Spinach Pizza's Best Cheesy Companions: A Guide

Spinach pizza is a delicious and nutritious meal, perfect for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. The key to a good spinach pizza is the cheese, with a variety of cheeses working well with spinach as a base. Whether you prefer mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, feta, or a blend of Italian cheeses, spinach pizza is a tasty and creative way to get your greens.

Mozzarella, feta, and ricotta

Mozzarella is a classic pizza cheese, and for good reason. It has a mild flavour that pairs well with spinach, and its stretchy, melty texture is a must-have for any pizza.

Feta is a tangy, bold, and salty cheese that adds a nice contrast to the juicy spinach. It's a great way to add a bit of extra flavour to your pizza without overwhelming the other ingredients.

Ricotta is a soft, creamy, and slightly sweet cheese that can be used as a base for your pizza or as a topping. It has a little bit of Italy in every bite, and its mild flavour won't overpower the spinach.

When using fresh spinach, it's important to sauté it first to remove the moisture and bring out its deep flavour. Frozen spinach can also be used, but it should be thawed and dried before adding to the pizza.

• Start with a good pizza dough. You can make your own or use a store-bought option.
• If using feta and ricotta, prepare the cheese by crumbling the feta and mixing the ricotta with seasonings like salt, pepper, and garlic.
• Sauté the spinach with garlic and olive oil until wilted.
• If using mozzarella, add it as a topping along with the spinach and cheese mixture.
• Bake the pizza in a preheated oven until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown.
• Let the pizza cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Parmesan and feta

How to Prepare the Spinach

Spinach pizza is best made with cooked spinach. You can use fresh or frozen spinach, but it's important to remove the excess moisture from the leaves before adding them to your pizza. This is because spinach contains a lot of water, which can make your pizza soggy. To remove the moisture, you can either cook the spinach in a pan or sauté it with garlic. If you're using frozen spinach, make sure to thaw it completely and dry it with a clean kitchen towel.

How to Prepare the Cheese

For Parmesan, you can use either grated or shredded cheese. Feta, on the other hand, is best crumbled into small pieces. You can also mix the feta with ricotta cheese to create a creamy base for your pizza.

Baking the Pizza

When baking your spinach pizza, it's important to preheat your oven and use a hot pizza stone or baking tray. This will help ensure a crispy crust. You can also finish your pizza with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for added flavour and moisture.

Add-ins and Toppings

To enhance your Parmesan and feta spinach pizza, you can add a variety of toppings and add-ins. Here are some ideas:

• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Kalamata olives
• Sliced red onions
• Canned artichokes
• Roasted bell peppers
• Blue cheese
• Ricotta cheese

Fresh vs frozen spinach

When it comes to spinach pizza, you can use either fresh or frozen spinach, and each option has its advantages. Here's a detailed breakdown of the differences between fresh and frozen spinach, so you can decide which one works best for your spinach pizza.

Fresh Spinach

Fresh spinach has a vibrant green colour and a crisp texture. It is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron and folate. When cooked, one pound of fresh spinach yields about 2 cups, and it reduces in volume by up to 90%. Fresh spinach has a mild, slightly sweet flavour that becomes more pronounced when cooked.

When using fresh spinach on your pizza, it is best to sauté it first to remove excess moisture. Simply heat some olive oil in a pan, add minced garlic, and then toss in the spinach leaves. Cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted. You can also add it to the pizza during the last 2-3 minutes of baking, but be mindful that this may not be enough time for the leaves to release their moisture, potentially resulting in a soggy pizza.

Frozen Spinach

Frozen spinach is pre-washed, blanched, and chopped before freezing, making it more convenient for cooked dishes and saving preparation time. It retains most of its nutrients and sometimes even has higher levels of certain vitamins and minerals due to its concentrated form. For example, frozen spinach often has higher levels of vitamin A, folate, and iron compared to fresh spinach.

When using frozen spinach for your pizza, be sure to thaw it completely and remove excess moisture by blotting it with a clean kitchen towel or squeezing it in a fine-mesh strainer. This step is crucial to prevent a soggy pizza. You can add frozen spinach directly to soups and stews without thawing, but for pizza, it is best to use it in its thawed and drained state.

Both fresh and frozen spinach offer unique benefits. Fresh spinach provides a crisp texture and vibrant colour, perfect for salads and quick sautés. Frozen spinach, on the other hand, is more convenient for cooked dishes and saves preparation time. It retains most of its nutrients and can even have higher levels of certain vitamins and minerals. When using either option for your spinach pizza, be sure to remove excess moisture to prevent a soggy pizza base.

Spinach and ricotta base

Ingredients

• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 package (9 oz) baby spinach leaves
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 prebaked thin pizza crust (12-inch)
• Salt and pepper

Method

• Preheat the oven to 450°F.
• Chop the onions and mince the garlic.
• In a large saucepan, heat some olive oil and sauté the onions and garlic for 3 minutes.
• Add the spinach to the pan and cook for another 2 minutes until wilted. Keep stirring to avoid burning.
• In a separate bowl, mix the ricotta, parmesan, and half of the mozzarella until well combined.
• Spread the spinach mixture evenly over the pizza base, leaving a 1-inch border.
• Top with the cheese mixture, spreading it evenly and adding the remaining mozzarella on top.
• Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden.

Tips

• For a more intense flavour, use fresh garlic and grate the parmesan yourself.
• If you want to save time, you can use store-bought, ready-made pizza dough instead of making your own.
• To add some spice, sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top of the pizza before baking.
• If you prefer fresh spinach, add a handful to the pizza during the last 2-3 minutes of baking.
• To prevent a soggy pizza, make sure to remove all excess moisture from the spinach before adding it to the ricotta.

Spinach and garlic

Garlic is a welcome addition to any pizza and can be added in many forms. Whether it's minced garlic, garlic oil, or garlic confit, it will give your spinach pizza that extra kick of flavour. For a more subtle garlic taste, you can season your oil with garlic powder.

When it comes to choosing the right cheese to complement your spinach and garlic pizza, there are several options that will create a delicious blend of flavours.

Mozzarella and spinach is a classic combination that works well on a pizza. The stretchy, gooey mozzarella balances out the spinach, creating a creamy and savoury taste sensation.

For an extra indulgent touch, you can add ricotta cheese to the mix. Ricotta adds a rich and creamy texture to your pizza, making it even more irresistible. This combination is commonly found in Florentine-style pizzas, which are known for their spinach and creamy sauce.

If you're looking for a more tangy flavour profile, feta cheese is an excellent choice. The bold and salty flavour of feta pairs beautifully with spinach, creating a unique and refreshing taste.

Parmesan cheese is another great option to sprinkle on top of your spinach and garlic pizza. It adds a savoury and nutty flavour that blends seamlessly with the other ingredients.

Lastly, an Italian cheese blend is always a safe bet when it comes to pizza. It hits all the right flavour notes and ensures your pizza has a well-rounded, robust taste.

So, the next time you're craving a spinach and garlic pizza, don't be afraid to experiment with these cheese options to find your perfect match!

Frequently asked questions