Sausage Spinach Pizza

I stole this recipe for Sausage Spinach Pizza from The Taste of Home Cookbook who stole it from Elena Falk from Versailles, OH. Italian seasoning and Asiago cheese are mixed into pizza dough before it is cooked. Fresh spinach is cooked with Italian sausage before being placed on the crust. The homemade seasoned pizza dough gives this recipe for Sausage Spinach Pizza more flavor the delivery pizza.

October 11th is National Sausage Pizza Day (to see more Food Holidays click National Food Holidays), and this recipe for Sausage Spinach Pizza is a great way to celebrate!

Dissolve 1 package active dry yeast in 1 cup warm water (110 to 115 F). In a large bowl add 2 ¼ cups flour, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp sugar, 2 tsp Italian seasoning and ½ tsp salt.

Pour dissolved yeast into bowl, beat on medium speed 3 minutes or until smooth.

Stir in ½ cup shredded Asiago cheese. Turn onto a lightly floured surface.

Knead until smooth and elastic, about 5-6 minutes.

Place in bowl coated with cooking spray, turning once to coat the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 425 F. Punch dough down and let rest 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, cook ¾ lb Italian sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Mix in 10 oz box of frozen spinach that has been thawed and drained.

Divide dough in half. On a floured surface, roll each portion into a 13 inch circle.

Transfer to two 12 inch pizza pans coated with cooking spray. Build up edges slightly. Prick dough thoroughly with a fork. Bake 5-8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.

Spread pizza sauce over crusts; layer with sausage, spinach and and provolone cheese.

Bake 8-12 minutes or until crusts and cheese are lightly browned.

Slice and serve!

Sausage Spinach Pizza

Italian seasoning and Asiago cheese are mixed into pizza dough before it is cooked. Fresh spinach is cooked with Italian sausage before being placed on the crust. The homemade seasoned pizza dough gives this recipe for Sausage Spinach Pizza more flavor the delivery pizza.

Course Entree
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings 8 people

Ingredients

  • 1 package ¾ oz active dry yeast
  • 1 cup warm water 110 to 115 F
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup shredded Asiago cheese
  • ¾ lb Italian turkey sausage links thinly sliced
  • 1 can (14 ½ oz) Italian diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 6 slices reduced-fat provolone cheese halved

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add flour, oil, sugar, Italian seasoning and salt; beat on medium speed 3 minutes or until smooth. Stir in Asiago cheese.
  2. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 5-6 minutes. Place in bowl coated with cooking spray, turning once to coat the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  3. Preheat oven to 425 F. Punch dough down; divide in half. On a floured surface, roll each portion into a 13 inch circle. Transfer to two 12 inch pizza pans coated with cooking spray. Build up edges slightly. Prick dough thoroughly with a fork. Bake 5-8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
  4. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Place tomatoes in a food processor; cover and pulse until finely chopped.
  5. Spread tomatoes over crusts; layer with spinach, sausage and provolone cheese. Bake 8-12 minutes or until crusts and cheese are lightly browned.

Recipe Notes

Instead of fresh spinach, I use a 10 oz box of frozen spinach; I thaw and drain the spinach. Cook the spinach in the skillet with the sausage, it gives it more flavor. You can also sprinkle in some onion and garlic powder. A can of pizza sauce can be used instead of using the seasoned tomatoes. Reduced fat mozzarella cheese can be used instead of the provolone, I used grated instead of sliced because it is easier for me to find.