The Perfect (Mediterranean) Pizza; Made Con Amore #Ragu

Submitted by CulinaryCutie827

"Ragú® Recipe Contest Entry. It's a Friday night and you're looking for something quick and delicious to feed a hungry (maybe a little hangry) crowd of family, friends or even little ones. This is the perfect pizza to satisfy all (including you!) and can be adapted for those individuals who are lactose-intolerant, as it uses only goat cheese and feta cheese -- make sure to buy 100% goat/sheep feta, its worth it! This Mediterranean pizza will NOT disappoint -- a crispy yet chewy crust with savory sauce, cheese and robust vegetables will transport you to the Italian coast. My husband and I love cooking up this pizza for a crowd of friends on a Friday night and sitting down with them to enjoy good company and good food -- for that's really what Ragu is all about."

 

• Ready In: 40mins
• Ingredients: 16
• Yields: 2 Pizzas
• Serves: 6-8

ingredients

• 3 1⁄2 - 4 cups bread flour
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 1⁄4 teaspoons yeast
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1⁄2 cups water, at 110 degrees f
• 2 tablespoons good quality olive oil, plus two teaspoons
• 1⁄2 cup Ragú® Pasta Sauce
• 1 1⁄2 cups goat cheese
• 1⁄4 cup feta cheese
• 1⁄4 cooked and crumbled bacon
• 3 Italian sausages, cooked and sliced
• 1⁄2 cup fresh diced tomato
• 1⁄2 cup fresh sliced bell pepper
• 1⁄4 cup zucchini
• 1⁄4 cup mushroom (optional)
• 1 teaspoon fresh oregano, chopped finely for topping

directions

1. 1. Combine the bread flour, sugar, yeast and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and combine. While the mixer is running, add the water and 2 tablespoons of the oil and beat until the dough forms into a ball. If the dough is sticky, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together in a solid ball. If the dough is too dry, add additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead into a smooth, firm ball.
2. 2. Grease a large bowl with the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil, add the dough, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put it in a warm area to let it double in size, about 1 hour. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 2 equal pieces. Cover each with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let them rest for 10 minutes.
3. 3. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F, insert pizza stone(s) if you have them. Roll dough out on floured surface with a rolling pin and stretch to make a 12-14 inch pizza. Repeat for the second crust. Place on hot pizza stones (or baking sheets with parchment paper) and brush with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Pre-bake crust for 5-7 minutes until it bubbles slightly at the edges.
4. 4. Take the pizzas out of the oven and top with Ragu sauce, goat and feta cheese, bacon, Italian sausage, tomatoes, peppers and any other vegetables you desire. Place back in the over and bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese has melted slightly and crust is golden brown. Remove from oven carefully and let it sit on a cutting board for a few minutes to "set". Top with chopped fresh oregano. Slice and enjoy!