Spinach Mushroom and Goat Cheese Pizza

I am a huge fan of pizza. Every once in a while I will go out and have a slice to see what toppings are popular. I stopped by a local pizzeria and had a spinach mushroom and goat cheese pizza. It was awesome and instantly knew I would have to recreate this for the blog.

This pizza is extremely popular at my house. The flavor combination is awesome!

Spinach Mushroom and Goat Cheese Pizza

• 1 pizza dough – (recipe for Basic Pizza Dough)
• 1/2 pound mushrooms (any variety will do)
• 1 bag pre-washed baby spinach
• 4-6 oz goat cheese
  
• 1 cup mozzarella
• 1 cup marinara/pizza sauce – (try this Super Quick Marinara)
  
• salt and pepper
• cornmeal or semolina for dusting the peel

The first step is to make the pizza dough and let it rise till it doubles.  Here is a simple and easy pizza dough. If you are running short on time, almost all grocery stores have pre-made pizza dough in the deli section and/or freezer section, or you can always stop by a local pizzeria and purchase the pre-made dough.

Preheat your oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Next heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.  Add the mushrooms  and season with a little salt and pepper.  Let them cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.  This will soften them a tad before we add them to the pizza.

Once the mushrooms start to soften add 2 tablespoons of white wine to the pan and then add the spinach.  I know it looks like a lot, but it will cook down.  Stir the spinach until it is wilted and then take it off the heat.  I place the mushrooms and spinach into a paper towel lined colander to drain.  I have found that this step is necessary or else the pizza will be extremely wet and will not stay crunchy.

Coat a pizza peel or the back of a sheet pan with semolina or cornmeal.  Then spread the pizza dough out over it.  Make sure you make a pizza that will fit on your pizza stone.  I have made some amazing pizzas only to find out that I made them 2-4 inches bigger than my pizza stone.  Lets just say that it is a good thing that I have a self cleaning oven.

Coat the pizza evenly with the marinara sauce.  Then top with the mozzarella cheese.

Now evenly coat the pizza with the spinach and mushrooms.  Make sure once again that they are drained.  If you fail to drain them, you will end up with a pool in the middle of your pizza.  Totally not cool.

Finally top with the goat cheese.  Break off chunks with your fingers and evenly distribute them throughout the pizza.

Place the pizza onto the stone in the preheated 500 degree oven and cook for 10-14 minutes.  When the crust browns and the tips of the goat cheese start to brown, your pizza is ready.

You will probably have to make a couple pizzas.  This pizza does not last long.