The days are getting darker earlier, which (though extremely cozy) makes me reach for quicker, simpler meals - just like this crust-less pizza! All you’ll need for this perfect Friday night kind of meal is mozzarella cheese, along with the seasonings and toppings of your choosing!
To me, there’s nothing like wrapping up the work or school week with some pizza - though, to be honest, I’ve never been all that much a fan of pizza, to begin with...there’s just something oddly celebratory in designating one night of the week as “pizza and movie” night!
On my pizza, I love to add sausages, sauteed onions, and pepperoni - or even sauteed green peppers if I feel like switching things up! Now, whether you add fresh basil, artichoke hearts, or even pineapple, this recipe is truly meant for customizing to your tastes. If you *really* wanted to, you could make the base and add some seasonings, cook it up, and have a “cheese” pizza, but where’s the fun in that?
This pizza is delicious, but fair warning, don't expect it to have the exact texture of "regular" pizza you're used to! Since the base is made up of shredded mozzarella, you can bake the pizza for a firmer consistency; however, it will still be less rigid than a hand-tossed slice. Also, if you're a fan of precise measurements for recipes, this one will throw you for a loop because it depends on the kind of pizza you're going for - a small, single-serving, a pizza for two, etc. In the recipe guide below, I will list the general ingredients, but it's up to you to tailor the number of toppings accordingly in thinking about the size of pizza you want. That said, there's no need to worry, as the only *crucial* factor is that your mozzarella base is thick enough to be held as if it were crust!
Although you won't be able to toss the base of this recipe in the air, I'll bet you'll love it just as much as your go-to slice - no matter when you eat this crust-less pizza; I hope that it brings you that comforting, "pizza and movie night" feel!
Here’s to health,
Sofia Vivas
Contributor & Founder of The Wooden Spoon Healthy Eating Blog
Crust-less Pizza
Prep Time: ~5 Minutes Inactive Time: ~10-15 Minutes Total Time: ~15-20 Minutes
Pizza Base
1. Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Seasonings
1. Oregano
2. Parsley
3. Black Pepper
4. Salt
5. Garlic Minced
5. Paprika
6. Basil
Optional Toppings
1. Sausage
2. Canadian Bacon
3. Olives
4. Sautéed Onions
5. Chicken
6. Pineapple
7. Peperoni
8. Artichokes
9. The List Is Endless!
Guide
1. On a lined cookie sheet, add your mozzarella cheese. Spread it out, making the base of your pizza. Add cheese as necessary according to your desired size and thickness of pizza.
2. Add your seasonings, omitting any that don’t suit your fancy.
3. Onto the best part: add your toppings, going as light or heavy as you desire.
4. Bake at 400°F for 5-10 minutes until the pizza is slightly golden and has reached your desired firmness. (bake longer if you’d like a firmer base).
5. Let cool slightly, and enjoy!
Recipe By: Sofia Vivas Thewoodenspoonchefs.com
Did you make this recipe? Take a picture and tag on instagram at the_wooden_spoon_chefs
Chef Notes:
When making my pizza, I don’t measure how much I add of what seasoning - instead, I focus more on “coating” the cheese with toppings to have a flavorful base. The wonderful thing about this recipe is that if you add too much of one thing, add more cheese, and the base is saved!