So pizza is just good food. Plain & simple. No extra statements needed. It’s so good that even if you are gluten-free, dairy-free, plant based, keto & night-shade adverse someone, somewhere has still created a pizza you can enjoy. That’s how good pizza is!
While a classic pizza reigns supreme, I love trying new combinations of toppings to push the boundaries. So this pizza inspiration was to see if I could incorporate the taste of fall on a pizza. I have to say I think I did a pretty stellar job!
Butternut Squash Caramelized Onion Pizza
Highlighting fall flavors one delicious slice of pizza at a time.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 prepared pizza dough
- 1 1/2 cups diced butternut squash
- 2 cups thinly sliced red onion
- 1 cup apple cider
- 2 whole cloves of garlic unpeeled
- 1/3 cup plain cream cheese vegan
- 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese vegan
- 8-10 fresh sage leaves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small habanero chili sub ancho chili powder or chili flakes
- 1/4 cup apple honey
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400° & line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Prepare the butternut squash, slicing off the top & bottom. Use a vegetable peeler to peel the skin. Scoop out the seeds. Dice into bite size pieces.
- Arrange the butternut squash on the baking tray. Add the whole unpeeled garlic cloves. Drizzle with a tiny bit of olive oil. Optional: season with salt & pepper to taste. Roast for 30 minutes.
- Slice the onion into thin strips.
- Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet. Add the sage leaves to the oil & fry them for 1-2 minutes. Remove from oil & place on a paper towel to dry.
- Add the onion to the same skillet & saute the onions over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once they begin to brown add some of the apple cider. Lower the heat. Continue to cook down the onions until the liquid evaporates. Add more cider to the onions & cook down until the onions caramelize, deepen in color & are covered in a thick glaze. This process takes about 20 minutes. Remove from heat & set aside.
- Remove the roasted squash & garlic from the oven.
- While the toppings are cooling prepare your pizza dough. Roll out pizza dough to desired shape & size. Place on a baking tray.
- Make your garlic cheese spread. Place the cream cheese in a small bowl. Add the roasted garlic by squeezing the cloves out of their skins (they should be creamy in texture) into the cheese & mash the mixture with a fork until combined. It's okay that their are some chunks of garlic.
- Assemble the pizza. Read the cooking directions on your pizza dough & adjust oven temperature if needed. Spread the garlic cheese along the dough forming your base. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese. Distribute the butternut squash & onions over the pizza, ensuring you can get a little bit of everything with each bite. Place in the oven & cook for 18-20 minutes.
- While the pizza cooks make the optional honey drizzle. Pour the apple honey into a microwave safe container. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds. If using a habanero chili slice off 2-3 slices and add to the warm honey. Set aside. If using chili powder or chili flakes, warm the honey & then sprinkle a pinch of the seasoning to the honey. Stir & set aside.
- Remove the pizza from the oven once cooked. Let it cool for a few minutes. Top with the fried sage leaves. Slice the pizza. Serve with a drizzle of the warm honey.
Notes
Pizza dough is totally something you can make on your own if you would like, but there are professionals that are out there doing it for you so take advantage. You can usually find the fresh pizza dough in the bakery section of your grocery store or if you have a favorite pizzeria ask them if they will sell you some dough.
The hot honey is optional. It just gives the pizza a nice pop. I use an apple honey. I order mine from Amazon or Etsy.
Enjoy!!!