Three Cheese Pesto Pizza

Drescription

A rich pizza layered with creamy pesto and a blend of mozzarella, parmesan, and ricotta.

Ingredients

• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry
• yeast
• 1 cup warm water (110 degrees to
• 115 degrees)
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 4 tablespoons olive or vegetable
• oil, divided
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream
• cheese, cubed
• 1/2 pound bulk italian sausage
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup spaghetti sauce
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1 (2.25 ounce) can sliced ripe
• olives, drained
• 1 1/2 cups shredded monterey
• jack cheese

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar; let stand
2. for 5 minutes. Add 3 tablespoons oil, salt and 2 cups flour. Beat
3. until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a firm dough.
4. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic,
5. bout 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease
6. top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
7. Meanwhile, for pesto, place basil and garlic in a blender or food
8. processor; cover and process until smooth. Transfer to a mixing
9. bowl. Add cream cheese and remaining oil; beat until smooth. Set
10. aside. In a skillet, cook sausage and onion over medium heat until
11. meat is no longer pink; drain. Set aside.
12. Punch dough down. On a lightly floured surface, roll into a 15-in. x
13. 10-in. rectangle. Transfer to a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking
14. pan. build up edges slightly. Spread with pesto. Layer with the
15. spaghetti sauce, Parmesan cheese, sausage mixture, mushrooms,
16. olives and Monterey Jack cheese. Bake at 400 degrees F for 30-35
17. minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted.