Meatless Mondays is a weekly feature where I share my hits and misses with living a meatless life. Many of you know I stopped eating meat about a year ago for personal reasons. While, I haven’t had any desire to go back to eating meat, it has been a struggle to find healthy foods to eat.
Everywhere you go, meat is the main dish. Since I was new to this lifestyle, it led me to eating unhealthy options. I’m on a path now to cook healthier options at home without meat. While going meatless is a personal choice for me, you can still save money by having one meatless meal a week.
Will you join me on this journey by preparing one meatless dish every week? There is a movement called MeatlessMonday.com where you can learn more!
Southwest Black Bean Pizza
Ingredients
- Pizza Crust
- 1 can of black beans, drained
- 1/4 c. salsa
- onions
- peppers (I used orange, yellow, and red)
- shredded Mexican Cheese (any variety you like)
- cilantro (optional)
This recipe is so easy and very versatile.
Slice the onions and peppers. Sautee.
While the onion/pepper mix is cooking, combine the beans and around a 1/4 cup of salsa in a blender or food processor. Of course, I used my favorite tool – the Ninja. Add salsa until it is the consistency of regular pizza sauce. I used Rosarita Salsa Verde, which I had leftover from a previous review.
Start with a crust base. Any type will do. I tried this with thin and thick and loved both versions. I buy the pizza crusts at Meijer based on a recommendation from my friend Cherie (Queen of Free). Having these on hand makes it quick and easy for us to throw together a homemade pizza of any sorts. My oldest son is quite the dough maker. When we have more time, he is very good at helping make the pizza dough.
Spread the bean mixture on the crust like you would normally.
Add your toppings. (Chop if you would like for easier eating!)
Top with cheese. I used Kraft Authentic Mexican Style cheese which must be a limited edition and it isn’t showing up on their website but it is a blend of queso quesadilla asadero and manchego cheeses. If you are looking for that authentic Mexican style cheese, this is what you want.
Sprinkle a little cilantro.
Cook at 375 degrees until the cheese is melted.
Enjoy!
Post Dinner Analysis
I based this recipe on my friend Kelly, Faithful Provisions, Black Bean Pizza recipe. I love this recipe. It combines my two favorite loves – Mexican and pizza into one tidy dish. What I love about this recipe is its versatility. Use whatever items you have in your fridge! I just happened to have a pepper mix (red, orange, yellow) and cilantro in our fridge. You could also chop up tomatoes and put them on top to suit your tastes.
Freezer Friendly
Freeze the ingredients separately or assemble the pizza and freeze for an easy dinner.
Meat it Up
If you are a meatarian, you can top with diced chicken.
Vegan Option
Use vegan cheese.
If you have any questions about the vegetarian lifestyle, you can read more about it at GoVeg.com.
Thanks. I’m allergic to tomatoes so I’m glad to know that this actually works.
Hi There, I hadn’t ever checked the portion of your website out before but it is great (so I even went to the archive!) :) Like you my family is paring down the amount of meat we eat for various reasons. We’ve been playing around with many old favorites that have become new favorites sans meat.
I saw this recipe and wanted to mention how similar it is to something we make. We make tortilla pizzas on a regular basis.
Whole wheat tortilla (100 calories, 7 g fiber, 8 g protein–yay!)
A mixture of the following:
2 can refried beans, 1 1/2 cup brown rice, 1 can rotel with cilantro, CUMIN, garlic, salt/pepper (to taste),
We spread the mixture on our individual tortillas, sprinkle on the cheese. Add and personal favorite toppings, (I like extra rotel, my hub likes BBQ (weird I know)), Then top with cheese and through them in the toaster oven or over right on the rack to toast and get crispy. It’s just beautiful!!
So quick. I usually keep the bean mixture on hand during the week for a quick mean. I find it the above make a generous 6 pizzas. I’m not sure you can get much healthier or quicker!!
Thanks for the post!
I made these pizzas last night for supper and the family said ‘Yum!’ I used Pita bread for the crust. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
.-= Sharon MLS´s last blog ..Spring to Summer =-.
This looks great! While I haven’t gone completely meatless yet, my boyfriend and I do try to eat vegetarian dinners at least a few nights a week for various reasons. May have to try this one out :)
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Hey Briana,
Looks tasty. We often make a meatless pizza too. Even with black beans. We use a regular pizza/spaghetti sauce though, and dice the peppers. Also, try broccoli cut up small and sprinkle a moderate topping of parmagean cheese in stead of the greasier cheddar.
Thanks for the great alternative to the same old,
Guy
What a great twist on pizza. Sounds great for a quick weeknight meal.
I went veg about 2 years ago and I love it. I don’t feel so weighed down by greasy nasty meat. I do it for cruelty reasons. Everyone in my family loves it!! Do you subscribe to vegetarian times? They have some great recipes!!! I am eager to try this recipe, looks delish. Two recipes I have to share:
Garbanzo beans (chickpeas) tacos: Combine 1 can of garbanzo beans with packet of taco seasoning for your “meat”. I swear they taste the same as beef!!
I just made this last night but it was SOO good. I combined pitas with cilantro hummus, feta cheese, bell pepper, and spinach. I then took cilantro, spinach, romaine, tomato, bell pepper, feta, and lemon to make a salad. It was so tasty with the lemon, I didn’t even need dressing!!
I think it would be good with mushrooms too or even just as a cheese pizza! I LOVE it. Kind of craving it for dinner tonight! :)
I love your meatless recipes, Bri!! I am so trying this one, it looks awesome! I don’t think the kids would eat it with peppers and onions, but peppers and onions are my fav, so even if I just make it for myself I’ll be making it! :)
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