You’ll Want a Pizza This

What is State College known for? Football, pokey sticks and THON (to name a few). But pizza? Not so much. Compared to Jersey and New York style pizza, State College falls flat.

Not to worry though, we have an alternative to ordering out a sub-par pie. If you love a good slice just as much as VALLEY does, consider making your own pizza using these three easy and delicious combinations for your next night-in dinner inspiration.

Prosciutto, Fig, Arugula with Mozzarella Cheese and Balsamic Drizzle

What You’ll Need

• 1 lb. of store-bought pizza dough
• Olive oil
• Flour
• Salt & pepper
• 8 oz. of mozzarella (shredded)
• 1 cup of arugula
• 7 figs (quartered)
• 3 ounces of prosciutto (torn into small pieces)
• ½ cup of balsamic glaze

What You’ll Do

1. Preheat your oven to 500 degrees.
2. While your oven heats up, sprinkle some flour on your countertop, rolling pin, and pizza dough. Start rolling out the dough until it reaches between 10-12 inches.
3. Once the dough reaches its full diameter, coat both sides with olive oil and place it on a baking pan.
4. Layer on the shredded mozzarella cheese, scatter the quartered figs and dust salt and pepper on top.
5. Place the baking sheet in the oven and let it cook for 10-15 minutes.
6. When finished baking, pull out the baking pan, add on the arugula and drizzle on the balsamic glaze.

Ricotta and Mozzarella Cheese Pizza with Cremini Mushrooms

What You’ll Need

• 1 lb. of store-bought pizza dough
• Olive oil
• Salt & pepper
• 9 oz. of cremini mushrooms (chopped)
• 5 oz. of mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• 5 tbsp. of ricotta cheese
• 3 cloves of garlic (minced)
• ½ cup of arugula

What You’ll Do

1. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.
2. While your oven heats up, sprinkle some flour on your countertop, rolling pin and pizza dough. Start rolling out the dough until it reaches between 10-12 inches.
3. Once the dough reaches its full diameter, coat both sides with olive oil and place it on a baking pan.
4. Take your chopped mushrooms and coat them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place in the oven for about 5-6 minutes.
5. Remove mushrooms from the oven and put them to the side.
6. Take the pizza dough and place it on a baking sheet. Rub on the minced garlic, layer on the mozzarella cheese and sprinkle the mushrooms on top, then place in the oven for about 10-15 minutes.
7. When finished baking, pull out the baking pan, dollop on the ricotta cheese and garnish with the arugula.

Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Pizza

What You’ll Need

• 1 lb. of store-bought pizza dough
• Olive oil
• Flour
• 3 yellow onions
• 2 tbsp. of butter
• 1 cup of broth or water
• 5 oz. of goat cheese

What You’ll Do

Caramelized Onions:

1. Take your peeled onions and slice them lengthwise.
2. Cut two tablespoons of unsalted butter and melt it in a pan over medium/medium low heat.
3. Once melted, place the onions into the pan and saute for 30 minutes.
4. If you notice that the onions are starting to blacken or crisp, add in a little broth or water.
5. Once golden brown, turn off the heat and set aside.

Pizza:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
2. While your oven heats up, sprinkle some flour on your countertop, rolling pin and pizza dough. Start rolling out the dough until it reaches between 10-12 inches.
3. Once the dough reaches its full diameter, coat both sides with olive oil and place it on a baking pan.
4. Bake for 8-10 minutes.
5. When the dough is crisp, remove it from the oven, spread on the goat cheese and layer on your caramelized onions.

Of course there are tons of other sweet and savory combinations out there to try, but these are our favorites. Don’t forget to tag us @VALLEYmag on Instagram when you post your Food Network-esque creations!

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