Spinoccoli Pizza

I love a traditional pizza with tomato sauce and lots of cheese, but sometimes I’m in the mood for something different.  This spinoccoli pizza definitely fits the bill of being different but oh so delicious. Pizza with a creamy Parmesan white sauce, sprinkled with broccoli , spinach, and two types of cheese? Sign me up. This pizza comes together quickly, in less than 5 minutes. So throw your pizza stone in the oven to preheat while you chop up the broccoli and make the sauce. While there aren’t many things better than a greasy cheese pizza from your favorite pizza shop, this pizza will certainly give it a run for it’s money!

Spinoccoli Pizza
Source: Adapted from Annies Eats

Ingredients:

1/2 batch Perfect Pizza Crust
1 1/2 cups of fresh broccoli, chopped into small florets
1 cup of fresh baby spinach, torn
3 oz. mozzarella, shredded
3 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded
1 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. flour
1 cup fat free or regular half and half *
6 tbsp. Parmesan cheese
1 clove of garlic, smashed
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil

*The original recipe uses heavy cream, which is something I never use except in desserts. I have never had a problem with using fat free half and half or skim milk. It’s your choice!

Preheat oven with pizza stone in it to 500 degrees. In a small sauce pan, melt butter and then add flour.  Whisk until golden brown and fully incorporated into the melted butter, about 1 minute. Add garlic clove. Whisk in half and half. Bring sauce to a simmer until thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. Off the heat, add Parmesan cheese and whisk until smooth. Remove garlic clove and then add salt and pepper to taste.