Meaty Arugula Pizzas

Name: Meaty Arugula Pizzas
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 2 pizzas (8 pieces each).
Cuisine: Comfort Food Dinner Recipes, Comfort Food Recipes, Italian Dinners, Italian Pizza Recipes, Italian Recipes
Ingredients: 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast; 1-1/2 cups warm water (110° to 115°); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon sugar; 3-1/2 to 4 cups bread flour; 4 teaspoons cornmeal; TOPPINGS:; 1 pound bulk Italian sausage; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 6 garlic cloves, minced; 1-1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese; 1 package (3-1/2 ounces) sliced pepperoni; 4 cups fresh arugula or baby spinach; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; Additional fresh arugula or baby spinach, optional

When I was growing up, my mom always made homemade pizza every Friday night. We'd watch a movie as a family or have friends over, too. Now that I'm married, I carry on the pizza tradition. —Morgan Harvey, Longview, Washington

Ingredients

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
1-1/2 cups warm water (110° to 115°)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon sugar
3-1/2 to 4 cups bread flour
4 teaspoons cornmeal
TOPPINGS:
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 garlic cloves, minced
1-1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 package (3-1/2 ounces) sliced pepperoni
4 cups fresh arugula or baby spinach
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Additional fresh arugula or baby spinach, optional

Directions

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. In a large bowl, combine 2 tablespoons oil, salt, sugar, yeast mixture and 1-1/2 cups flour; beat on medium speed 3 minutes until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours.
Preheat oven to 425°. Grease two 15x10x1-in. baking pans; sprinkle with cornmeal. Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll each into a 15x10-in. rectangle; transfer to prepared pans, pinching edges to form a rim. Cover with plastic wrap; let rest 10 minutes.
In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat 6-8 minutes or until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles; drain. Mix oil and garlic; spread over pizza crusts. Sprinkle each with 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese. Top with pepperoni, arugula, cooked sausage and remaining mozzarella cheese; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Bake 10-15 minutes or until crust and cheese are lightly browned. If desired, top with additional arugula before serving.