Cheese Spread On Pizza: A Quick Guide

how to use cheese spread in pizza

Cheese spread is a versatile ingredient that can be used to make a variety of dishes, including pizza. While making a pizza, you can use a ready-made pizza base or make the dough from scratch. For the sauce, you can either use a store-bought pizza sauce or make your own by combining tomato paste, tomato puree, garlic mince, and basil. The cheese spread can be spread on top of the sauce, followed by mozzarella cheese, onions, and tomatoes. The pizza is then baked in the oven for 11 to 13 minutes at 500 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also experiment with different types of cheese spreads, such as garlic boursin, garlic feta, tuna cheese spread, or smoked salmon spread.

Characteristics and values of using cheese spread on pizza

Characteristics Values
Dough Homemade or store-bought
Dough preparation Warm dough, pat into a thin disc, stretch and push to fit the pan
Sauce Homemade or store-bought tomato paste, tomato puree, garlic mince, basil
Cheese spread Boursin, feta, tuna, smoked salmon, blueberry, spicy cranberry
Cheese Mozzarella, parmesan, parmigiano-reggiano
Toppings Onion, tomatoes, chillies, chives, oregano
Baking 11-13 minutes at 500°F, or 12-14 minutes at 450°F

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Making the dough

To make the dough, you will need flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and olive oil. Mix these ingredients together in a large bowl, gradually adding water to form a soft dough. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. This process can be done by hand or with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Once the dough is ready, place it in an oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until it has doubled in size.

After the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air, and divide it into two equal portions. Use a rolling pin to roll each portion into a circle on a lightly floured surface. You can also stretch the dough with your hands, using your fingertips to press a ring around the edge to form the crust, and then use your knuckles to gently stretch the dough into a circle. Aim for a 12-inch circle, but don't worry if it's not perfectly round. Transfer the dough to a non-stick baking sheet or a preheated sheet pan for a crispier crust.

Now your pizza dough is ready for the sauce and toppings!

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Preparing the sauce

Ingredients

To make the sauce, you will need the following ingredients:

  • Tomato paste
  • Tomato puree
  • Garlic mince
  • Basil

Mixing the Sauce

In a small bowl, combine the tomato paste, tomato puree, garlic mince, and basil. Mix these ingredients until they form a smooth and well-incorporated sauce. Adjust the proportions of each ingredient to your taste preferences. For instance, if you prefer a stronger garlic flavour, add more garlic mince.

Spreading the Sauce

Once you have prepared your pizza dough and have it ready on a baking sheet or pizza pan, it is time to spread the sauce. Using a spoon or spatula, gently spread the sauce onto the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edge for the crust. Ensure that the sauce is evenly distributed and not too thick or too thin.

Adding the Cheese Spread

After spreading the sauce, it is time to add the cheese spread. Carefully spread the cheese spread over the sauce, ensuring it is evenly distributed. You can use any type of cheese spread you prefer, such as garlic boursin cheese spread, garlic feta cheese spread, or even something more adventurous like tuna cheese spread or smoked salmon spread.

Finalizing the Pizza

Once the sauce and cheese spread are in place, you are almost ready to bake your pizza. Follow the subsequent steps of adding mozzarella cheese, onions, and tomatoes as toppings. Then, bake your pizza in the oven at the recommended temperature and time, and your delicious pizza with cheese spread will be ready to enjoy!

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Adding cheese spread

Prepare the Dough

Firstly, you can opt for a ready-made pizza base, or you can make your own dough. If you choose to make your own, simply follow a basic pizza dough recipe and allow it to prove. Once your dough is ready, roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough to a non-stick baking sheet or a preheated sheet pan for a crispier crust.

Create the Sauce

For the sauce, you can either make your own or use a store-bought option. If you are making your own, simply combine tomato paste, tomato puree, garlic mince, and basil in a small bowl. You can also add other herbs like oregano to taste.

