Want the taste of pizza minus the guilt you feel after eating a slice? As we always say, we didn’t have to become registered dietitians to know how much everyone seems to love pizza—or to know how much so many weight-loss hopefuls feel guilty after eating it. Guilty is the last thing we want for anyone to feel—especially after eating a food that can be delicious and guilt-free! After all, that’s why we created waist-line friendly pizza options like our Portobello Pesto Pizza, Portobello Pizza, Easy Veggie Pita Pizza and our Polenta Pizza just to name a few. If you like those, then you’ll flip for our Quinoa Pizza Bites! This mouth-watering super-food version of bite-sized pizza is packed with fiber and protein that will keep you full but without all of the calories and fat in your typical slice! And it’s simple to make, give it a whirl!
Quinoa Pizza Bites
Serves 4, Makes 12 muffins, 3 muffins per serving
Ingredients:
½ cup dry quinoa
1 cup low sodium vegetable broth
½ cup non-fat shredded mozzarella
1 cup of diced sweet onion
1 large egg
1 tsp garlic powder
0.5 tsp paprika
1tsp dried oregano
½ cup marinara sauce
Note: ½ cup dry quinoa makes about 2 cups cooked quinoa
Directions:
1.) Preheat the oven to 400°F
2.) Add vegetable broth and quinoa to a medium-sized pot and put on the stove.
3.) Cover the pot and let liquid come to a boil. As soon as it comes to a boil, turn the heat down so that it is just at a simmer. Let the lid sit so that it is not fully covering the pan, to prevent the contents from boiling over.
4.) Let simmer 10-15 minutes. (You’ll know the quinoa is cooked when it has absorbed all of the broth, looks clear, and is tender!) Turn the heat off, fluff with a fork and let it sit with the lid on for 5 minutes.
5.) Add cooked quinoa, cheese, onion, egg, paprika, oregano, and garlic powder into a mixing bowl and stir the contents.
6.) Spray a muffin tin with oil in a spray container to prevent sticking, and pour in the mixed ingredients. (The thinner the layer of quinoa mixture, the crispier the “pizza” will be!)
7.) Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow bites to cool completely to mold their shape and then remove from muffin tins and serve
8.) Dip quinoa pizza bite into the marinara sauce, and enjoy!
Nutrition Per Serving (3 mini muffins per serving) Calories 170, Total Fat 3g, Saturated Fat 1g, Cholesterol 55mg, Sodium 284mg, Carbs 25, Fiber 5g, Sugars 6g, Protein 10g
We suggest serving this as we always do, with a side of steamed veggies– you can dunk them in the marinara sauce too! You can have them as a snack, or have a few more bits and eat them as a meal!
- 1 cup low sodium vegetable broth
- ½ cup non-fat shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp paprika
- 1tsp dried oregano
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- Preheat the oven to 400°F
- Add vegetable broth and quinoa to a medium-sized pot and put on the stove.
- Cover the pot and let liquid come to a boil. As soon as it comes to a boil, turn the heat down so that it is just at a simmer. Let the lid sit so that it is not fully covering the pan, to prevent the contents from boiling over.
- Let simmer 10-15 minutes. (You’ll know the quinoa is cooked when it has absorbed all of the broth, looks clear, and is tender!) Turn the heat off, fluff with a fork and let it sit with the lid on for 5 minutes.
- Add cooked quinoa, cheese, onion, egg, paprika, oregano, and garlic powder into a mixing bowl and stir the contents.
- Spray a muffin tin with oil in a spray container to prevent sticking, and pour in the mixed ingredients. (The thinner the layer of quinoa mixture, the crispier the “pizza” will be!)
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow bites to cool completely to mold their shape and then remove from muffin tins and serve
- Dip quinoa pizza bite into the marinara sauce, and enjoy!
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