Warm, saucy, comforting, and jam-packed with veggies and whole wheat, this hit the spot more than once when I was craving pizza but had to say no to cheese. Even if you aren’t trying to eat dairy-free, you’ll probably enjoy this as a healthier alternative to pizza for the new year.
As an added bonus, it doesn’t use any processed soy cheeses which I find expensive and kind of suspicious.
Cheese-less Veggie Pizza Roll
Serves 4
As usual, measurements are approximate; adjust them to fit your taste
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 recipe pizza dough
- 1- 1 1/2 cups pizza sauce
- 2-3 cups fresh spinach or other greens or 3-4 pureed spinach cubes*
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 1 teaspoon basil, dried
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2- 1 cup sausage or a few strips of bacon, browned and crumbled
- Optional:
- olives, sliced
- mushrooms, sliced
- Caramelized onion
- bell peppers, chopped
DIRECTIONS:
- Roll pizza dough into a rectangular shape on a lightly greased baking sheet
- Use a spoon to scoop and evenly spread 1/2 cup pizza sauce over the dough
- Here’s where you can take several different routes. If you’re using fresh spinach, you may wish to simply chop it up and sprinkle it over the pizza dough. Or if you or someone you’re cooking for doesn’t like spinach, you can chop it, steam it, and combine it with the other half of the pizza dough and the next three ingredients. Since I freeze cooked spinach for quick additions to meals, I simply thawed the cubes, squeezed out some of the liquid, then stirred together the remaining sauce, garlic, basil and salt. The color doesn’t look great, but don’t worry. You won’t be able to see it after it cooks
- Spread spinach and sauce mixture over the pizza dough and sprinkle with sausage or bacon and any optional toppings
- Carefully take one of the long ends and gently roll the pizza dough into a long cylinder. It’s okay if filling oozes out of the end. If you like, you can simply use a spoon to scoop it up and tuck it into either of the open ends which probably didn’t get a lot of sauce on them anyway
- Carefully slide the roll over until it is more or less in the middle of the baking sheet
- Bake for 30-40 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit
- When cooked through, remove pizza roll from oven, allow it to cool, then use a serrated knife to slice it crosswise
- Eat with a fork. If desired, you can dip it in additional marinara sauce or olive oil
Feel free to adjust the toppings to fit your preferences. To reheat leftovers, I simply popped it in the toaster oven at 400 degrees.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
What are some of your favorite pizza toppings?
Cheers,
P.S. For more meal time inspiration, check out Tastetastic Thursday!
10 comments
Athena
01/11/2012 at 9:16 AM (UTC -6)
This looks great! I never thought to roll a pizza. I imagine roasted veggies would taste amazing in this. I’m kind of the odd-ball out in my family when it comes to pizza. Everyone else loves a traditional meat pizza (sausage, peperoni, etc.) with mushrooms. I, on the other hand, am not a big fan of tomato-based sauce on my pizza. I also prefer lighter, less-greasy toppings. So, my favorite pizza toppings: white or garlic sauce, and LOTS of veggies (peppers, zuchinni, onions, mushrooms, olives, spinach, tomatoes, etc.) I’m also a big fan of thai chicken pizzas. And because I have such different taste than my family, I usually get a whole pizza to myself and get to eat leftover pizza for days
I never have to worry about anyone eating all of my pizza before I get a slice!
Steph
01/11/2012 at 5:06 PM (UTC -6)
I’m a big fan of white garlic sauce too, but I don’t make it often enough.
Rebecca Burgener
01/11/2012 at 7:10 PM (UTC -6)
This sounds delicious and freezer-friendly. My mind is twirling with the topping possibilities. I especially love adding chopped spinach to the sauce. Yum!
Rebecca Burgener recently posted..My Name Is Stegasaurus – #Blessings365
Steph
01/12/2012 at 1:09 PM (UTC -6)
I’ve found that adding it directly to the sauce (especially the pureed cubes!) makes it more appealing to people less enthusiastic about spinach, haha.
Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy
01/11/2012 at 8:19 PM (UTC -6)
I love this! Sounds so yummy, and healthy, too! And I also love that first picture. Just makes me want to take a bite:)
Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy recently posted..Coming Next Wednesday to a Blog Near You…
Steph
01/12/2012 at 1:07 PM (UTC -6)
Bet this would work with your atisan bread too!
Kristen
01/12/2012 at 12:25 PM (UTC -6)
I don’t think I’d even miss the cheese in that fantastic roll. I am a veggie pizza lover. Load it full of roasted tomatoes and eggplant, marinated artichoke hearts and olives and I am ready to eat the entire pizza!
Steph
01/12/2012 at 1:07 PM (UTC -6)
I honestly didn’t miss it, and your pizza description has my mouth watering!
VintageMom
01/28/2012 at 6:25 PM (UTC -6)
Looks scrumptious! Would you like to link up to my Allergy Friendly Lunchbox Love link party?
http://allergyfreecookery.blogspot.com/2012/01/allergy-friendly-lunchbox-love-18.html
I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t want to find these in their lunchbox
Lisa @ Allergy Free Vintage Cookery
Steph
01/30/2012 at 3:43 PM (UTC -6)
That looks great, thanks! I’ll plan on joining you next week.