Best 4 Tuscan Broccoli Pizza Recipes

SAUSAGE AND BROCCOLI PIZZA

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the basil, 1/2 cup of the olive oil, the salt and tomato puree. Stir together until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to allow the flavors to marry.
• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Place a rack on the highest level and leave space on the bottom of the oven for easy access.
• Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and the sausage and cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon to form bite-size pieces, until golden brown and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Add the broccoli to the pan and stir to mix with the sausage. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature.
• Dust an upside-down rimmed baking sheet with the flour. Gently stretch the pizza dough and place on the dusted tray. Continue to stretch out to 1/4-inch thick leaving it a little thicker around the edges. Spread 1 cup of the sauce over the dough and top with the mozzarella. Spread the sausage and broccoli evenly over the crust and top with the Parmesan. Place the sheet tray directly on the bottom of the oven and bake for 5 minutes. Move the tray to the top shelf and finish cooking until golden brown and the crust is cooked, 5 minutes.

DEEP-DISH PIZZA WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND BROCCOLI RABE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the broccoli rabe and blanch for 2 minutes. Drain in a colander and run cold water over. Drain well again and squeeze out excess liquid.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil, chili flakes and garlic in a large saute pan over medium heat and cook for 1 minute. Add the broccoli rabe, salt and pepper and cook until slightly tender, about 5 minutes.
• In a separate large saute pan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil over high heat until the oil begins to shimmer. Add the sausage links and using a wooden spoon, gently break up the meat into coarse pieces. Cook until deep golden brown. (You do not need to cook all the way because it will continue to cook in the oven.) Combine the sausage and the broccoli rabe and let cool slightly.
• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and oregano, bring to a boil and cook until the mixture thickens, about 15 minutes. Stir in the basil and season with salt and pepper. Let cool slightly.
• Dissolve the yeast and water in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the oils and mix for 30 seconds. Add the cornmeal, 3 cups of the flour and salt and beat for 5 minutes. Switch to the dough hook and mix in the remaining 2 1/2 cups of flour and knead, using the dough hook for 2 minutes. Add the butter and knead until incorporated. The dough is a very moist dough so do not add more flour unless absolutely needed.
• Place the dough in a large bowl lightly oiled with vegetable oil, cover with plastic wrap or clean kitchen towels and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes. Punch down the dough and allow to double in size again.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place 2 pizza stones into the oven to preheat as well. Generously oil 2 (9 or 10-inch) deep dish pie pans with olive oil (about 2 tablespoons for each pan).
• Divide the dough in half and press the dough out slightly on the counter top. Place the dough in the prepared pans and push out to cover the bottom and up the side of the pans. (If using the 9-inch pans, pinch a 2-inch ball off each dough to make a better fit.)
• Combine the cheese in a bowl. Place half of the cheese of the bottom of each pie crust. Divide the sausage filling over the cheese and then top with the remaining cheese, patting the cheese firmly down over the filling. Spoon some of the sauce over the top of the cheese to cover completely. Place the pans into the oven on the pizza stones and bake in the oven until golden brown, about 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the top with Parmesan. Let the pizza rest on a baking sheet for 5 minutes before slicing.

BROCCOLI RABE AND SAUSAGE PIZZA

Steps:

• To make the dough, place the water in the bowl of a food processor, add the yeast and sugar, mix lightly, and let proof for about 5 minutes, until bubbles begin to form on the surface. Add the flour, bulgur, all but 1 teaspoon of the olive oil, and the salt, and process for 15 to 20 seconds.
• With the remaining teaspoon of oil, lightly grease the inside of large bowl. Remove the dough from the food processor, shape it into a ball and place it in the oiled bowl, turning it once to coat it with oil on all sides. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, prepare the pizza topping. Place the sausages and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a saucepan and saute for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the sliced garlic and pepper flakes, and stir for 10 to 15 seconds. Mix in the broccoli rabe, still wet from washing. Cover, and cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until the broccoli rabe is wilted. Add the salt and let the mixture cool, uncovered (to prevent discoloration), until lukewarm.
• When ready to cook the pizza, punch down the dough and spread it out by hand onto an aluminum cookie sheet to create a 12-by-14-inch rectangle, approximately 1/4-inch thick. Arrange the sausage and broccoli mixture on top, spreading it to within 3/4-to-1-inch of the edge of the dough. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil evenly over the surface of the topping, and set it aside at room temperature for about 20 minutes to proof the dough.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place pizza in oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until the crust is crisp and brown. Cut into wedges and serve.

ITALIAN-STYLE BROCCOLI

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute onion in oil for 2-3 minutes or until onion is tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 8-10 minutes or until broccoli is crisp-tender.