Time is tight on weekdays. Trader Joe’s is my go-to store to get the ingredients for a quick, healthy dinner. Today I feature Trader Joe’s Thursday: Southwest Pizza.
It was the perfect day to use my new toys from Anthropologie that I bought with my birthday discount. Forget the clothes. I went for the kitchen gadgets! How CUTE are these???? I bought this Poppy Rolling Pin for my daughter-in-love Shandi for her wedding shower. I’ve secretly envied it since then. I also bought these precious Flowerpatch Measuring Spoons and cute magnetic timer. No more pressing the button on my oven FORTY FIVE times for a 45 minute recipe cook time. The Anthropologie vase with a flower from my garden is just a bonus in the pic. 🙂
Okay… back to the pizza. I got all the ingredients (minus a few I already had) from Trader Joe’s during a FIVE MINUTE shopping trip there today. Can I just say, Trader Joe’s Roasted Corn in the freezer section is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. I have more recipes with it that I’ll share another day.
Here’s how to make the southwest pizza.
INGREDIENTS (all from Trader Joe’s except the peppers and onions I already had)
PIZZA:
-Whole wheat pizza dough
-Lite Mexican Cheese Blend (1 cup)
-Roasted corn (1/4-1/2 bag)
-Black beans, drained and rinsed
-Black Forest Bacon, 2 pieces (I know, it doesn’t scream “southwest,” but let’s face it; bacon improves just about everything.)
-Red bell pepper, diced
-Green onions, diced
-Cilantro for garnish
SAUCE:
My 3-minute salsa (the one that took years to perfect)
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Before you start prepping all your ingredients, start by opening your pizza dough. Let it sit on a lightly-floured surface while you’re busy with the next few steps.
First cook the bacon in a skillet, about 3 minutes on each side. While it’s cooking, prepare your salsa in a Nutribullet or blender. Then prep your veggies. No need to thaw the corn, by the way. Next, roll out your pizza dough into a circle or a rectangle. I cook my pizzas on a Pampered Chef Pizza Stone that I purchased about 18 years ago (similar here). It’s wonderfully seasoned now and cooks the crust so evenly. Spread the salsa on your crust, followed by the corn, beans, bell pepper and green onions. Top with cheese and stick it in the oven. Bake for 15 minutes. Sprinkle the bacon and cilantro on top and stick it back in the oven for 3-5 minutes, until cheese has melted and the crust is golden brown. I use my equally as old Pampered Chef pizza cutter to slice my pizza (similar here).
My husband loved it!
Do you have any quick, tasty and healthy meals you create from your Trader Joe’s ingredients? Let me know, as I would love to feature your recipes!
xoxo,
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This looks fantastic. I have always wanted to shadow someone else on a Trader Joes shopping trip to see what products they buy and combine in the kitchen. I will make this one soon. I have 2 tips of my own to make it even an easier recipe. If you don’t have time to make Andrea’s yummy salsa, a great substitute would be TJ’s double roasted salsa. Another way to cut a corner is to use TJ’s flat bread as mini personal pizza crust. I have had it in their sample area as pizza crust and it is really good. The rolled pizza dough would be better but when it’s crunch time, the flat bread is a great runner up!
Andrea, your food photos are perfect, that is a talent all in itself!
Michelle- thanks for your suggestions! I agree- TJ’s double roasted salsa is really good. Haven’t tried the flat bread but that sounds great, too! Glad you like the photos… thanks for your encouragement!
I’m drooling. This looks so delicious. I don’t get to go to Trader Joe’s as often as I’d like because there is not one close to my house. I have to travel a bit to get to one. Hoping they open one soon closer to me.
I know how that is… when I lived in Texas, Trader Joe’s was too far for regular visits. I’m feeling spoiled now! Hope you get a closer one soon!
I don’t have a Trader Joe’s nearby ;( wah wah. I do agree with you that everything is better with bacon 🙂
Looks great and love the pic!
Thanks so much for linking up at Teach Me Tuesday party last week. I look forward to seeing what you link up again this week. Hope you’ll be there!
Have an awesome week 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Bobbi!
OMG! I love me some Trader Joes!! I really miss them since I moved to Kansas!! This Pizza looks amazing!! Thanks for sharing on the Wednesday Link Party!!
Oh yum, this is a pretty awesome pizza. One to be saved for a Friday night relaxing infront of the tv I think!
Thanks for sharing at Marvelous Monday on Smart Party Planning.
The pizza looks delicious, and I love love love the Anthropologie measuring spoons and rolling pin!!! I love their home section, they always have the cutest things!
Andrea, I love your recipe forbSouthwest Pizza. LOVE IT! I am pinning this on my own board and making it. Thank you very much for joining in the celebration of #purebloglove, we enjoy having you each week. I hope to see you on Thursday at 8PM, EST through Sunday night. ~Cydnee
Love my local TJ’s! Especially their Korean Short Ribs, great quick dinner. I could make a dinner out of their cheese selection, some dips, a few pieces of flatbread and some olives though! I love how they have “specialty foods” at excellent prices.