Pepperoni & Goat Cheese Pizza

 Ingredients:

Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 oz. cream cheese
• 1 1/2 cups almond flour
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp. minced garlic

Toppings:

• 1/2 cup pizza or tomato sauce
• 1 cup whole-milk mozzarella cheese
• 32 thin slices of pepperoni
• 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
• 2 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

Makes 8 slices (1 slice per serving)

1. Place an oven rack at the bottom of the oven and preheat it to 425 F. Take out a baking sheet and cut two pieces of parchment paper the same size. Set these aside. 
2. Combine the 1 1/2 mozzarella and cream cheese in a saucepan over low heat and stir until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly. Transfer it to a food processor.
3. Add the almond flour and egg to the cheese mixture and pulse until a dough forms, about 2 minutes. 
4. Remove the dough from the food processor and transfer it to a piece of parchment paper. Cover the dough with the other piece of parchment paper and use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a rectangle about the size of your baking sheet, approximately 1/4-inch thick. 
5. Remove the top piece of parchment paper and transfer the dough along with the bottom piece of parchment paper to a baking sheet. 
6.  Use a fork to poke holes all over the dough. Spread the minced garlic evenly on top.
7. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 9 minutes or until the dough starts to turn golden. Remove it from the oven. 
8. For the topping, spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough. Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella evenly on top, followed by the pepperoni and crumbled goat cheese. Sprinkle the Parmesan over the toppings. 
9. Bake for 10-15 more minutes or until the cheese melts and starts to bubble. Remove the pizza from the oven and allow it to cool before slicing and serving. Cut the pizza into 8 slices. 

WW POINTS VALUE:  9 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet book. This is a new take on the traditional pepperoni pizza. It's flavorful and creamy and it's good for you. If you don't have pizza sauce on hand, use traditional marinara sauce or puttanesca sauce and the pizza will be just as delicious. If the dough doesn't work out, you can use traditional pizza dough and the pizza will be just as delicious and comforting.