Name: Zucchini Pizza Crust
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Europe, Italian
Ingredients: 2 cups shredded zucchini (1 to 1-1/2 medium), squeezed dry; 1/2 cup egg substitute or 2 large eggs, lightly beaten; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided; 2 small tomatoes, halved and sliced; 1/2 cup chopped red onion; 1/2 cup julienned bell pepper; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon dried basil; Chopped fresh basil and red pepper flakes, optional

Try this flavorful and healthy zucchini pizza crust for your next pizza night. Made with shredded zucchini, eggs, cheese and flour, it’s a satisfying lower-carb alternative ready for your favorite toppings.

Ingredients

2 cups shredded zucchini (1 to 1-1/2 medium), squeezed dry

1/2 cup egg substitute or 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

2 small tomatoes, halved and sliced

1/2 cup chopped red onion

1/2 cup julienned bell pepper

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

Chopped fresh basil and red pepper flakes, optional

Instructions

1 Mix the crust

2 Preheat the oven to 450°F. In a large bowl, combine the shredded zucchini, eggs, flour and salt. Add 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and stir to combine. Editor’s Tip: Squeezing the zucchini dry is key to avoiding a soggy crust. After shredding the zucchini, wrap it in a clean dish towel or a double layer of cheesecloth, twist the ends together and squeeze over the sink until all the water is released.

3 Shape and bake the crust

4 Generously coat a 12-inch pizza pan with cooking spray. Place the zucchini mixture in the center of the pan and spread it evenly into an 11-inch circle. Bake for 13 to 16 minutes until the crust is golden brown.

5 Top the pizza crust

6 Reduce the oven temperature to 400°. Sprinkle the baked zucchini crust with the remaining mozzarella cheese, then arrange the sliced tomatoes, chopped red onion and julienned bell pepper. Finish with the dried herbs and the remaining Parmesan cheese.

7 Bake the pizza for 10 to 15 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the cheese is melted. If desired, sprinkle the pizza with chopped fresh basil and red pepper flakes before serving.