Applebee's Spinach Pizza Appetizer

Copycat Applebee's spinach pizza on crisp pita bread — topped with a creamy spinach sauce, sautéed mushrooms, tomatoes, and fresh herbs.

ItalianVegetarianIntermediate30 minBy Northstar

Ingredients

Servings
4
  • 3 count pita breads (whole), split in half
  • 10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and water pressed out
  • 0.3 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 count medium onion, diced
  • 5 count plum tomatoes, diced
  • 8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced
  • 4 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 0.8 cup rice milk or regular milk
  • 4 tbsp all-purpose flour

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

  2. 2

    Heat milk in a saucepan until hot but not boiling; stir in flour. Continue stirring until sauce thickens. Reduce heat and add nutritional yeast and spinach. Stir constantly until thick and gooey, about 3–4 minutes.

  3. 3

    In a separate pan, sauté onion and garlic until tender. Stir in tomatoes, mushrooms, and all herbs/spices. Sauté until just cooked.

  4. 4

    Using a sharp bread knife, split each pita bread horizontally into two flat rounds.

  5. 5

    Place each pita round on a cookie sheet or pizza pan. Spread spinach sauce evenly over each.

  6. 6

    Top with the vegetable mixture, being careful to avoid excess liquid. Bake for 5–7 minutes until pita is crisp and toppings are heated through.

Tags

vegetariancopycatappetizerspinachpizzaapplebees