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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- During the final 5 minutes of caramelization, incorporate minced garlic, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes to enhance the flavor profile of the onions.
- 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.
- Dust a clean work surface with flour and gently roll pizza dough into a circular shape measuring 12 to 14 inches in diameter.
- Carefully transfer the rolled dough onto parchment paper, using a fork to create small perforations across the surface to prevent excessive bubbling.
- 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.
- Distribute the caramelized onion mixture uniformly over the pumpkin base, followed by an even sprinkle of shredded gouda cheese.
- 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.
- 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