Chicago-style Deep-dish Spinach Pizza

Description

Contributed by Jenn B aka Mom2Sam and Tiny at World Recipes Y-Group

• Source: Better Homes and Gardens
• Prep: 25 minutes | Bake: 40 minutes | Cool: 10 minutes | Stand: 10 minutes
• Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

• ¾ pound bulk Italian sausage
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 x 8-ounce can pizza sauce
• 1 x 4-ounce can sliced mushrooms, drained
• 1 x 3-ounce package sliced pepperoni
• 2 tablespoons snipped fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried basil, crushed
• 1 tablespoon snipped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 x 16-ounce loaf frozen whole-wheat bread dough or white bread dough, thawed
• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (6 ounces)
• 1 x 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
• 1 slightly beaten egg
• 1 tablespoon margarine or butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese or Romano cheese

Directions

Meat filling

1. In a large skillet cook Italian sausage and onion until meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain Fat.
2. Pat with paper towels to remove additional fat.
3. Stir in pizza sauce, mushrooms, pepperoni, basil, oregano, and red pepper.

Crust

1. On a lightly floured surface roll ⅔ of the bread dough into a 12-inch circle. (if necessary, let dough rest once or twice during rolling.)
2. Carefully place the circle in a greased 9-inch spring-form pan, pressing the dough 1½ inches up the sides.

Pizza

1. Sprinkle bottom of the dough with ½ cup of the mozzarella cheese.
2. Spoon meat filling over cheese.
3. Pat spinach dry with paper towels.
4. Mix spinach, egg, and remaining mozzarella cheese.
5. Spread spinach mixture over meat filling.
6. Roll remaining dough into a 10-inch circle on a lightly floured surface.
7. Cut circle into 10 to 12 wedges.
8. Arrange wedges atop spinach mixture, slightly over-lapping edges and sealing ends to bottom crust along edge of pan.
9. Brush top with melted margarine or butter and sprinkle with Parmesan or Romano cheese.
10. Bake in a 375°F oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until filling is hot and bread is done. If Necessary, cover with foil the last 10 minutes of baking to prevent over-browning.
11. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove sides of spring-form pan.
12. Cut into wedges.