Pumpkin Pizza Recipe

Spooky-Good Pumpkin Pizza Recipe for Your Autumn Cravings

Fall’s crisp breeze brings a delightful twist to traditional pizza with this creamy pumpkin pizza recipe that blends seasonal comfort and unexpected flavors.

Warm spices and rich pumpkin puree create a uniquely satisfying base for your favorite toppings.

Cheese melts perfectly over the smooth pumpkin sauce, creating a harmony of textures and tastes.

Each slice promises a delectable journey through autumn’s most beloved ingredients.

Rustic and comforting, this pizza transforms an ordinary meal into a memorable experience.

Bold flavors and simple preparation make this dish a standout for weekend dinners or casual gatherings.

Savor the season with every delicious bite of this extraordinary pizza.

What Makes Pumpkin Pizza a Savory Standout

  • Savor the unexpected combination of pumpkin, caramelized onions, and Havarti that transforms an ordinary pizza into a gourmet experience.
  • Mix and match ingredients, swap arugula for spinach, or adjust cheese types to create your personal pizza masterpiece that suits any taste preference.
  • Prepare this restaurant-quality pizza with minimal ingredients and simple cooking techniques, making it perfect for busy home cooks seeking a delicious meal without complex steps.
  • Embrace autumn's warmth with a pizza that captures the cozy essence of fall, bringing comfort and sophistication to your dinner table in one delightful slice.

Ingredient Essentials for Gourmet Pumpkin Pizza Nights

Pizza Base:
  • Pizza Dough: Essential foundation for creating a delicious pizza crust.
  • Olive Oil: Helps cook onions and add richness to the pizza.
Vegetable and Herb Mixture:
  • Pumpkin Puree: Provides a creamy, seasonal base with subtle sweetness.
  • Onions: Adds depth of flavor with both caramelized and raw varieties.
  • Garlic, Shallot: Enhance the overall savory profile of the pizza.
  • Thyme: Brings an earthy, aromatic herb element to the dish.
  • Arugula: Adds a peppery freshness and green color to the finished pizza.
Cheese and Seasonings:
  • Havarti Cheese: Offers a creamy, mild melting cheese for topping.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Provides a sharp, salty undertone to the pumpkin mixture.
  • Salt and Pepper: Season and balance the flavors of the entire pizza.
  • Sugar: Helps caramelize the onions and bring out their natural sweetness.

Tools You’ll Need to Craft Amazing Pumpkin Pizza

  • Pizza Stone: Essential for creating a crispy, restaurant-style crust base.
  • Mixing Bowl: Needed to combine pumpkin puree, garlic, shallot, thyme, and other ingredients.
  • Cutting Board: Use for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
  • Chef's Knife: Perfect for dicing onions and slicing ingredients precisely.
  • Skillet or Sauté Pan: Ideal for caramelizing onions over medium-low heat.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring onions while cooking.
  • Cheese Grater: Required for grating Havarti and parmesan cheese.
  • Baking Sheet: Alternative to pizza stone if you don't have one.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helpful for adding sugar and measuring seasonings.

Baking Instructions for Crispy, Cheesy Pumpkin Pizza

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 350°F.

If you’ve got a pizza stone, slide it in to get nice and hot.

This will help create that dreamy crispy crust we all love.

Step 2: Caramelize Those Onions

Grab a skillet and drizzle in some olive oil.

Toss in half of your diced onions and let them dance around on medium-low heat.

Sprinkle a pinch of sugar midway to help them turn golden and sweet.

Keep stirring until they’re soft and gloriously translucent.

Step 3: Create Magical Pumpkin Mixture

In a mixing bowl, bring together:
  • Creamy pumpkin puree
  • Minced garlic
  • Chopped shallots
  • Fresh thyme leaves
  • Remaining raw onions

Fold in some parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to make the flavors pop.

Step 4: Shape the Pizza Canvas

Roll out your pizza dough into a beautiful circular shape.

Channel your inner pizzaiolo and make it smooth and even.

Step 5: Build Your Flavor Masterpiece

Transfer the dough to your sizzling hot pizza stone.

Spread the pumpkin mixture like a delicious blanket across the surface.

Scatter those caramelized onions and sprinkle fresh arugula.

Crown it with grated Havarti cheese.

Add an extra pinch of salt and pepper if you’re feeling adventurous.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pizza into the oven.

Bake for 10-12 minutes for a classic finish, or go for 20-25 minutes if you crave an extra crispy crust.

Step 7: Savor Your Creation

Pull out your masterpiece, slice, and devour.

Pure pizza bliss awaits!

Pro Pizza-Making Tips for a Golden Pumpkin Crust

  • Take your time cooking onions over low heat to develop rich, sweet flavors without burning them.
  • Warm the pizza stone beforehand to ensure a crispy, golden crust that doesn't become soggy.
  • Combine pumpkin's sweetness with parmesan's saltiness and thyme's earthiness for a perfectly balanced pizza.
  • Experiment with cooking duration to achieve your preferred crust texture – shorter for softer crust, longer for extra crispiness.
  • Swap arugula with other leafy greens like spinach or kale to add different nutritional profiles and taste variations.

