Savory Deep Dish Spinach & Mozzarella Pizza
Savor the rich flavors of Chicago-style pizza with this Savory Deep Dish Spinach & Mozzarella Pizza. This delectable recipe takes you on a culinary journey where a golden, flaky crust cradles a generous layer of gooey mozzarella and fresh baby spinach tossed with aromatic garlic and pepper. The finishing touch is a vibrant tomato sauce and a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan, making every bite a comforting delight. Perfect for family gatherings or cozy nights in, this pizza is not just food; it's an experience.
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Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive Oil
1 1/2 teaspoons (for greasing the pan)
Chicago Style Deep-Dish Pizza Dough
1 (prepared according to the linked recipe)
Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese
1 1/4 lbs (thickly sliced)
Baby Spinach Leaves
10 ounces (coarsely chopped)
Minced Garlic
1 tablespoon (freshly minced)
Fresh Ground Black Pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Tomato Sauce
3 1/2 cups (prepared according to the linked recipe)
Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup (for topping)
Instructions
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1. Preheat your oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, positioning the rack on the second-lowest level. If you have a baking stone, place it on the rack now to heat up.
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2. Grease a 14-inch round deep-dish pizza pan with 1 1/2 teaspoons of olive oil. Take your Chicago-style deep dish pizza dough and press it evenly into the pan, starting from the center and working your way to the edges until it covers the bottom and rises about 2 inches up the sides.
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3. Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and allow the dough to rise for 15-20 minutes while you prepare the filling.
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4. Once risen, gently press the dough back up the sides of the pan if needed. Layer half of the thickly sliced low-moisture mozzarella evenly over the dough.
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5. In a bowl, combine the coarsely chopped spinach with the minced garlic and a few grinds of fresh black pepper. Distribute this mixture evenly over the mozzarella layer.
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6. Top the spinach with the remaining mozzarella slices, ensuring it covers the mixture completely. Then, ladle the 3 1/2 cups of tomato sauce over the mozzarella layer, smoothing it out as needed.
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7. Finish by sprinkling the freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the sauce.
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8. Place the pizza in the preheated oven (on the rack or the baking stone) and immediately reduce the temperature to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until the crust is a beautiful golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.
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9. Once baked, carefully remove the pizza and cool it on a wire rack for 5-7 minutes.
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10. Use a knife to gently detach the crust from the sides of the pan, then cut the pizza into large wedges. Slide a metal spatula beneath each wedge to lift it out cleanly and serve while hot.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Deep Dish Spinach & Mozzarella Pizza?
It is a Chicago-style deep-dish pizza that features a flaky crust, layers of melted mozzarella, baby spinach seasoned with garlic, and a vibrant tomato sauce topper.
What type of dough is required for this recipe?
This recipe requires Chicago-style deep dish pizza dough, which is specifically formulated to be pressed into a deep pan and hold heavy toppings.
How should the pizza pan be prepared?
Grease a 14-inch round deep-dish pizza pan with 1 1/2 teaspoons of olive oil before pressing the dough into it.
What is the initial preheating temperature for the oven?
The oven should be preheated to 500 degrees Fahrenheit before the pizza is placed inside.
Does the oven temperature change during baking?
Yes, once you place the pizza in the oven, you must immediately reduce the temperature to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Where should the oven rack be positioned for the best results?
The oven rack should be positioned on the second-lowest level.
Can I use a baking stone for this pizza?
Yes, if you have a baking stone, you can place it on the oven rack while preheating to help create a crispier crust.
How long does the dough need to rise in the pan?
After pressing the dough into the pan, allow it to rise for 15 to 20 minutes before adding the fillings.
How high should the dough rise up the sides of the pan?
The dough should be pressed until it covers the bottom and rises about 2 inches up the sides of the deep-dish pan.
What type of mozzarella is recommended?
Low-moisture mozzarella cheese is recommended to prevent the pizza from becoming too watery during the long bake time.
How should the mozzarella cheese be prepared?
The 1 1/4 lbs of mozzarella should be thickly sliced for layering.
How much spinach is needed for the filling?
The recipe calls for 10 ounces of fresh baby spinach leaves.
How do I prepare the spinach for the pizza?
The baby spinach should be coarsely chopped and then tossed with minced garlic and fresh black pepper.
Is the garlic cooked before being added to the pizza?
No, the garlic is minced fresh and mixed directly with the chopped spinach before baking.
What is the layering order for the ingredients?
The layers are: dough, half the mozzarella, spinach mixture, remaining mozzarella, tomato sauce, and finally Parmesan cheese.
How much tomato sauce is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 3 1/2 cups of tomato sauce, which is ladled over the cheese and spinach layers.
What kind of Parmesan cheese should I use?
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is recommended for the final topping.
How long does the pizza bake?
The pizza typically bakes for approximately 30 minutes at 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do I know when the pizza is finished cooking?
The pizza is done when the crust is a beautiful golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.
Should I cool the pizza before serving?
Yes, let the pizza cool on a wire rack for 5 to 7 minutes to allow the layers to set slightly.
How do I remove the pizza from the deep dish pan?
Gently detach the crust from the sides of the pan with a knife, cut into wedges, and use a metal spatula to lift each piece out.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this is a vegetarian-friendly pizza recipe using spinach and cheese as the primary fillings.
What size of pan is specified for this recipe?
A 14-inch round deep-dish pizza pan is the required size.
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh baby spinach?
The recipe specifies fresh baby spinach; if using frozen, ensure it is completely thawed and squeezed dry to avoid a soggy crust.
What flavor profile can I expect from this pizza?
It offers a rich, comforting flavor with aromatic garlic, earthy spinach, salty Parmesan, and sweet, vibrant tomato sauce.
How much garlic is used in the recipe?
One tablespoon of freshly minced garlic is mixed into the spinach filling.
What is the purpose of the black pepper in this recipe?
Fresh ground black pepper is used to season the spinach and garlic mixture for added depth of flavor.
Why is the sauce placed on top of the cheese?
Placing the sauce on top is the traditional Chicago-style method, which protects the cheese from burning during the longer bake time.
Should the dough be covered while it rises?
Yes, cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel during its 15-20 minute rise.
What should I do if the dough slides down the sides of the pan?
After the rise period, gently press the dough back up the sides of the pan if it has slipped before you begin layering the cheese.