Spinach, Feta, and Red Pepper Alfredo Pizza

created by Kelly (http://ourlincolnlog.blogspot.com), but based off recipes from Money Saving Mom and The Picky Apple.

Ingredients:

Pizza Crust (use your favorite recipe, or see the one I use below)

Alfredo Sauce:

4 Tbsp. unsalted butter

4 Tbsp. all purpose flour

1 cup milk (2% or whole)

3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (or pecarino romano)

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

dash of black pepper

Toppings:

~1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (highly recommend grating your own cheese!  Buy the ball of mozzarella instead of the prepackaged shredded cheese--it melts AND tastes better!)

1/2 cup baby spinach leaves

1/3 cup roasted red pepper, thinly sliced (I buy these from the olive bar in the deli area at my grocery store.  You can also find them jarred in the specialty Italian section, or you can roast your own)

1/2 cup feta cheese

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  If you are using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while the oven preheats so it is warm.  If you are using a metal pan, spray it with cooking spray.

2.  Prepare the crust dough (see recipe below if needed)

3.  Melt the butter in a medium saucepan on the stove over medium heat.  Whisk in the flour, salt, and pepper and cook 1 minute.  Whisk in the milk, adding a little at a time.  As it thickens, stir in the cheese.  Remove from heat.

4.  Roll out the dough into a circle big enough for your pan.  Place dough on hot pizza stone (you can sprinkle corn meal first, if you want) or your prepared metal pan.  Spoon the alfredo sauce on top--I use about 5 Tbsp. for my pizzas.  You don't want to use too much, or the crust will be soggy.

5.  Top pizza crust with the mozzarella cheese, spinach, red peppers, and feta cheese.

6.  Bake at 425 for 15-18 minutes, or until cheese is melted and slightly golden.

Crust Recipe

from Money Saving Mom

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp. active dry yeast

1 cup warm water (105-115 degrees F)

1 tsp. sugar

1 tsp. kosher salt

2 Tbsp. oil (olive or canola)

2.5 cups all purpose flour (i sometimes substitute a cup of whole wheat for part of the all purpose...but for this particular pizza, i actually prefer all purpose)

Directions:

1.  Combine yeast and water.

2.  In a bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and whisk together.  Pour the water/yeast mix on top and stir to combine.  Cover and let rest 5-10 minutes.

3.  Knead dough on a floured surface for 5 minutes, or until smooth.