Balsamic Mushroom Goat Cheese Pizza with Spinach Recipe

The Perfect Balsamic Mushroom Goat Cheese Pizza with Spinach Recipe

Balsamic mushroom goat cheese pizza combines rustic flavors that enhance ordinary meal moments into culinary adventures.

Earthy ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of textures and tastes that elevate home cooking.

Savory mushrooms caramelize beautifully, releasing deep, robust notes that complement the tangy goat cheese perfectly.

Delicate spinach adds vibrant color and nutrients, making this pizza more than just another dinner option.

Crisp crust serves as a delectable canvas for these remarkable ingredients, promising a sensory experience that delights the palate.

Mediterranean-inspired combinations rarely taste this remarkable, blending traditional techniques with modern culinary creativity.

Homemade pizzas offer unparalleled satisfaction when crafted with passion and fresh, high-quality components.

Why Balsamic Mushroom Goat Cheese Pizza with Spinach Is a Flavor Bomb

  • Burst with Umami Flavors: The combination of crimini mushrooms, goat cheese, and balsamic vinegar creates a deep, rich taste explosion that tantalizes your taste buds with every bite.
  • Master Quick Gourmet Cooking: This pizza recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes, making you feel like a professional chef without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Enjoy Perfectly Balanced Textures: Crispy golden crust meets creamy goat cheese, tender sautéed mushrooms, and fresh spinach leaves, delivering a delightful contrast of textures in each slice.
  • Customize Your Culinary Adventure: The recipe offers flexibility with optional red pepper flakes, allowing you to adjust the heat level and make the pizza uniquely yours, perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients for Mushroom Goat Cheese Pizza

Pizza Base:
  • Pizza Dough: Homemade or store-bought, the foundation of the pizza with a crispy texture.
  • Olive Oil: Adds rich flavor and helps create a golden, crispy crust.
  • Garlic: Provides a warm, aromatic flavor to the pizza base.
Cheese Ingredients:
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Classic melting cheese with a mild, creamy flavor and stretchy texture.
  • Goat Cheese: Tangy and creamy cheese that adds a distinctive, rich flavor to the pizza.
Vegetable and Seasoning Ingredients:
  • Crimini Mushrooms: Earthy and meaty mushrooms that add depth and texture to the pizza.
  • Fresh Spinach: Light, tender green that brings a fresh and nutritious element to the dish.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a spicy kick and warmth to the overall flavor profile.
  • Sea Salt: Enhances and balances the flavors of the other ingredients.
  • Balsamic Vinegar: Thick and sweet-tangy condiment that provides a sophisticated finishing touch.
  • Black Pepper: Adds a mild heat and helps to season the mushrooms.

Steps to Make This Savory Pizza at Home

Step 1: Craft Your Pizza Base

Fire up the oven to a blazing 550°F (290°C). Roll out your pizza dough with love and passion.

Lovingly brush the surface with olive oil and sprinkle minced garlic for an extra flavor punch.

Ingredients:
  • Olive oil
  • Minced garlic

Step 2: Sizzle the Mushrooms

Heat a skillet to medium-high and awaken the red pepper flakes in olive oil.

Toss in sliced crimini mushrooms and let them dance and brown beautifully.

Flip the mushrooms to create a golden crust on both sides.

Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to make them sing.

Set aside your delicious mushroom masterpiece.

Step 3: Build Your Flavor Landscape

Scatter two-thirds of mozzarella cheese across the dough like a delicious blanket.

Artfully distribute the sautéed mushrooms and fresh spinach leaves.

Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and crumble goat cheese on top.

Dust with a light sprinkle of sea salt for that perfect finish.

Step 4: Transform in the Oven

Slide the pizza into the hot oven and bake for 13-15 minutes.

Watch for a golden crust and bubbling, melted cheese.

Let the pizza rest for 3 minutes- patience is key!

Step 5: Final Flavor Flourish

Slice the pizza into 6 gorgeous wedges.

Drizzle balsamic vinegar in elegant swirls.

Optional: Shake some extra red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

Serve and enjoy your culinary creation!

Pizza Tips for a Crisp Crust and Creamy Top

  • Maximize Mushroom Flavor: Ensure mushrooms are completely dry before sautéing to achieve a perfect golden-brown caramelization and prevent soggy pizza.
  • Choose the Right Mozzarella: Use fresh, low-moisture mozzarella to prevent excess water and ensure a crispy, well-baked pizza crust.
  • Control Oven Temperature: Preheat your pizza stone or baking sheet to help create a crisp bottom and prevent a soggy middle.
  • Balance Cheese Distribution: Sprinkle cheese in layers to create even melting and prevent heavy, undercooked cheese spots.
  • Enhance Balsamic Drizzle: Use a high-quality, thick balsamic reduction for a rich, concentrated flavor that complements the earthy mushrooms and tangy goat cheese.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Slices

  • Refrigeration: Store leftover pizza slices in an airtight container or wrapped in aluminum foil for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Reheating Oven: Restore crispy crust by placing pizza slices on a baking sheet, heating at 375°F for 7-10 minutes until cheese melts and edges turn golden.
  • Microwave Option: For quick reheating, place pizza on a microwave-safe plate and warm for 30-45 seconds, but note the crust might become slightly soggy.

