Spinach and Artichoke White Pizza

 

This easy ... and quite possibly the most wonderful white pizza... is a fabulous weeknight meal.... one that everyone can enjoy...

TIPS

You can make numerous shortcuts in the prep...

Either make the pizza dough ahead, store it in a plastic bag (Ziplocs work) and refrigerate it... just set it out of the fridge and let it rest for about 30 minutes before using... the same goes for store bought pizza dough.

Another short cut is to use canned artichokes... they're easy to use and no mess.

You can make a cheesy white sauce or you can use a Knorr sauce... their 4 Cheese variety works especially well.... when I use the Knorr sauce packet.. I use fat free half and half instead of milk for a bit thicker and creamier sauce for the pizza.

Frozen spinach will work also.. but I do love fresh spinach.. it only takes a few minutes to wilt it in a large skillet with a little olive oil and minced garlic or in a pinch.. sprinkle garlic powder over it as it cooks.

Serve it with a big salad.. and you have yourself a terrific meal... it bakes in 15 minutes... so supper is on the table fast!

Recipe:  Spinach and Artichoke White Pizza

All you need:

For the Sauce:

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons flour

1 1/2 cups fat free half and half or whole milk

3/4 cup shredded Italian 6-cheese blend cheese

salt and pepper to taste

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

For the Pizza:

1 can artichokes (not marinated), quartered

About 3 cups fresh spinach

About 1 1/2 to 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

About 1-2 tablespoons olive oil

Olive oil cooking spray

Garlic powder

Pizza dough

All you need to do:

Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.

Lightly spray a 16 inch round pizza pan.

If the pizza dough has been refrigerated, remove from the fridge about 30 minutes before spreading it in the pizza pan.

To make the Sauce:

Melt the butter in a saucepan.  Add the flour and whisk until smooth... cook for about a minute over medium heat.  Slowly add the half and half... whisking as you add it.. whisk until smooth and no lumps appear.  Cook over medium heat whisking constantly until it begins to thicken.  Add the garlic powder, salt, pepper and shredded Italian cheese... stir until all cheese has melted.  Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

To prepare the Spinach:

In a medium skillet, drizzle about 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil.. just enough to lightly coat the majority of the pan.  Add the spinach and sprinkle the spinach with garlic powder.  Cook over medium heat until wilted.. don't worry if it is a bit oily... you won't be coating the pizza dough with oil because of the oil that's in the spinach.. it will be fine.

To assemble the Pizza:

Roll and stretch the dough to about a 16-inch circle and place in the pizza pan.  Spread the spinach over the dough leaving a border around the edge for a crust.

With your fingers... break apart the artichokes and spread them over the spinach.  Spread the sauce over the pizza by using a large spoon and drizzling it over the spinach and artichokes... you don't have to spread it perfectly.. as the pizza cooks.. the sauce will spread.

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the top.... the amount is approximate.. if you like cheesy pizza use more.. if you like less cheese.. use a little less.

Bake for 12-15 minutes until cheese is melted.. crust is golden brown and the cheese starts to brown lightly.  All to cool for about 5 minutes before cutting.