Creative Ways to Remix Your Pumpkin Pizza Toppings

  • Gluten-Free Version: Replace traditional pizza dough with cauliflower crust or gluten-free pre-made pizza base for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Vegan Alternative: Swap Havarti cheese with cashew-based vegan cheese, use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan, and maintain the pumpkin and caramelized onion base.
  • Keto-Friendly Option: Create a low-carb crust using almond flour or cauliflower, reduce onion quantity, and add extra cheese to boost fat content.
  • Mediterranean Spin: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, add roasted red peppers, sprinkle za'atar spice blend, and replace arugula with fresh spinach leaves for a different flavor profile.

Stylish Pumpkin Pizza Serving Ideas Everyone Loves

  • Rustic Family Dinner Companion: Pair this savory pizza with a crisp green salad dressed in light vinaigrette for balanced meal enjoyment.
  • Autumn Harvest Sidekick: Serve alongside roasted seasonal vegetables like brussels sprouts or butternut squash to enhance the pumpkin flavor profile.
  • Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the rich, creamy texture with a medium-bodied white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light Chardonnay that won't overpower the delicate pumpkin notes.
  • Cozy Gathering Centerpiece: Present the pizza on a wooden board with fresh herbs scattered around for a warm, inviting presentation that encourages shared dining experience.

How to Store Leftover Pumpkin Pizza for Freshness

  • Store leftover pizza slices in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, ensuring they're completely cooled before sealing to prevent soggy crust.
  • Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen pizza maintains quality for 1-2 months.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F, place pizza on a baking sheet, and warm for 8-10 minutes until cheese melts and crust crisps up.
  • Revive pizza in a non-stick skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, covering with a lid to help cheese melt and restore crispiness.

FAQs

  • What ingredients can I substitute if I don't have Havarti cheese?

You can replace Havarti with mozzarella, provolone, or gouda. These cheeses melt well and provide similar creamy textures.

  • Is pumpkin puree the same as canned pumpkin?

Yes, pumpkin puree and canned pumpkin are essentially the same product. Just ensure you’re using pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling which contains added sugars and spices.

  • Can I make this pizza vegetarian?

This recipe is already vegetarian. It contains no meat ingredients and can be easily prepared with plant-based alternatives like vegan cheese if desired.

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Pumpkin Pizza Recipe

Pumpkin Pizza Recipe


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4.7 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Seasonal pumpkin pizza blends Italian tradition with autumn charm. Creamy roasted pumpkin, fragrant herbs, and melted cheese create a delightful culinary experience you’ll savor from first bite to last.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 ready-to-bake pizza dough
  • 1.5 cups (360 milliliters) pumpkin puree
  • 2 cups (480 grams) freshly grated havarti cheese
  • 1/2 cup (120 grams) freshly grated parmesan cheese

Aromatic Ingredients:

  • 1 sweet onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 shallot, diced
  • 1/2 tablespoon (7.5 milliliters) fresh thyme, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Finishing Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (240 grams) arugula
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) sugar

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 350°F and position a pizza stone inside to heat thoroughly, enhancing the crust’s crispiness.
  2. Sauté half the diced onions in olive oil over medium-low heat, sprinkling with sugar midway to caramelize, cooking until golden and translucent.
  3. Create the pumpkin base by mixing puree with minced garlic, finely chopped shallot, fresh thyme, and remaining raw onions, then fold in parmesan for depth of flavor.
  4. Roll out pizza dough into a circular shape, ensuring an even thickness for consistent baking.
  5. Carefully transfer dough to the preheated pizza stone, spreading the pumpkin mixture evenly across the surface.
  6. Distribute caramelized onions and fresh arugula over the pumpkin layer, then generously sprinkle grated Havarti cheese for a creamy texture.
  7. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust turns golden brown and crisp, or extend to 20-25 minutes for an extra crunchy finish.
  8. Remove from oven, let cool briefly, slice, and serve immediately to enjoy the warm, aromatic flavors.

Notes

  • Choose a high-quality pumpkin puree without added sugars for the most authentic flavor and healthier option.
  • Caramelize onions slowly on low heat to develop deep, sweet undertones that complement the savory pumpkin base.
  • Experiment with gluten-free pizza dough to make this recipe suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Toast fresh thyme leaves briefly before adding to enhance their aromatic qualities and release more intense herb notes.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 450 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 12 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Marcus Reed

Marcus Reed

Founder & Food Content Creator

Expertise

Single-recipe development, Seasonal and local ingredient utilization, Food photography and styling, Culinary writing and content creation​

Education

Culinary Arts Certificate, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, WV
Focus: Fundamentals of culinary techniques, emphasizing hands-on experience in small-scale kitchen settings.


Marcus’s story begins in Asheville, where good food and family kitchens shaped his earliest memories. After hands-on culinary training and a lot of trial (and a little error), he realized that real cooking isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection.
At Pan and Oven, Marcus crafts recipes that are easy to follow, packed with flavor, and built for real kitchens.

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