1Homemade Whole Wheat Pizza Dough(freeze the second dough for another time or make 2 pizzas; or swap your favorite store-bought dough)
1/3cupthinly sliced sun-dried tomatoesoil-packed or dry-packed
1tablespoonplus 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
5ouncesbaby spinachabout 5 cups
1/4teaspoongarlic powder
Pinchred pepper flakesoptional
3/4cuppart-skim ricotta cheese
1/2teaspoonkosher saltplus an additional pinch
1/2cupfreshly shredded mozzarella
Chopped fresh basil leaves
Instructions
While the dough is rising, position an oven rack in the upper third (4 to 5 inches from the top). Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F (or as high as your oven will go). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats.
If the sun-dried tomatoes are oil-packed: drain them and pat dry. If they are dry-packed, place them in a small bowl and cover with hot water to rehydrate. Let rest for 5 minutes, then pat dry. Set aside.
In a large skillet, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the spinach and garlic powder. Sauté until the greens are soft and wilted, a minute or two for spinach. Stir occasionally. It will look like way too many greens at first but will cook down significantly. Set aside.
Turn the pizza dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and roll into a 12-inch circle. If the dough stretches back on you, let it rest for several minutes, then try again (you can't rush stubborn dough).
If cooking on a pizza stone: transfer the dough to a sheet of broiler-safe parchment paper placed on the back of a flat baking sheet (this is what I do) or a cornmeal-dusted pizza peel. If you do not have a pizza stone, lightly dust a regular baking sheet with flour or cornmeal, then place the shaped dough directly in the center.
Assemble the ricotta pizza: scatter the sautéed spinach over the top, then dollop with ricotta. Sprinkle the kosher salt evenly over the top. Add the mozzarella, then sun-dried tomatoes.
Carefully slide the pizza onto the stone, either with the peel or by sliding the sheet of parchment and pizza onto the stone together. (If using a baking sheet instead of a stone, simply pop the pizza into the oven) Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the crust is golden and slightly blistered, rotating 180 degrees halfway through. Transfer to a cutting board and finish with chopped basil. Sprinkle with a final pinch of salt (Note: do not use table salt or the pizza will be too salty). Slice and enjoy hot.
Notes
TO STORE: Leftover pizza slices may be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
TO REHEAT: Warm in the center of a 450 degree F oven for approximately 6 minutes, on a pizza stone if possible, until heated through.
TO FREEZE: Store leftover ricotta pizza in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen as directed above until heated through.