Makeover Loaded Pizza

Name: Makeover Loaded Pizza
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 1-1/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms; 1/4 cup each chopped green pepper, sweet red pepper, white onion and red onion; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tablespoon canola oil; 1/4 pound lean ground beef (90% lean); 1 turkey Italian sausage link (4 ounces), casing removed; 2 teaspoons cornmeal; 1 loaf (1 pound) frozen bread dough, thawed; 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce; 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/8 teaspoon pepper; 15 turkey pepperoni slices (1 ounce); 2 tablespoons sliced ripe olives; 1-1/4 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese; 1/4 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese

Now everyone can enjoy family pizza night. We lightened up a classic recipe and shaved off half the calories, three-fourths of the saturated fat, two-thirds of the sodium and cholesterol, and ALL of the guilt. We swear that the kids won't even notice the difference! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1/4 cup each chopped green pepper, sweet red pepper, white onion and red onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/4 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1 turkey Italian sausage link (4 ounces), casing removed
2 teaspoons cornmeal
1 loaf (1 pound) frozen bread dough, thawed
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon pepper
15 turkey pepperoni slices (1 ounce)
2 tablespoons sliced ripe olives
1-1/4 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese

Directions

In a nonstick skillet, saute the mushrooms, peppers, onions and garlic in oil until tender; remove and set aside. In the same skillet, cook beef and sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain.
Coat a 14-in. pizza pan with cooking spray and sprinkle with cornmeal. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 15-in. circle.
Transfer to prepared pan. Build up edges slightly; prick dough thoroughly with a fork. Bake at 400° for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.
In a large bowl, combine the tomato sauce, parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and pepper; spread over crust. Top with the vegetables, meat mixture, pepperoni and olives. Sprinkle with cheeses.
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until crust is golden and cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 300 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 758mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 3g fiber), 18g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.

Originally published as Makeover Loaded Pizza in Light & Tasty August/September 2001