Spread the Cheese

Now, it's time for the cheese! Spread your chosen cheese spread onto the sauce. You can use a simple cheese spread like garlic boursin or feta, or something more adventurous like tuna or smoked salmon. For a super cheesy pizza, add some shredded mozzarella on top of the cheese spread.

Add Toppings

At this stage, you can add your desired toppings. For a classic flavour profile, add a layer of sliced onions and tomatoes. You could also add chillies for a spicy kick. If you're feeling adventurous, you could experiment with sweet and savoury combinations, like blueberries or cranberries.

Bake and Serve

Finally, bake your pizza in a preheated oven at around 500 degrees Fahrenheit for 11 to 13 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling. Allow the pizza to cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your delicious, cheesy creation!

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Adding toppings

Next, spread your cheese spread on the sauce. You can use a simple cheese spread, or something more exotic, like garlic boursin, garlic feta, or tuna cheese spread. You could even add some fruit to make a blueberry or spicy cranberry cheese spread.

Now, add your mozzarella cheese. You can slice or shred it yourself, but be aware that fresh mozzarella has a lot of moisture, which can make your pizza soggy. You can also add another cheese, like parmesan, for a salty kick.

Finally, add your toppings. You can use onions and tomatoes, chillies, or something like chives and oregano for a more subtle onion and garlic flavour. You could also add something like giardiniera, a pickled vegetable relish.

When you are happy with your toppings, bake your pizza in a hot oven. The temperature and cooking time will depend on your oven, but generally, a pizza will take between 11 and 15 minutes to cook at around 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Baking the pizza

To make a pizza with cheese spread, you'll first need to prepare your pizza dough. You can make your own dough or use a ready-made pizza base. If you're making your own, dust a clean work surface with all-purpose flour and form your pizza dough into a round, large enough to fit your pizza peel or pan. Avoid rolling out the dough, as this can flatten the bubbles that have formed. Instead, use your fingers to make dimples in the dough, starting from the centre and working outwards. Carefully stretch and push the dough to fit your pizza pan or peel, using a light touch to maintain as many air pockets in the dough as possible.

Once your dough is ready, it's time to assemble your pizza. First, spread your sauce over the pizza, leaving a thin edge untouched for the crust. You can use homemade or store-bought pizza sauce, or even spaghetti sauce in a pinch.

Next, it's time to add the cheese. For a pizza with cheese spread, spread your cheese spread on the sauce, followed by a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese. You can also add other shredded cheeses like parmesan, or Parmigiano-Reggiano, for a salty kick.

Finally, add your toppings. For a pizza with cheese spread, you can top with onions and tomatoes in a single layer. You could also add fresh herbs like chives and dried oregano, or even spicy toppings like chillies.

Once your pizza is assembled, it's time to bake it! Preheat your oven to a high temperature, ideally between 425° Fahrenheit and 550° Fahrenheit (218°C to 288°C). Place your pizza in the oven and bake for 6 to 15 minutes, depending on your oven temperature. If using an oven at 500° Fahrenheit, bake for 11 to 13 minutes. For a crispier crust, you can preheat your sheet pan in the oven before adding your dough.

Your pizza is ready when the crust is golden brown and the cheese has melted with golden spots. Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. This gives the cheese time to firm up, making it easier to cut and ensuring the slices hold together. Enjoy your homemade pizza with cheese spread!

Frequently asked questions

Mozzarella is a classic choice for pizza, and can be used alongside a cheese spread. It is recommended to use pre-shredded mozzarella as fresh mozzarella contains a lot of moisture which can make the pizza watery.

It is recommended to shred your own cheese. Placing the shredded cheese in the freezer for 30 minutes before adding it to the pizza will help to ensure the cheese is creamy and not too browned.

The baking time for a pizza with cheese spread is between 11 and 13 minutes at 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The lower the temperature, the longer the pizza will take to bake and the less bubbly the cheese will be.

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