This time last week, I was in Vinci, Italy, making some craaaazy delicious pizzas in a wood-burning oven overlooking the rollings hills of Tuscany. I was also competing against Alana, Molly and Rebecca to see who could make the best pizza.
This post may contain affiliate links.
As my pizza, topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, spicy salami, eggplant, capers, olives and peppers, slid into the oven, it stuck to the metal peel, resulting in an uproar of airborne toppings. Some landed back on the pizza while others went up in smoke as they hit searing hot stone. Luckily, we were able to pull the pizza back out and reimagine it as a stromboli. Despite its salty yum-factor and ability to overcome adversity, my rolled up pizza lost to Molly’s innovative white pizza topped with halved grapes and fresh rosemary. Overall, everyone made delicious pizzas that evening, so really, we all won 🙂
I’m back in San Diego now, but I’ve still got pizza and Tuscany on my mind. So today, I’m sharing this recipe for Butternut Squash Pizza. Continue reading for the recipe.
The base of this pizza is an airy round of hand-stretched dough. I like to buy my pizza dough from a local pizzeria; however, I did learn how to make pizza dough while in Tuscany. So expect a homemade pizza dough recipe soon 🙂 Here’s how the toppings stack up:
- Olive oil and kosher salt to start. This helps flavor and color the crust.
- Shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese.
- Crumbled gorgonzola cheese. Major flavor boost here. Pairs very well with the squash.
- One butternut squash prepared two ways: pureed with maple syrup and lemon juice, and cubed with red pepper flakes. The puree acts as the sauce while the cubes add some nice texture.
- Sliced red onion for contrast.
- Chopped sage for a grassy, herbal note. Also pairs very well with the squash.
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to finish.
An irresistible mess of orange, green and purple, this pizza is autumn made edible. I can seriously eat at least four slices in one sitting. So damn tasty.
Butternut Squash Pizza Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds peeled and cubed butternut squash (from a 2 1/2 pound squash)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil plus more for drizzling
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1 ball of dough
- 6 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, coarsely grated
- 3 ounces crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
- 1/4 of a red onion, peel removed and sliced thin
- 1 heaping tablespoon chopped fresh sage
Instructions
- Preheat an oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place butternut squash on the baking sheet and toss with 3 tablespoons olive oil. Season well with kosher salt and black pepper. Bake squash until tender and just starting to turn golden in a few spots (35 – 40 minutes). Measure out 1 1/2 cups of cooked butternut squash and place in a small bowl. Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, toss to combine, and set aside. Place remaining cooked butternut squash in food processor, and process until smooth. Add maple syrup and lemon juice, and pulse a few more times to combine. Season to taste with additional kosher salt.
- Increase oven temperature to 500°F, and set an oven rack in the lowest possible position. Lightly spray a pizza pan or baking sheet with nonstick spray. Stretch pizza dough into a round large enough to fit the pizza pan. Very lightly drizzle the dough with olive oil, then use your hands to evenly spread the oil around. Sprinkle dough with a small pinch of kosher salt. Top pizza with grated mozzarella cheese and crumbled Gorgonzola. Using a spoon, drop large dollops of butternut squash puree around the pizza (you may not use all of the puree). Scatter cooked butternut squash cubes, red onion slices and chopped sage on top. Finish with a small sprinkle of kosher salt and black pepper.
- Transfer the pizza pan to the oven on the lowest rack, and cook until the crust is golden brown (I check the bottom of the crust) and the cheese is nice and bubbly.
Here are some other pizza recipes on Kitchen Konfidence:
Kimchi and Bacon Pizza
Shaved Asparagus and Bacon Pizza
Wild Ramp Pizza
Skillet Pizza
9
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I would eat the heck out of this pizza! I love squash and love that you worked it into pizza – with gorgonzola no less! Delish!
Brandon Matzek says
Such a tasty combination. Thanks Averie!
Tori says
This pizza looks super delish!!!! What an awesome way to enjoy autumn flavors!!!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Tori! I just love playing around with pizza toppings.
Carina @ Nutritious Deliciousness says
Love Butternut Squash, great pizza choice!
Brandon Matzek says
Me too! Thanks Carina.
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
I can just smell that sage filling up the kitchen. I love all of these bold flavors on this pizza… and, hey, it’s vegetarian (look folks, you don’t need to put bacon on top of every pie). 🙂
Brandon Matzek says
Yeah, this pizza is suuuuper aromatic. Warm sage, bold blue cheese and golden bread. I do love my bacon, but this pizza has got enough going on that it’s totally not needed 🙂
The Food Hunter says
I love making pizza and trying new combos. this is perfect!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Theresa! I love trying new topping combos as well.
Kristina says
you were in Italy making pizzas – yep, you all won 😉
this sounds SO good, I love a “white” or no sauce pizza…
Brandon Matzek says
Hehe thanks Kristina! I too love a white pizza.
Christina @ Christina's Cucina says
Congratulations, Brandon! That is so awesome that you won the DaVinci wine contest! I’ve wanted to enter two years in a row now, but always miss the entry time! Maybe next year! Your pizza sounds and looks lovely, and I love potato pizza so why not squash?
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Christina! Definitely apply next year. It was incredible!
Christie says
What a fun trip. We loved Italy and cannot wait to go back next year. This pizza looks like a fabulous way to relive it.
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Christie!! For my next trip, I really want to see coastal Italy. Sicily perhaps.
Jennifer Stewart says
What a fun Fall pizza! Can’t wait to try this at my next party!
Brandon Matzek says
Do it!!! Thanks Jennifer 🙂
Amanda says
What a delicious looking pizza. I love the flavor combinations!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Amanda!
Mirlandra @ Mirlandra's Kitchen says
Your time in Italy was well spent! This is beautiful, and I’m sure tasty. Your Kimchi pizza also caught my eye. My husband is going to go bonkers over it!
Brandon Matzek says
Excellent!!! The Kimchi Bacon pizza is Jorge’s favorite.
Dee Dee says
wowza, this looks incredible! And I just so happen to have the first squash of the season sitting on my kitchen counter right now. Coincidence? I think not!
Brandon Matzek says
Make this, make this!!! Thanks Dee Dee 🙂
Brandy M says
Skillet Pizza?! I totally trying that! I never knew that you could do that! Fun and creative and the kiddos can help.
Brandon Matzek says
Yes!!! It’s so good. Enjoy!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Ohhhh, this pizza makes me so happy! I love, LOVE the flavors you have going on here! Butternut squash, maple syrup, and gorgonzola all on a pizza crust….I think I’m going to cry. Pass the plate!!
Brandon Matzek says
Haha thanks Kimberly!! All pizza makes me happy, but this one makes me especially happy 🙂
Steph @ Steph in Thyme says
Oh man, this is my kind of pizza. Filled with flavor, texture, and seasonal veggies. Your trip sounds AMAZING, I enjoyed following along on social media. What a dream!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Steph!
Cynthia/What A Girl Eats says
I’m all about butternut squash in the fall. This sound delicious!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Cynthia!!
Mary says
This pizza looks great! I love winter squash paired with savory flavors! (I do a similar shaved asparagus pizza to yours in spring, and it’s one of my favorites.)
Brandon Matzek says
Me too! Squash really goes really well savor flavors. Especially cheese! Thanks Mary.
Matthew From Nomageddon says
I’m not a big fan of white pizzas, normally but these is a really intriguing recipe!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Matthew! I’ve been all about white pizzas recently, but I do like tomato sauce pies as well.
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos says
This is such a fall inspired pizza recipe – I love using butternut squash and on pizza, inspired!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks so much Aly!! Yeah I’ve been cooking butternut squash a lot this season.
Carol says
I randomly bought a butternut squash without a plan for it. I now have a plan. This pizza looks amazing!
Brandon Matzek says
Excellent! Let me know how you like the pizza 🙂