Sheet-Pan Pizza with Artichokes and Arugula

 

This bright and springy sheet-pan pizza is Inspired by one of my favorite late-night slices from Artichoke in New York City. This iconic pizza shop serves up a monster slice loaded with béchamel, mozzarella, pecorino and artichokes. In this version, I lighten the toppings a bit with a garlic-olive oil base, gooey cheese, lemon zest and marinated artichokes, plus a fresh salad of peppery arugula and tender green herbs piled on top before serving. It’s your pizza and your salad all in one bite and a superb weeknight one-pan dinner.

 
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Serves 4

  • 3 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 pound store-bought pizza dough, at room temperature

  • One 7.5-ounce jar marinated artichokes

  • ⅓ cup finely ground pecorino cheese

  • ¼ to ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper

  • Zest of ½ a lemon

  • 1 large garlic clove, finely grated

  • 2½ cups shredded whole milk mozzarella

  • 2 cups baby arugula and/or watercress

  • 1 cup loosely packed fresh herbs, such as basil, dill, parsley and tarragon

  • Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling


    1. On a large rimmed baking sheet, drizzle 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add the pizza dough and turn to coat. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let sit at room temperature for 1 hour.

    2. Meanwhile, set a fine mesh sieve over a small bowl. Drain the marinated artichoke hearts, reserving the oil. In a small bowl, toss the pecorino with the crushed red pepper and lemon zest, reserving the zested lemon half for serving. In a separate small bowl, whisk the grated garlic with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

    3. Preheat the oven to 500°F. Using your hands, stretch the dough to fill the entire baking sheet (the dough should be thin). If the dough springs back, let it rest for a few minutes before stretching again. Brush the top of the dough with the garlic oil.

    4. Scatter the mozzarella over the pizza, leaving a ½-inch border. Tear the marinated artichokes into bite size pieces and scatter them over the mozzarella. Sprinkle the pecorino mixture over the top. 

    5. Bake the pizza until the dough is golden and puffed and the cheese is melted and beginning to brown in spots, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.

    6. When you’re ready to serve, scatter the arugula and herbs over the top of the pizza. Drizzle some of the reserved artichoke oil over the greens and squeeze the reserved lemon half over the top, then sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Cut into squares and serve right away.