What Matches Well with Goat Cheese Pizza

  • Pair with Robust Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the earthy mushrooms and tangy goat cheese, enhancing the pizza's rich flavors.
  • Match with Crisp Arugula Salad: Create a light arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance the pizza's richness, providing a fresh and peppery counterpoint to the heavy cheese and mushrooms.
  • Serve with Craft Beer: Choose a Belgian-style saison or wheat beer with subtle spice notes that will harmonize with the red pepper flakes and cut through the creamy goat cheese, creating a delightful taste experience.
  • Complement with Sparkling Water: Add a zesty citrus-infused sparkling water to cleanse the palate between bites, refreshing the taste buds and highlighting the pizza's complex flavor profile.

Different Takes on This Pizza Combo

  • Mediterranean Marvel: Replace crimini mushrooms with roasted artichoke hearts, swap goat cheese for feta, and sprinkle za'atar spice blend before baking for a Greek-inspired version.
  • Smoky Southwest Style: Use chipotle pepper instead of red pepper flakes, add grilled corn kernels, substitute goat cheese with pepper jack, and drizzle with chipotle-lime crema after baking.
  • Autumn Harvest Edition: Incorporate roasted butternut squash cubes, caramelized onions, use fontina cheese alongside goat cheese, and finish with fresh thyme leaves for a seasonal transformation.
  • Protein Power Pizza: Top with grilled chicken strips, include sun-dried tomatoes, use a blend of parmesan and mozzarella, and garnish with fresh basil leaves after baking for extra protein and flavor.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Balsamic Mushroom Goat Cheese Pizza with Spinach Recipe

Balsamic Mushroom Goat Cheese Pizza with Spinach Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x

Description

Balsamic mushroom goat cheese pizza combines earthy mushrooms, tangy goat cheese, and fresh spinach for a gourmet twist on classic pizza. Rustic Italian flavors meld perfectly, creating a delightful experience you’ll savor down to the last crispy bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Pizza Base:

  • 1 pizza dough for a 12-inch pizza

Cheese:

  • 1 cup (226 grams) mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 3 ounces (85 grams) crumbled goat cheese

Vegetables and Mushrooms:

  • 3 ounces (85 grams) crimini mushrooms, sliced
  • ½ cup (30 grams) fresh baby spinach leaves
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Oils and Seasonings:

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • Sprinkle of sea salt

Finishing Sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon thick balsamic vinegar

Instructions

  1. Transform your pizza stone or baking sheet by preheating the oven to an intense 550°F, creating the perfect environment for a crispy crust.
  2. Roll out the pizza dough into a thin, rustic circle, ensuring an even surface for toppings. Massage olive oil across the dough, infusing it with a golden sheen.
  3. Scatter minced garlic uniformly, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the foundation of your culinary creation.
  4. Heat a skillet to medium-high temperature, introducing olive oil and red pepper flakes. Allow the oil to shimmer with anticipation.
  5. Introduce sliced crimini mushrooms to the sizzling pan, letting them caramelize undisturbed for two minutes. Flip and repeat, creating a rich, golden exterior.
  6. Season the mushrooms with salt and pepper, developing a deep, savory profile. Remove from heat and reserve.
  7. Distribute two-thirds of the mozzarella across the prepared dough, creating a molten base for subsequent layers.
  8. Artfully arrange the sautéed mushrooms and fresh spinach leaves atop the cheese, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients.
  9. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella, followed by delicate crumbles of tangy goat cheese, adding textural complexity.
  10. Enhance the pizza with a light dusting of sea salt, elevating the overall flavor profile.
  11. Slide the pizza into the scorching oven, allowing it to transform for 13-15 minutes until the crust achieves a golden-brown perfection and cheese bubbles enticingly.
  12. Permit the pizza to rest for three minutes, allowing the molten cheese to stabilize and flavors to meld.
  13. Slice into six generous wedges, revealing the intricate layers of ingredients.
  14. Finish with a graceful drizzle of thick balsamic vinegar, creating a glossy, tangy finale. Optionally, sprinkle additional red pepper flakes for those craving extra heat.

Notes

  • Elevate your pizza game with this gourmet combination of earthy mushrooms, creamy goat cheese, and vibrant spinach.
  • Ensure your oven is scorching hot at 550°F to achieve that perfect crispy crust and beautifully melted cheese.
  • Sauté mushrooms until they develop a rich, golden-brown color for maximum flavor intensity and a meaty texture.
  • Use fresh spinach leaves to add a pop of color, nutrition, and a subtle peppery freshness to the pizza.
  • Drizzle balsamic vinegar just before serving to enhance the overall taste profile with a tangy, sweet-acidic finish.
  • Optional red pepper flakes can kick up the heat and add a delightful spicy dimension to this sophisticated pizza.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2
  • Calories: 410
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 720 mg
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 17 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star