Spicy Bean Feast Pizza

Q was very proud of this heart shaped pizza and was highly disappointed at my lack of enthusiasm for his "mad skills" as a pizza dough shaper. It's really an interesting combination of flavors: beans, meat sauce, sharp & tangy cheddar cheese and fresh grassy parsley. We really dug this pizza so you should try it too! This will make enough for 2 small pizzas which I'd say would feed about 6 people or great for leftovers is you're like us and just have 2 people to feed. 

ingredients

• 1 lb pizza dough
• 1 tbsp EVOO
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 large garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried Chile flakes
• 1/2 cup light red kidney beans, drained & rinsed
• 1/2 cup cannellini beans, drained & rinsed
• 3/4 cup prepared meat sauce
• 2 cups grated white extra sharp cheddar cheese
• Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh parsley, chopped

directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425º. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic & saute for 5 minutes, until softened, stirring. Add paprika & tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring so it doesn't burn. Add the Chile flakes, beans, sauce, salt & pepper. Bring to a fast simmer and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, until thickened. Use a potato masher to mash the beans slightly.

2. Cut the dough in 2 equal portions and roll out into oval like shapes using flour and corn meal. Lightly dust 2 baking sheets with cornmeal and lay each piece of dough on the sheets.

3. Spread the bean mixture over each pizza crust and top with cheese. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and dough is golden brown. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley when serving.

Enjoy!

The recipe was adapted from 100 Pizzas from 1 Easy Recipe.