Vegan Stuffed Crust Pizza

Step 1

First prepare the pizza dough. After the 1 hour rise, place a pizza stone in the oven and preheat to 500 degrees.

Step 2

Combine the ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until completely smooth.

Step 3

Pour mixture into a small saucepan over medium heat. (The mixture cooks quickly so don't walk away!) Stirring constantly, bring to a simmer. Reduce to low heat and cook for one minute, or until thickened (see photos above for reference). Immediately pour into ramekins or a mug, and refrigerate until ready to use.

Step 4

Preheat a sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add the oil and onion to the pan, stirring to coat the onion. Cook undisturbed for several minutes. Lower the heat if the onion begins to brown. Stir and repeat the process until the onions are very soft and just beginning to caramelize, about 25 to 30 minutes. *The idea is not to go to full caramelization because the onions will continue to cook in the oven on top of the pizza. If desired, add a pinch of sugar to enhance the onion's sweetness.

Step 5

Add the mushrooms to the pan. Stirring occasionally, cook until their liquid has released and evaporated. Add a pinch of salt and the spinach. Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until the spinach has wilted. Set mixture aside until ready to assemble the pizza.

Step 6

After the dough has risen, move it to a lightly floured surface. Using the pads of your fingers, gently move around the perimeter of the dough, pressing out to increase the dough in size. For a 13-inch pizza, stretch the dough to 16 inches in diameter. The excess is what you will fold over the cheese.

Step 7

Reserve about ⅓ of the cheese for topping the pizza. Cut the rest into ½-inch-thick strips or pieces. Distribute the cheese around the perimeter of the dough, about one inch from the edge. Fold dough over the cheese, lightly pinching/pressing down to seal the inner edge.

Step 8

If you don't have a pizza peel, remove hot stone from oven. Gently fold prepared dough in half (like a taco shell) to make it easier to transfer to the stone. Carefully place dough on stone and unfold. Top with sauce, onion/shroom mixture, and the remainder of the cheese (simply pinch off pieces and dollop it on top). Add freshly cracked black pepper if desired.

Step 9

Bake until the crust is golden brown, 17 to 20 minutes. If needed, broil for 1 to 2 minutes to brown the top. Let the pizza to cool for a few minutes. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper and vegan parm, slice and enjoy!