12
Return the pizza to the oven and bake at 350°F (175°C) for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
13
Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy your healthy pizza creation!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zucchini Crust Veggie Delight Pizza?
It is a healthy, guilt-free pizza alternative that uses a crust made from grated zucchini instead of traditional dough, making it suitable for the Weight Watchers core program.
How much zucchini is needed for the crust?
The recipe requires 3 1/2 cups of coarsely grated zucchini.
Why do I need to salt the zucchini?
Salting the zucchini and letting it sit for 15 minutes helps draw out excess moisture, which prevents the crust from becoming soggy.
How do I remove the water from the grated zucchini?
After salting and waiting 15 minutes, use a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth to squeeze out as much moisture as possible.
What ingredients act as binders for the zucchini crust?
The crust is held together using 3 beaten eggs, 1/3 cup of dry cornmeal, and 1/2 cup of fat-free shredded mozzarella cheese.
What oven temperature is used for this recipe?
The oven should be preheated and set to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
What kind of pan should I use to bake the pizza?
A 9 x 13-inch baking pan lightly sprayed with nonfat cooking spray is recommended.
How long does the crust bake by itself?
The crust bakes for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, followed by a 5-minute broil to achieve a golden-brown finish.
Is there a broiling step in this recipe?
Yes, after the initial bake, you should broil the crust for 5 minutes to ensure it is set and golden-brown.
What seasonings are included in the crust?
The crust mixture includes one tablespoon of dried basil, along with fat-free grated Parmesan cheese.
What kind of tomato sauce is best for this pizza?
You can use one cup of either canned or homemade tomato sauce.
What vegetable toppings are suggested?
The recipe calls for sliced mushrooms, diced tomatoes, chopped onions, and minced garlic cloves.
How much garlic is used in the recipe?
The recipe specifies 4 minced garlic cloves to be added with the vegetable toppings.
How much cheese goes on top of the vegetables?
One cup of fat-free shredded mozzarella cheese is sprinkled over the vegetables before the final bake.
How long does the pizza bake after adding the toppings?
The pizza bakes for an additional 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Is this pizza gluten-free?
The recipe uses cornmeal as a binder; while naturally gluten-free, you should ensure your specific brand of cornmeal is certified gluten-free if you have an allergy.
Can I add meat to this pizza?
Yes, you can customize the pizza by adding core meats of your choice to keep it within the Weight Watchers program.
Is the cheese used in this recipe full-fat?
No, the recipe specifically calls for fat-free shredded mozzarella and fat-free grated Parmesan to keep it low in calories.
Can I use fresh basil instead of dried?
Yes, although the recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of dried basil, fresh basil can be used as a substitute.
What is the total amount of mozzarella cheese used?
A total of 1 1/2 cups of fat-free mozzarella is used: 1/2 cup in the crust and 1 cup for the topping.
How should I prepare the onions for the topping?
The onions should be chopped and you will need 1/2 cup.
Should I let the pizza cool before eating?
Yes, it is recommended to let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing to allow the crust to firm up.
Does this recipe include salt and pepper?
Yes, salt and pepper are added to taste.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, the base recipe is vegetarian as it features zucchini, eggs, cheese, and various vegetables.
Can I use other types of squash for the crust?
While this recipe specifically uses zucchini, other summer squashes can be used if they are grated and drained of moisture in the same way.
What is the preparation for the tomatoes?
The tomatoes should be diced, and you will need 1 cup for the topping.
How many eggs are needed?
Three beaten eggs are required for the crust mixture.
Can I use a pizza stone instead of a pan?
A baking pan is better for this specific zucchini mixture because the dough is more of a batter that needs to be spread and contained to set properly.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Common tags include healthy pizza, zucchini crust, vegetable pizza, weight watchers, and low-calorie.
Is this a good recipe for weight loss?
Yes, it is specifically designed to be low-calorie and guilt-free, adhering to the Weight Watchers core program.