Cheesy Turkey Spinach Pita Pizzas
Indulge in these Cheesy Turkey Spinach Pita Pizzas, a healthier twist on classic pizza that's perfect for satisfying your cravings without the guilt! This recipe features flavorful Italian turkey sausage combined with nutrient-rich spinach and a smooth cottage cheese base, replacing ricotta for a lighter option. Topped with melty mozzarella and fresh basil, these easy-to-make individual pizzas are sure to become a favorite for busy weeknights. Serve them hot from the oven for a delicious, cheesy meal that everyone will love. Original recipe courtesy of Melissa Gaman and Cooking Channel.
N/A
Servings
180
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Extra-virgin olive oil
1 (tablespoon)
Italian turkey sausage
4 (ounces, removed from casings)
Garlic cloves
2 (grated)
Frozen leaf spinach
10 (ounces, thawed, squeezed dry and roughly chopped)
2% cottage cheese
1 1/4 (cups)
Whole wheat pita bread
4 (preferably pocketless)
Red onion
1/4 (thinly sliced (about 1/2 small onion))
Shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
4 (ounces (about 1 cup))
Fresh basil leaves
1/2 (cup, torn)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2
In a medium nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian turkey sausage, cooking it while breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until it's browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
3
Stir in the grated garlic and thawed, chopped spinach. Continue to cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring occasionally until the spinach is heated through and well combined with the sausage. Remove the skillet from the heat and set aside.
4
In a food processor, add the cottage cheese and puree until smooth. This will serve as a creamy base for the pizzas.
5
Place the whole wheat pita breads on two baking sheets. Brush each pita evenly with the remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil.
6
Spread a generous layer of the pureed cottage cheese onto each pita, reaching the edges.
7
Top each pita with the cooked turkey sausage and spinach mixture, followed by the thinly sliced red onions and shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese. Ensure an even distribution for maximum flavor.
8
Bake the pitas in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are crisp and the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly.
9
Once out of the oven, scatter fresh torn basil leaves over the top for an aromatic finish. Serve immediately and enjoy your hearty yet light pizzas!
Nutrition Information
6.5g
Fat
18g
Carbs
13.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary base used for these Cheesy Turkey Spinach Pita Pizzas?
The recipe uses whole wheat pita breads, preferably the pocketless variety, as the pizza base.
What temperature should the oven be preheated to?
The oven should be preheated to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
How is the cottage cheese prepared for this recipe?
The 2% cottage cheese should be pureed in a food processor until it is completely smooth to serve as a creamy base.
What type of meat is included in these pita pizzas?
The recipe calls for 4 ounces of Italian turkey sausage with the casings removed.
How long does it take to cook the turkey sausage?
The turkey sausage should be cooked in a nonstick skillet for about 5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
How should the frozen spinach be prepared before adding it to the skillet?
The frozen leaf spinach must be thawed, squeezed dry to remove excess moisture, and then roughly chopped.
What are the nutritional values for calories and protein in this dish?
Each serving contains 180 calories and 13.5 grams of protein.
What is the recommended baking time for the pita pizzas?
Bake the pizzas for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are crisp and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Which cheese is used as the top layer of the pizza?
The pizzas are topped with 4 ounces of shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese.
How should the garlic be prepared for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 garlic cloves that should be grated.
Is any oil used in the preparation of the pita breads?
Yes, each pita should be brushed evenly with extra-virgin olive oil before adding the toppings.
What fresh herb is added as a garnish after baking?
Fresh torn basil leaves are scattered over the top of the pizzas once they are removed from the oven.
What type of onion is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 1/4 of a thinly sliced red onion.
How much fat is contained in one serving of these pizzas?
There are 6.5 grams of fat per serving.
What are the total carbohydrates per serving?
There are 18 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Can I use cottage cheese as a replacement for another common pizza ingredient?
Yes, in this recipe, pureed cottage cheese is used as a lighter replacement for traditional ricotta cheese.
How many pita pizzas does this recipe make?
The recipe is designed to make 4 individual pita pizzas.
What kind of olive oil is recommended?
The recipe specifies using extra-virgin olive oil.
When should the garlic and spinach be added to the sausage?
The garlic and spinach should be stirred into the skillet after the sausage is browned, then cooked for an additional 2 minutes.
Is this recipe suitable for a quick weeknight dinner?
Yes, it is described as an easy-to-make individual pizza recipe perfect for busy weeknights.
Who is the original creator of this recipe?
The original recipe is courtesy of Melissa Gaman and the Cooking Channel.
Should the cottage cheese be spread all the way to the edges of the pita?
Yes, the recipe suggests spreading a generous layer of pureed cottage cheese reaching the edges of each pita.
How many ounces of frozen spinach are needed?
The recipe requires 10 ounces of frozen leaf spinach.
What should the consistency of the sausage be when cooking?
The sausage should be broken into small pieces with a wooden spoon while cooking.
What tools are needed to prepare the cottage cheese base?
A food processor is needed to puree the cottage cheese until it is smooth.
Does this recipe include fiber or sugar data?
The provided nutritional data does not list specific values for fiber or sugar.
How many ingredients in total are required for this recipe?
There are 9 total ingredients required for this recipe.
What is the best way to serve these pizzas?
They should be served immediately while hot from the oven for the best cheesy experience.
What is the total amount of cottage cheese used?
The recipe calls for 1 1/4 cups of 2% cottage cheese.
How much mozzarella cheese is needed per batch?
The recipe requires 4 ounces, which is approximately 1 cup of shredded mozzarella.