If you’re craving a pizza that feels both indulgent and fresh, the Spinach and Feta Pizza with Béchamel Sauce Recipe is exactly what you need. This delightful dish brings together creamy béchamel, vibrant spinach, and tangy feta atop a golden crust, creating a perfect harmony of flavors and textures. It’s a pizza that manages to be both comforting and sophisticated, perfect for a family dinner or impressing friends without any fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is half the fun, and this recipe keeps it simple yet full of character. Each component plays a key role in achieving the perfect balance of creaminess, freshness, and crispness on your pizza.
- 1 lb Pizza dough: The sturdy foundation for your toppings; a crispy crust is essential.
- 1 tbsp olive oil: Adds a subtle richness and helps soften the onions.
- ⅓ cup onion, diced: Gives sweetness and depth once sautéed.
- ⅛ tsp salt: Enhances flavor in both vegetable and béchamel components.
- 1 tsp minced garlic: Brings aromatic warmth that pairs beautifully with spinach.
- 4 cups spinach, packed: Provides a fresh, slightly earthy taste and vibrant color.
- ¾ cups mozzarella, shredded: Melts beautifully to create gooey, comforting pockets.
- ½ cup feta, crumbled: Adds tangy, salty bursts that contrast delightfully with the béchamel.
- 1 ½ tbsp pine nuts: Toasted to bring out a buttery crunch and nutty flavor.
- For the béchamel sauce: 1 ½ tsp butter, 1 ½ tsp flour, ⅓ cup milk, dash of nutmeg, dash of salt; together create a silky, creamy base that elevates every bite.
How to Make Spinach and Feta Pizza with Béchamel Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Preparing Your Pizza Base
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F. Roll out the pizza dough into a 12-inch circle. This gives you the perfect canvas for your toppings. Set this aside momentarily while you prepare everything else; the crust will crisp up beautifully once baked later on.
Step 2: Cooking the Spinach and Aromatics
Heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onions along with a pinch of salt. Cook them until they become soft and translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Then stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until you can smell that beautiful fragrance filling the kitchen. Next, add the fresh spinach and cook just until it wilts. Set this flavorful mixture aside—this will be one of your pizza’s star layers.
Step 3: Crafting the Béchamel Sauce
In a clean skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously to form a smooth paste. Slowly pour in the milk, stirring to keep everything lump-free. Season with a dash of nutmeg and salt for that classic béchamel charm. Keep whisking over medium heat until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, which usually takes around 5 minutes. This creamy sauce will add a luxurious touch to your pizza, taking it beyond the ordinary.
Step 4: Toasting the Pine Nuts
Place the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Keep stirring them frequently to ensure even toasting. After 4 to 8 minutes, once they turn a beautiful golden brown and release a warm aroma, remove them from the pan. These will add a lovely crunch and nutty nuance to the finished pizza.
Step 5: Assembling and Baking the Pizza
Now for the exciting part. Spread a thin, even layer of your béchamel sauce over the rolled dough. Next, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella generously on top. Follow by distributing the cooked spinach, then crumble the feta evenly across the surface. Finally, scatter the toasted pine nuts to complete the topping ensemble. Transfer your creation to the oven and bake for 10 to 14 minutes, or until the crust turns a golden crust and cheese bubbles invitingly.
How to Serve Spinach and Feta Pizza with Béchamel Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate the pizza even further, consider a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes for a gentle kick. Freshly cracked black pepper and some chopped fresh herbs like basil or oregano can add vibrant color and fresh fragrance that beautifully complement the rich flavors.
Side Dishes
This pizza pairs perfectly with simple, fresh sides—think a crisp arugula salad tossed with lemon vinaigrette or a tangy cucumber and tomato salad. These light accompaniments cut through the richness and keep the meal feeling balanced and satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the pizza on a wooden board for a rustic touch or cut it into bite-sized squares for a fun appetizer-style presentation. You might even pair slices with a glass of chilled white wine or a crisp sparkling water with a lemon twist to highlight the flavors in a special way.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover slices can be kept fresh by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap or storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This pizza holds up well for up to 3 days, making it great for enjoying later without losing that creamy, cheesy goodness.
Freezing
You can freeze the prepared pizza before baking by wrapping it securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. It will keep well for up to 1 month. When ready to eat, bake it directly from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time to ensure it heats through thoroughly.
Reheating
The best way to reheat this pizza is in the oven at 375°F for about 8 to 10 minutes. This helps retain the crispiness of the crust and keeps the béchamel sauce silky and luscious. Avoid the microwave if you can, as it tends to make the crust soggy.
FAQs
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen spinach, but be sure to thaw and squeeze out excess water before cooking. This prevents sogginess and keeps the flavors concentrated.
Is béchamel sauce difficult to make?
Not at all! It’s quite simple once you remember to whisk continuously to avoid lumps and watch it thicken nicely. It’s worth the little effort because it adds incredible creaminess to the pizza.
Can I substitute feta with another cheese?
While feta’s tanginess is distinctive, you can substitute with goat cheese or ricotta for a different twist. Each brings its own unique creamy-salty flavor profile.
How crispy will the pizza crust be?
If you roll out your dough evenly and bake at a high temperature like 425°F, you’ll get a delightfully crisp crust that contrasts wonderfully with the creamy toppings.
Can I add other vegetables to this pizza?
Absolutely! Sliced mushrooms or artichoke hearts would pair nicely with the spinach and feta without overwhelming the béchamel’s delicate flavor.
Final Thoughts
Making the Spinach and Feta Pizza with Béchamel Sauce Recipe is such a rewarding experience because it transforms everyday ingredients into something truly special. Once you try this creamy, flavor-packed pizza, it’s sure to become a beloved favorite in your kitchen. Give it a go—you might just surprise yourself with how quickly it disappears at the table!
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Spinach and Feta Pizza with Béchamel Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Spinach and Feta Pizza combines a rich béchamel sauce base with sautéed spinach, mozzarella, tangy feta cheese, and toasted pine nuts on a crispy 12-inch pizza crust. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers a flavorful vegetarian option perfect for a quick and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Béchamel Sauce
- 1 ½ tsp butter
- 1 ½ tsp flour
- ⅓ cup milk
- Dash of nutmeg
- Dash of salt
Spinach & Feta Pizza
- 1 lb pizza dough
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ⅓ cup onion, diced
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 4 cups spinach, packed
- ¾ cup mozzarella, shredded
- ½ cup feta, crumbled
- 1 ½ tbsp pine nuts
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dough: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Roll out the pizza dough to form a 12-inch pizza and set aside for later assembly.
- Cook the spinach mixture: Heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and salt, cooking for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook another minute until fragrant. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Make béchamel sauce: In a separate nonstick skillet, melt butter and whisk in flour to form a paste. Slowly add milk, nutmeg, and salt while whisking to keep smooth. Continue heating and stirring for about 5 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, then remove from heat.
- Toast pine nuts: Heat pine nuts in a nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 4-8 minutes until they become golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Assemble the pizza: Spread a thin layer of béchamel sauce evenly over the pizza dough base. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Distribute the cooked spinach mixture evenly on top, then add crumbled feta cheese and toasted pine nuts.
- Bake the pizza: Place the assembled pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 10-14 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, pre-bake the rolled dough for 5 minutes before adding toppings.
- Use fresh spinach for the best flavor and texture.
- To toast pine nuts evenly, keep stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- You can substitute the béchamel sauce with a white sauce or omit it for a lighter pizza.
- Ensure the béchamel sauce is thick enough to prevent soggy crust.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: Pizza
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean