Description
Creamy pumpkin and gouda pizza blends autumn’s warmth with rich cheese and crisp crust. Herbs and caramelized onions elevate this seasonal comfort dish that welcomes you to savor each delicious slice.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz (454 g) pizza dough, room temperature
- ¾ cup (177 mL) pumpkin puree, canned
- 5 oz (142 g) gouda cheese, freshly grated (about 1 ¼ cups)
- 1 yellow onion, large, peeled and sliced
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsps (30 mL) extra virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼–½ tsp red pepper flakes, crushed (optional)
- Parsley, fresh, finely chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium temperature. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden. After 7-8 minutes, reduce heat and continue cooking for 20-30 minutes until deeply caramelized. In the final 5 minutes, mix in minced garlic, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes.
- Prepare Oven: Position rack in center-top position and preheat to 475°F (246°C). Place pizza stone or baking sheet inside to create an intensely hot surface.
- Shape Dough: Flour a work surface and roll pizza dough into a 12-14 inch circle. Transfer to parchment paper and pierce with a fork to prevent excessive bubbling.
- Assemble Pizza: Spread pumpkin puree evenly across dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Layer caramelized onions and top with shredded gouda cheese.
- Bake and Finish: Slide pizza onto preheated stone or baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes until crust turns crisp and golden, and cheese melts completely. Optional: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top before serving.
Notes
- Caramelize Onions Slowly: Low and slow cooking develops deep, sweet flavor; rushing can lead to burnt, bitter onions.
- Prep Pizza Stone Properly: Preheating creates restaurant-quality crispy crust by mimicking professional pizza oven conditions.
- Fork-Poke Dough Technique: Perforating prevents massive air bubbles, ensuring even, flat pizza base during baking.
- Cheese Melting Tip: Shred gouda fresh for optimal melting and most authentic, creamy texture across pizza surface.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg