Author Notes
Officially my favorite deep dish pizza—creamy bechamel, roasted garlic, spicy broccoli rabe, plus plenty of cheese. —Erin Jeanne McDowell
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Ingredients
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Toppings:
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1
head garlic
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3 tablespoons
extra-virgin olive oil, divided
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1/2 bunch
broccoli rabe, ends trimmed and remaining pieces roughly chopped
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1/2 teaspoon
red pepper flakes, or more to taste
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Salt and freshly ground black pepper
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Bechamel:
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2 tablespoons
unsalted butter
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2 tablespoons
all-purpose flour
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1 1/2 cups
whole milk
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1/4 teaspoon
freshly grated nutmeg
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salt and freshly ground black pepper
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Pizza:
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1 1/2 tablespoons
extra-virgin olive oil
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1
recipe Deep Dish Pizza Dough (https://food52.com/recipes...)
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1 1/4 cups
riccota cheese
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4 ounces
fresh mozzarella cheese, diced
Directions
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Prep the toppings: Cut the top 1/4 off the head of garlic, exposing the cloves. Place it on top of a piece of aluminum foil and drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over it. Wrap it fully in the foil and roast at 400°F until the garlic is caramelized and golden, 25-30 minutes. Set aside to cool. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F.
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In a large sauté pan, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add the broccoli rabe and sauté until just barely tender, 6-8 minutes. Season with pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Set aside to cool.
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Make the bechamel: In a medium pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and stir to combine. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture turns lightly golden, 2-3 minutes.
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Stir in the milk and bring to a simmer. Simmer until the sauce is thick, 3-5 minutes. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
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Make the pizza: Generously oil a 12-inch oven-safe skillet with olive oil.
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Using lightly floured or oiled hands, press the dough out into a large circle shape. Use your hands to gently stretch the dough at the edges until it is slightly larger than the pan.
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Transfer the dough to the pan and turn it over to coat it on both sides with oil. Use your fingers to stipple it all over with your fingers to make it evenly cover the base of the pan—it should come up the sides of the pan, too, almost to the edge.
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Let the dough rest for 15-20 minutes. Squeeze the cooled roasted garlic cloves out of their skin.
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Add a thin layer of bechamel (about 1/3 cup) on top of the crust and spread into an even layer. Layer the roasted garlic and broccoli rabe on top of the sauce. Dollop the ricotta over the surface, then sprinkle the mozzarella over the whole thing.
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Drizzle the remaining bechamel on top of the pizza. Bake the pizza until the edges are golden brown and the sauce is bubbly, 35-40 minutes.
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Let cool at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
I always have three kinds of hot sauce in my purse. I have a soft spot for making people their favorite dessert, especially if it's wrapped in a pastry crust. My newest cookbook, Savory Baking, came out in Fall of 2022 - is full of recipes to translate a love of baking into recipes for breakfast, dinner, and everything in between!
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