For those embracing a ketogenic lifestyle, pizza night can present a challenge. Traditional pizzas are often loaded with carbs, making them a no-go for keto dieters. However, with a few clever substitutions, it's entirely possible to enjoy a delicious and satisfying pizza while staying within your macros. This article explores how to create a keto-friendly white pizza, focusing on the creamy, flavorful white sauce that sets it apart.
The Allure of White Pizza
White pizza offers a delightful change from the classic tomato-based versions. The creamy, garlicky sauce complements various toppings, creating a rich and satisfying culinary experience. It's a fantastic way to introduce variety into your keto diet and prevent menu fatigue.
The Star of the Show: Keto Alfredo Sauce
The heart of any white pizza is the sauce, and this keto Alfredo sauce is a true standout. It's rich, flavorful, and thickens beautifully without the need for traditional thickeners like flour or cornstarch. This sauce relies on a combination of butter, garlic, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese to achieve its creamy consistency and decadent taste.
Ingredients for Keto Alfredo Sauce
- Butter: The foundation of any good Alfredo sauce. You can use salted or unsalted butter, adjusting the seasoning to taste.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is highly recommended for its robust flavor. It elevates the sauce far beyond what garlic powder can achieve.
- Heavy Cream: A must for a keto-friendly sauce, providing richness and creaminess without the carbs.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds both flavor and thickness to the Alfredo sauce. Freshly grated Parmesan is ideal, but pre-grated can be used as long as it doesn't contain additives.
- Cream Cheese: Adds both flavor and thickness to the Alfredo sauce.
Making the Keto Alfredo Sauce
- Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the sauce begins to thicken, about 3 minutes. Whisk frequently and watch it carefully.
- Stir in the Parmesan and 1/4 cup of the mozzarella, stirring until melted and smooth. Continue to cook until the sauce becomes thick like pizza sauce.
Cooking the sauce in a skillet rather than a saucepan helps it thicken up faster and more evenly. Adding some mozzarella also aids in thickening. Constant attention and frequent whisking are key to preventing scorching and ensuring a smooth sauce.
Building Your Keto White Pizza
With the Alfredo sauce ready, it's time to assemble your keto white pizza. Here's what you'll need:
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- Keto Pizza Crust: Choose a low-carb crust that fits your dietary needs. Cauliflower crusts, fathead dough, or store-bought options like Trader Joe’s, KBosh, Outer Aisle, and Cali’Flour Foods are all viable choices.
- Cooked Chicken: A great way to use up leftovers! Dice the chicken into small pieces for even distribution.
- Spinach: Adds color and nutrients to the pizza. Frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry, or fresh spinach leaves work well.
- Mozzarella Cheese: The classic pizza topping, providing a melty, gooey texture. An Italian cheese blend can also be used.
- Optional Toppings: Cooked bacon bits, mushrooms, olives, broccoli florets, purple onions, red peppers, cooked sausage, cooked shrimp.
Assembling and Baking
- Preheat the oven to 425ºF (220°C) and lightly grease a large baking sheet or cover a pizza stone with parchment paper.
- Place the crusts on the prepared baking sheet.
- Spread each crust with half of the Alfredo sauce, ensuring it's thick enough to stay in place during baking. Cauliflower crusts lack a raised edge, so a thicker sauce is crucial.
- Divide the spinach and chicken between the crusts, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 7 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let sit for 3 minutes to allow the pizza to firm up slightly before slicing and serving.
Choosing the Right Keto Pizza Crust
The crust is a critical component of any keto pizza. While cauliflower crusts are a popular choice, it's essential to read the labels carefully. Many store-bought cauliflower crusts contain high-carb ingredients like rice flour, corn flour, and tapioca starch. Look for crusts where cauliflower is the primary ingredient and the carb count is low. Brands like Outer Aisle and KBosh are good options. Alternatively, you can make your own keto pizza crust using fathead dough, which combines mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, almond flour, and egg for a satisfyingly chewy and low-carb base.
Low Carb Thin Crust Sheet Pizza
Alternatively, you can make a low carb thin crust sheet pizza. It uses an egg and cheese based low carb pizza crust that bakes up in the pan.
Ingredients for Low Carb Thin Crust Sheet Pizza
- Cream cheese
- Eggs
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
Making the Low Carb Thin Crust Sheet Pizza
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 10x15-inch rimmed baking pan.
- In food processor or with electric mixer, combine cream cheese, eggs, heavy cream, and ¼ cup Parmesan until well combined.
- Sprinkle 1 cup Parmesan cheese and the mozzarella cheese in the bottom of the greased baking pan. Pour egg mixture over the cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes then remove from oven.
Topping Variations
The beauty of white pizza lies in its versatility. While chicken and spinach are a classic combination, feel free to experiment with other keto-friendly toppings. Consider adding:
- Cooked Bacon: Adds a smoky, salty flavor that complements the creamy sauce.
- Mushrooms: Sautéed mushrooms bring an earthy, umami element to the pizza.
- Olives: Black or green olives provide a briny contrast to the richness of the sauce.
- Broccoli Florets: Lightly steamed broccoli adds a touch of freshness and crunch.
- Red Peppers: Roasted red peppers offer sweetness and a vibrant color.
- Cooked Sausage: Italian sausage or chorizo can add a spicy kick.
- Cooked Shrimp: A seafood option that pairs well with the garlic and Parmesan flavors.
- Tomatoes: Adding fresh sliced tomatoes on top are a great way to keep the tomato flavor.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Leftover keto white pizza can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat individual slices in the microwave, but the crust may become slightly softer.
Keto white pizza sauce can be placed in an airtight freezer safe container leaving about 1 inch of head space to allow for expansion. Freeze for 6-8 months. Thaw in the fridge. You may notice a grainy or lumpy texture. Revive the sauce by slowly reheating in a skillet. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly. As the sauce warms, you can add a little fresh cream to help return it to a thick and smooth consistency.
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Nutritional Information
A conventional pizza with Alfredo sauce and chicken typically has about 30g of carbs per serving. A serving of this keto chicken Alfredo pizza contains approximately 5.2g of carbs and 1g of fiber, resulting in 4.2g net carbs per serving. This makes it a guilt-free indulgence for those following a ketogenic diet.
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