Pizza is a staple for students who crave a midday or midnight snack. NYU is surrounded by great pizza establishments, some even open until 4 a.m., like Joe’s. However, in New York City, the price for a slice of cheesy goodness can really stretch the wallet, reaching as high as $6 for a fancy slice at Artichoke Pizza. Besides, a carb-loaded slice of bread dripping with oil and cheese isn’t necessarily the most healthy option for a late-night snack.
This homemade flatbread pizza is perfect for your pizza cravings when you don’t want to splash the extra cash or feel guilty after stuffing your face. It’s also a great way to use up all the leftover bread and vegetables in your fridge.
First, gather the ingredients. There can be many variations of the recipe below — just substitute different ingredients as needed. This recipe will feed one person.
Ingredients:
1 round flatbread (some substitute suggestions: naan, toast)
5 tablespoons of pasta sauce: marinara (alfredo, pesto)
1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese (cheddar, American)
1 teaspoon of minced garlic
1/3 cup of diced tomatoes (onions, olives, mushrooms, avocados, broccoli, peppers, spinach)
1 tablespoon of olive oil
Optional: 3 strips of bacon (chicken, prosciutto, salami, pepperoni), 1 egg
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat the bottom of the oven tray with ½ tablespoon of olive oil.
Mix 1 teaspoon of minced garlic and 5 tablespoons of any leftover pasta sauce together. Spread the sauce on the bread. Add ½ cup of cheese on top. Sprinkle the chopped vegetables on top of the cheese.
This next part is optional, but recommended if you want meat toppings on your pizza. Cook the meat on an oiled pan on medium heat for 15-20 minutes. Cut the meat into smaller pieces and spread them out evenly on top of the pizza. For an added source of protein, crack an egg in the center of the pizza.
Sprinkle another ½ tablespoon of olive oil and the remaining cheese on the pizza. Set the pizza in the oiled oven tray and place inside the preheated oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes* at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, or until all the cheese has melted and the top of the egg is no longer transparent.
Take the pizza out of the oven, cool it for a few minutes, and you are set to dig in.
*If you’re using toast as the base of the pizza, cook for 10 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Email Isla Na at [email protected].
