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holding a plate with CPK cheese pizza, veggies, and fruit
November 11, 2020

Our Favorite Easy Throw Together Meal

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Thank you to California Pizza Kitchen for sponsoring this post.

Matt and I are big fans of frozen pizza.

We’ve tried a ton of different kinds over the years, and our favorite, hands down, is California Pizza Kitchen, or CPK. Their frozen pizza is really delicious, budget friendly, and makes a great convenient yet balanced thrown-together meal when paired with fresh sides, like this yummy massaged kale salad we’ve been into lately (recipe at the end of the post)!

cpk pepperoni pizza, kale salad

As a dietitian who believes in intuitive eating, I’ve always been a big fan of the “add vs. subtract” approach to food. Rather than trying to limit certain foods from your day to day (which will just set you up to fail because it won’t be sustainable), think about what you can ADD instead to balance out your meals. 

Frozen pizza is a great example here; serving it with a fresh side, like salad or veggies and fruit, helps to make the meal more balanced nutritionally as well as more satisfying.

holding a plate of pizza and kale salad

The easiest way to go about it is to simply aim for half of your plate to be fruits and veggies.

If you’re not feeling a salad, another idea is to pair your frozen pizza with a roasted veggie, like broccoli, or raw veggies, like carrots, celery, and/or bell peppers! Then simply add a fruit, add your pizza, and there you go – a balanced, colorful plate. 

CPK cheese pizza, veggies, fruit

As for our fave frozen pizza, have you tried CPK’s Uncured Pepperoni, Mushroom & Sausage Cauliflower Crust Frozen Pizza yet? (If not, check out that link for where to find it!)

It’s so yummy and made with 100% real cheese, gluten free and preservative-free cauliflower crust. We also really love the CPK Artisanal Style Cheese Cauliflower Crust Frozen Pizza.

cpk cheese pizza cauliflower crust

Y’all know I’m down with gluten, but it’s fun to mix it up, and the CPK cauliflower crust is legit as good if not more tasty than regular crust. It’s nice and thin and super crispy. We didn’t even notice it was cauliflower!

CPK Uncured Pepperoni, Mushroom & Sausage Cauliflower Crust Frozen Pizza

And now, for that kale salad recipe, if you want some frozen pizza side dish inspiration!

My taste testers, Matt and my mom, loved it as much as I did, and it’s incredibly easy to throw together – you can make it in the time your pizza is cooking in the oven. 

easy massage kale salad with avocado, dried cranberry, pumpkin seeds, and red pepper

The key to this salad is that you massage the dressing into the kale – this takes out the bitterness from the kale leaves and adds a beautiful flavor to the entire salad. To make the dressing, simply combine 3 tablespoons each of olive oil and apple cider vinegar, then add 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard and the juice from 1 small lemon. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and that’s that!

Don’t worry about measuring the rest of the ingredients. Simply place as much chopped kale as you want in a bowl, making sure you’ve removed the stems (they are really bitter). Pour the dressing over it, then roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty by literally massaging the dressing into the kale by hand! Trust me, this step is key. 

Once the kale is fully coated with dressing, add some chopped fresh red bell pepper, diced avocado, pumpkin seeds, and a small handful of dried cranberries. That’s it! It’s ready to enjoy. 

And if you’re crunched for time (or ingredients), this kale salad is also super delicious with just the kale and no other toppings – so feel free to keep it simple, too. You do you!

pizza and kale salad

I hope you love this frozen pizza and kale salad combo as much as we did! 

For more information on where you can find CPK frozen pizzas near you, click here. Please let me know what you think when you try it!

And tell me – what’s your favorite way to balance out your plate when enjoying frozen pizza?

enjoying pizza and kale salad

- anne
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16 comments
  • Andrea November 11, 2020 · 11:38AM:
    Yum I love frozen pizza. I don't think we have CPK frozen pizza in canada though! Too bad!!
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 11, 2020 · 1:17PM:
      Ah, bummer!
      Reply
  • Ana November 11, 2020 · 11:59AM:
    Yum, that pizza and salad combo looks good! I tried the CPK cauliflower crust pizza recently and loved it! Cauliflower as pizza crust, who knew?! I see CPK restaurants are offering a free entree to veterans today in honor of Veterans Day - very nice! Happy Veterans Day!
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 11, 2020 · 1:18PM:
      I know, it is so delicious and crispy! And Happy Veterans Day!
      Reply
  • Lisa of Lisa's Yarns
    November 11, 2020 · 1:28PM:
    I had a cauliflower crust pizza when we had a family over for pumpkin carving and it was pretty good. It was from Aldi, so not CPK brand. It was nice to enjoy something similar to what others were eating that worked with the GDM diet. I like pairing pizza with a big salad!
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 11, 2020 · 2:15PM:
      Def try the CPK pizza next - the cauliflower crust is so good!
      Reply
  • MEREDITH November 11, 2020 · 1:45PM:
    Side note- what brand of jeans are those?!
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 11, 2020 · 2:11PM:
      The brand is called Warp + Weft - I think they were in one of my Stitch Fix boxes years ago! I love them, they are my #1 go to. :)
      Reply
  • Holly Rigby November 11, 2020 · 1:48PM:
    My daughter, 44, was diagnosed two years ago as celiac. This week her youngest daughter, 4, is suspected of celiac as well she is scheduled to have an endoscopy at Boston Children’s in two weeks. Any advice from you would be appreciated. As her grandmother I am devastated for her. Thanks...
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 11, 2020 · 2:14PM:
      I'm so sorry to hear that! Thinking of you and your family... I would highly recommend your daughter reach out to a dietitian that specializes in celiac disease - they will be able to help greatly with making meal planning less stressful. She can search for dietitians by expertise and location on the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics "Find an Expert" section of their website. Unfortunately that's not my area of expertise or I'd offer to help myself. And in the meantime, these CPK cauliflower crust pizzas are both gluten free, so if they want pizza tell them to try these. :)
      Reply
  • Taylor November 11, 2020 · 3:10PM:
    Mmm we love frozen pizza & salad as a go-to dinner! Crunchy cauliflower crust sounds divine. I’ll have to try this!
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 12, 2020 · 10:37AM:
      Let me know what you think when you do!
      Reply
  • Roadrunner November 12, 2020 · 10:02AM:
    Looks great, Anne, thanks. Will give it a try.
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 12, 2020 · 10:37AM:
      Enjoy, and let me know what you think when you try it!
      Reply
  • Frances November 13, 2020 · 2:16PM:
    We just had a California Pizza -with cauliflower crust--(the cheese one) and Wow was it good. I have had other brands with a cauliflower crust, ( or regular frozen pizzas for that matter) and have never been too impressed. This one was terrific. I have not had pizza in ages as usually I figure it has too many calories etc. But I trust your recommendations for one thing, and decided to splurge a bit--of course doing as you suggest and is my habit lots of veggies too. That is going to be a go to frozen pizza.
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 16, 2020 · 10:26AM:
      So glad you enjoyed it! I agree, it's by far the best cauliflower crust pizza we've tried too. Great to keep on hand as an easy throw together meal!
      Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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anne mauney

I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

When I’m not writing or cooking for fannetastic food, you can find me running, coaching nutrition clients, or on an adventure with my family. Feel free to reach out - I'd love to hear from you!

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