Homemade Pumpkin And Gouda Pizza Recipe: A Cozy Fall Delight

Pumpkin and gouda pizza reimagines ordinary dinner into a culinary adventure that tantalizes taste buds with unexpected flavor combinations.

Autumn’s most beloved vegetable merges beautifully with rich, creamy cheese for a remarkable seasonal twist.

Warm spices dance across a crispy crust, creating a sensory experience that defies traditional pizza expectations.

Rustic and comforting, this recipe celebrates the earthy sweetness of pumpkin against the nutty complexity of aged gouda.

Home cooks can easily elevate their standard pizza routine with these surprising ingredients that complement each other perfectly.

Each bite promises a delightful balance between smooth, melted cheese and the subtle warmth of carefully selected seasonings.

Professional chefs and kitchen novices alike will appreciate this innovative approach to weekend cooking.

Why This Pizza Feels Like Fall

• Elevate Comfort Food: This pumpkin and gouda pizza transforms classic comfort food with unexpected, sophisticated flavor combinations that surprise and delight your taste buds.
• Master Caramelization Magic: The slow-cooked onions develop rich, sweet depth through a patient 30-minute process, creating a luxurious base layer that elevates the entire pizza experience.
• Quick Gourmet Weeknight Meal: With just 45 minutes total preparation and cooking time, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results without complex techniques, making it perfect for busy home cooks seeking delicious, impressive dinners.

What’s in Pumpkin & Gouda Pizza

• Flour: Essential for creating a smooth, rollable pizza dough surface.
• Pizza Dough: Foundational element for creating a delicious pizza base.
• Parchment Paper: Helps transfer and bake pizza without sticking.

• Pumpkin Puree: Provides a creamy, seasonal base with rich autumn flavor.
• Caramelized Onions: Adds sweet, deeply developed flavor to the pizza.
• Gouda Cheese: Offers a rich, smooth, and slightly nutty cheese layer.
• Garlic: Brings aromatic depth and subtle pungent notes to the topping.

• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile of the pizza.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient for adding a hint of spicy heat.
• Olive Oil: Helps caramelize onions and adds smooth, rich undertone.
• Parsley: Optional fresh herb for garnishing and adding bright color.

Baking Pumpkin Pizza with Ease

Step 1: Caramelize Onions

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add the onions.

Cook for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become soft.

Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking for another 20 to 30 minutes until the onions turn light golden.

In the final 5 minutes, stir in the garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes if using.

Step 2: Prepare Pizza Dough

Preheat the oven to 475°F and place the rack in the upper-middle position.

Set a pizza stone or baking sheet on the rack to preheat.

Dust your work surface with flour and roll out the dough into a 12 to 14-inch circle.

Transfer the rolled dough to parchment paper and gently poke the surface with a fork.

Step 3: Add Pizza Toppings

Spread a thin layer of pumpkin puree over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges.

Top with the caramelized onion mixture and sprinkle gouda cheese evenly across the surface.

Step 4: Bake Pizza

Carefully slide the pizza with parchment onto the preheated stone or baking sheet.

Bake for 12 minutes or until the crust is crisp and the cheese is melted and bubbling.

Step 5: Serve

Remove the pizza from the oven and let it rest for a minute.

Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, slice it up, and enjoy while hot.

Tips for Better Fall-Themed Pizza

• Caramelize Slowly: Take your time when cooking onions to develop deep, rich flavor without burning them, stirring occasionally to ensure even browning.
• Prevent Soggy Crust: Pierce the dough with a fork before adding toppings to help steam escape and keep the pizza base crispy and light.
• Cheese Distribution: Sprinkle gouda evenly across the pizza to guarantee a consistent, melty layer in every bite.
• Parchment Paper Trick: Use parchment paper for easy pizza transfer and to prevent sticking to the baking surface.
• Fresh Herb Finale: Add chopped parsley just before serving to bring a fresh, vibrant touch that brightens the entire pizza's flavor profile.

Save Your Pizza for Later—No Soggy Crust

• Storing Leftovers: Wrap leftover pizza slices individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth. Store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating Methods: Revive cold pizza in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, creating a crispy crust. Alternatively, use an oven preheated to 375°F, placing pizza directly on the rack for 5-7 minutes to restore its original texture and warmth. Avoid using a microwave, which can make the crust soggy and rubbery.
• Freezing Option: Allow pizza to cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months.

