Did you read last week’s coaching tip?
In case you missed it, we talked about how pizza can absolutely be part of a healthy lifestyle when it’s built with REAL ingredients.
This week, we’re putting that philosophy into action by showing you one of our all-time favorite pizza recipes: Cherry Tomato Margherita Pizza!
At first glance, it looks almost too simple. A whole grain crust. Sweet cherry tomatoes. Fresh mozzarella. Fresh basil. A simple blend of seasonings. That’s it. But don’t let the short ingredient list fool you. This pizza delivers the kind of flavor that may make you stop mid-bite and ask, “how can something this simple taste so amazing?”
Watch this video see how easy it is to prepare and how quickly it comes together:
Why We Love This Recipe
Many homemade pizzas start with a jar of tomato sauce. There’s nothing wrong with that. But this recipe takes a different approach.
Instead of using sauce, we sauté fresh cherry tomatoes in a little olive oil until they begin to soften and break down. Then we season them with garlic, fennel, and a touch of crushed red pepper flakes. As the tomatoes cook, something magical happens. Their natural sweetness becomes more concentrated. Their juices become more flavorful. Suddenly, those ordinary cherry tomatoes begin tasting like something you’d find in an authentic Italian restaurant. It’s a small step that makes a huge difference!
Besides tasting incredible, this pizza is a perfect way to enjoy a healthy pizza night:
- Built on a whole grain crust
- Lets the vegetables take center stage
- Features fresh herbs
- Uses a moderate amount of cheese
- Comes together in about 20 minutes
- Looks impressive enough for guests but easy enough for a weeknight meal
It’s proof that healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes a few high-quality ingredients are all you need!
Make it Your Own
One of the best things about pizza night is there’s no single right way to do it. Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, try experimenting with your own variations:
- Add sauteed mushrooms
- Top with arugula or microgreens after baking
- Drizzle with balsamic reduction or a good aged balsamic vinegar
- Add roasted garlic
- Toss on some spinach
- Add a few sliced olives
Or just keep it simple and let the summer tomatoes and basil shine!
Don’t Forget the Salad!
Remember, our favorite pizza-night strategy is salad first. Starting with a large, colorful salad helps you fill up on vegetables and makes a reasonable number of pizza slices completely satisfying. There are so many fantastic salads that would complement this pizza. In case you need a little inspiration, here are just a few examples:
- Blueberry Apricot Spinach Salad
- Toasted Walnut Berry Kale Salad
- Sweet Orange Roasted Fennel and Radish Salad
- Roasted Beet and Mixed Berry Salad
- Massaged Kale Salad
- Montana Inspired Beet Salad
A Simple Challenge
The next time you’re considering ordering a pizza, try the Cherry Tomato Margherita Pizza instead. Especially if you have fresh tomatoes and basil growing in your garden, this is the perfect way to enjoy their amazing flavors!
We can’t wait to hear what you think!
Can’t wait to make this pizza!!!! Thanks for the video!