Polenta BBQ Pizza

Want to know a funny misconception about dietitians? It’s this notion that we don’t eat fun foods–like chips, and ice cream, and pizza. Pizza is a staple in my house. In fact, we eat it so often that I sometimes eat the decadent stuff and I sometimes try to find creative ways to make it a bit healthier. This Polenta BBQ Pizza is a healthier alternative to delivery that tastes just as good.

Polenta is ground corn that’s often boiled in salted water in Northern Italy. It’s rich in antioxidants and naturally gluten-free, making it a fun alternative to more popular cauliflower crusts. The corn lends a nice sweet and salty flavor, which is a great complement to the BBQ sauce in this recipe.

One quick note as you’re shopping for polenta: Most versions you’ll find in stores are de-germinated. This means that the innermost part of the kernels have been removed. To boost the nutrient profile of your crust, I suggest looking for a brand that’s labeled “whole grain” or “whole corn.” Bob’s Red Mill also has a partially de-germinated polenta I like. These varieties are higher in fiber, B vitamins, and E vitamins.

You can find whole corn versions of polenta at many health food stores, or online.


Polenta BBQ Pizza

Yields: 4 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

For the base:

  • 1 cup (250g) polenta
  • 1 ¾ cup (420ml) chicken broth (stock)
  • ½ cup (120ml) water
  • 4 tablespoons parmesan, grated

For the topping:

  • 3 ounces (90g) mozzarella, grated
  • 1 cup (30g) baby spinach
  • 10.5 ounces (300g) ground turkey, cooked
  • ½ cup (120ml) BBQ sauce, store-bought or homemade
  • 1 red onion, sliced
  • salt & pepper

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). 

Place the chicken broth and water in a small pot over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Very slowly start adding the polenta, stirring as you go. Leave to simmer for 1-2 minutes, or until thickened. Mix in the parmesan cheese and remove from the heat.

Line a baking tray with baking paper and spread out the polenta to form the base of your pizza.  Place in the oven and bake for 12 minutes. 

In the meantime, season the ground turkey with salt and pepper, and cook on a dry non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Set aside until needed.

Remove the pizza base from the oven and spread out the bbq sauce over the top of the base. Then top with the cooked turkey, spinach, red onion, and mozzarella. 

Return the pizza to the oven and cook for a further 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted and is slightly golden.


Want a printable version of this recipe, complete with nutrition facts and a scannable MyFitnessPal code? Click here!


Wondering what to serve on the side? I love this one with a simple green salad.

Give it a try and see what you think!

You may also like:

Healthy Baked Chicken Bruschetta

Oven Roasted Chicken Shawarma

Roasted Chicken with Vegetables

Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

Healthy Santa Fe Chicken Salad Recipe

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