What Complements Pumpkin Pizza Flavors

• Savor Sweet Wine Harmony: Pair this pumpkin and gouda pizza with a crisp Riesling or gewürztraminer, which beautifully complement the sweet caramelized onions and creamy gouda cheese.
• Match Robust Red Companions: Try a medium-bodied pinot noir or grenache that cuts through the rich cheese and enhances the earthy pumpkin flavors without overpowering the delicate pizza.
• Create Craft Beer Magic: Select a spicy Belgian wheat ale or pumpkin ale that echoes the seasonal ingredients, providing a smooth and complementary drinking experience with each pizza bite.
• Enhance with Fresh Salad: Serve a crisp arugula salad with light lemon vinaigrette alongside the pizza, offering a zesty, peppery contrast to the sweet and savory pizza elements.

Pizza Ideas with Autumn Twists

• Autumn Harvest Pizza: Replace pumpkin puree with roasted butternut squash and add crispy sage leaves for an earthy seasonal flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Veggie Blend: Swap gouda for feta cheese, add spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, and sprinkle with oregano for a Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Southwestern Style: Mix chipotle peppers into the pumpkin puree, top with pepper jack cheese, and garnish with fresh cilantro for a zesty southwestern kick.
• Caramelized Garlic White Pizza: Eliminate tomato-based sauce, use ricotta as base, multiply caramelized garlic amounts, and finish with fresh thyme for an aromatic white pizza experience.

Pumpkin And Gouda Pizza Recipe

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4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Pumpkin and Gouda Pizza delivers autumn’s warmest embrace on a crispy crust. Savory cheese melts perfectly with roasted pumpkin, creating a rustic masterpiece that connects seasonal comfort with culinary creativity you’ll want to savor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) fresh pizza dough, room temperature
• ¾ cup (177 milliliters) canned pumpkin puree
• 5 ounces (142 grams) freshly grated gouda cheese (about 1 ¼ cups)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 large yellow onion, peeled and sliced
• 3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced

Seasonings and Oil:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ to ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Optional Garnish:

• Finely chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Transform a large skillet with olive oil over medium temperature, introducing sliced onions and gently stirring every few minutes until they become soft and translucent, approximately 7 to 8 minutes.
2. Reduce heat to low, allowing onions to slowly caramelize and develop a rich blonde color, which will require an additional 20 to 30 minutes of patient cooking.
3. During the final 5 minutes of caramelization, incorporate minced garlic, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes to enhance the flavor profile of the onions.
4. Position an oven rack in the center-top position and preheat to 475°F (246°C), simultaneously placing a pizza stone or sturdy baking sheet inside to create an intensely hot surface.
5. Dust a clean work surface with flour and gently roll pizza dough into a circular shape measuring 12 to 14 inches in diameter.
6. Carefully transfer the rolled dough onto parchment paper, using a fork to create small perforations across the surface to prevent excessive bubbling.
7. Spread a smooth layer of pumpkin puree evenly across the dough, maintaining a 1/2-inch border around the edges to prevent overflow during baking.
8. Distribute the caramelized onion mixture uniformly over the pumpkin base, followed by an even sprinkle of shredded gouda cheese.
9. Slide the prepared pizza onto the preheated stone or baking sheet and bake for approximately 12 minutes, or until the crust achieves a crisp golden texture and the cheese melts completely.
10. Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving to add a vibrant, herbaceous touch to the pizza.

Notes

• Take time when caramelizing onions for deep, rich flavor that transforms the pizza’s taste profile.
• Use parchment paper for easy pizza transfer and preventing potential sticking to the baking surface.
• Preheating the pizza stone or baking sheet ensures a crispy, perfectly cooked crust every time.
• Create a border when spreading pumpkin puree to prevent soggy edges and maintain structural integrity.
• Red pepper flakes are optional but add a subtle heat that complements the sweet pumpkin and caramelized onions.
• Fresh parsley garnish brings a bright, herbal freshness that elevates the overall pizza experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 425 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg