After a long day standing over a stove can just seem like too much, so we grab food out or eat some packaged food that isn’t very good for us. It’s understandable and if it’s rare it’s not a big deal but if it’s getting to be very often it can really do a number on your health. Not to mention it typically costs more to eat a lot of pre-packaged meals and food out.
I find the key to preventing eating out for my family is keeping things around that are healthy but quick. Also having healthier versions of food we enjoy out is a good way to stop temptation. Pizza is one of those foods. We love pizza but we all know pizza out is not a very healthy option and can get pricey very fast.
When you make it at home it’s easy to control ingredients and make it a bit lighter. I love making pizza with homemade dough but I also keep some pre-made crusts from Whole Foods around because the ingredients are pretty good and it’s a meal I can have ready in about 20-30 minutes. That’s quicker than ordering pizza!
I also like to pre-make homemade pizza crusts but I’ll be honest, that hasn’t happened a lot lately. The Whole Foods ones aren’t as good as homemade of course but they are easy. Sometimes you need easy. And if it prevents you from eating out it’s totally worth it.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I was not paid for this post and all thoughts are my own.
Most of the time we just have normal pizza with a homemade pizza sauce, cheese and Applegate uncured pepperoni. However, that can get boring so we like to mix it up some nights.
Pizza can actually be a good way to use up some leftovers. Avoiding food waste is a big goal of mine this year so meals that can use up leftovers are high on my list. A lot of leftovers work well as pizza toppings. Like for this pizza I had an open bottle of BBQ sauce, a block of cheddar cheese, and a rotisserie chicken. May not be your tradition pizza toppings but it’s delicious. Serve with a nice salad and you have a pretty healthy meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pizza crust
- 1/3 cup BBQ Sauce
- 2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 2 cups Cooked Shredded Chicken
- Optional: onions and/or peppers
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- If using pizza dough that hasn't been pre-baked, place dough on greased baking sheet and bake for about 8 minutes or until light brown. If the crust is already pre-baked, like the Whole Foods crust I used, skip the pre-baking step.
- Spread the BBQ sauce on the crust.
- Top with shredded cheese, chicken and any veggies you are using.
- Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and starting to brown.
This recipe can be changed up to use what you have on hand. Instead of cheddar you can use up random cheese you have in your fridge, mozzarella or gouda would be really good. Also throw on some veggies that you need to use. It’s hard to miss up a pizza so get creative.
I’d love to hear some of your favorite pizzas. We always like to try new ones around here.
Linked up with SHINE, Create it Thursday, and Tasty Tuesday.
This looks delicious! I love BBQ type of pizzas but I’ve never tried to make it myself lol
You’ll have to try it, so easy and delicious. 🙂
This looks SO yummy! Making homemade pizza is so much fun and this really looks even better than restaurant bought pizza! Yum!
xo Adriana – Daily Dose of Design
Better tasting and better for you. 🙂
LOOKS AMAZING!! I will definitely be trying this recipe out! And it’s so simple to make! Thanks for sharing!
Let me know if you try it what you think. 🙂
Your intro is so right…lately I have not wanted to stand over the stove after I’ve been standing at work all day! Using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken is such a smart idea too. Looks yummy! 🙂
I love using Whole Foods chickens for meals. They are cheap and it makes life easier but still good quality food.
I love making home-made pizza too for the very reasons you described–the ingredients are easier to control and it’s like having take-out without all the guilt. I never thought of putting bbq sauce and chicken in it, however, but finding your post on it makes me want to. It looks so good! I’ll be putting this on the menu this month 🙂 Thanks for the idea and for sharing this on #SHINEbloghop this week. Hope to see you again for our next round 🙂
Yeah it really makes pizza a less guilty food which makes me happy! Let me know if you try it what you though. 🙂
yum! this looks so delicious!
That sounds really yummy (and easy – I love easy!)
I bet bacon crumbles would go well on top of this, too. Can’t wait to try it!