5 Ingredient Pumpkin and Gouda Pizza brings creamy pumpkin, nutty Gouda, sweet caramelized onions, and garlic together on a crisp, chewy crust. Plus, it makes a cozy Halloween dinner that feels special without complicated prep.
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Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin and Gouda Pizza
This 5 Ingredient Pumpkin and Gouda Pizza gives fall pizza night a delicious seasonal twist. Instead of tomato sauce, creamy pumpkin puree creates a smooth base with gentle earthy sweetness.
Meanwhile, Gouda melts into a rich, creamy layer. The caramelized onions add deep sweetness, while fresh garlic gives every slice plenty of savory flavor.
Best of all, you can start with prepared pizza dough. As a result, you get homemade flavor without spending hours making dough from scratch.
This pizza also fits right into Halloween Recipes when you want something savory before the candy comes out. In fact, the orange pumpkin topping gives it a naturally festive fall look.
Prep time is 15 minutes, while cook time is about 45 minutes. Therefore, you can have dinner ready in about 1 hour. The recipe makes 8 slices, or 4 servings.
Ingredients for Pumpkin and Gouda Pizza
The ingredient list stays simple, yet each part brings an important flavor or texture. Olive oil, salt, and optional seasonings help bring everything together.
Pizza Dough
Fresh pizza dough creates the crisp yet chewy base for this 5 Ingredient Pumpkin and Gouda Pizza. You can use good quality prepared dough to save time.
For easier shaping, let the dough reach room temperature first. Then, it will stretch more easily without quickly springing back.
Pumpkin Puree
Canned pumpkin puree replaces conventional pizza sauce in this recipe. It tastes creamy, earthy, slightly sweet, and perfect with Gouda.
However, use plain pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling contains added sugar and spices that do not suit this savory pizza.
Gouda Cheese
Gouda brings a creamy texture with mild sweetness and a slightly nutty flavor. Therefore, it pairs especially well with pumpkin and caramelized onions.
Freshly grated Gouda also melts beautifully. As a result, every slice gets plenty of rich, gooey cheese.
Caramelized Onions and Garlic
Yellow onion becomes soft, golden, and naturally sweet after slow cooking. Meanwhile, fresh garlic adds a savory bite that balances the pumpkin.
Extra virgin olive oil helps the onions cook gently. Kosher salt also brings out their flavor as they caramelize.
Optional Red Pepper Flakes and Parsley
Crushed red pepper flakes add a little warmth if you enjoy some heat. However, you can leave them out for a milder pizza.
Fresh parsley adds color and freshness after baking. Still, the 5 Ingredient Pumpkin and Gouda Pizza tastes delicious without either optional addition.
How to Make 5 Ingredient Pumpkin and Gouda Pizza
Making this pizza comes down to slow caramelization followed by a quick, hot bake. Therefore, give the onions plenty of time before you assemble the pizza.
Caramelize the Onions
Heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Then, add 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion, or 2 small to medium onions.
Cook for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions soften. Next, lower the heat and cook for another 20 to 30 minutes.
Stir every few minutes as the onions slowly turn lightly golden. During the final 5 minutes, add 3 to 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.
Also, add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes if you want some heat. Then, stir everything together until the garlic smells fragrant.
Preheat the Oven and Pizza Stone
Position an oven rack in the upper center area. Next, place your pizza stone or baking sheet inside the oven.
Preheat the oven to 475°F. Meanwhile, leave the stone or baking sheet inside so it gets very hot.
A hot baking surface helps the bottom crust cook quickly. As a result, the finished pizza develops a crisp base instead of turning soft underneath.
Shape the Pizza Dough
Lightly flour your work surface. Then, stretch or roll 16 ounces of room temperature pizza dough into a 12 to 14 inch round.
Transfer the dough onto parchment paper. Next, prick the surface several times with a fork.
Work gently as you shape the dough. That way, you can keep some air in the crust for a pleasant chewy texture.
Add the Pumpkin, Onions, and Gouda
Spread 3/4 cup canned pumpkin puree evenly across the dough. However, leave about a 1/2 inch border around the outside for the crust.
Next, spoon the caramelized onion and garlic mixture over the pumpkin. Then, scatter 5 ounces, or about 1 1/4 cups, freshly grated Gouda evenly across the top.
Try to spread each topping from edge to edge without piling everything in the center. As a result, each slice gets pumpkin, sweet onion, garlic, and melted cheese.
Bake Until Crisp and Golden
Carefully transfer the pizza with its parchment paper onto the hot pizza stone or baking sheet. Then, bake for about 12 minutes.
Look for melted cheese and a crisp underside before removing the pizza. The crust should also keep a little chew inside.
Finally, sprinkle finely chopped fresh parsley over the top if desired. Cut the 5 Ingredient Pumpkin and Gouda Pizza into 8 slices and serve while warm.
Tips for the Best Pumpkin Pizza
A few simple details make a noticeable difference with homemade pizza. In particular, focus on the onions, cheese, oven temperature, and crust.
Slice the Onions Thinly and Evenly
Slice the onions about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. More importantly, keep the slices as even as possible.
Even slices cook at a similar rate. Therefore, you will not end up with a mix of burnt pieces and undercooked onion.
Give the Onions Time to Caramelize
Keep the heat low once the onions soften. Then, allow their natural sweetness to develop slowly.
Do not rush this part by turning up the heat. Instead, stir every few minutes and let time create that rich, savory sweetness.
Use Freshly Grated Gouda
Grate the Gouda shortly before assembling the pizza. Freshly grated cheese melts smoothly and gives the pumpkin pizza a creamy finish.
Also, Gouda has enough flavor to stand up to the pumpkin without overpowering it. That balance makes each bite rich but not too heavy.
Preheat the Pizza Stone or Baking Sheet
Place the pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven before preheating. Then, let the baking surface heat along with the oven.
The hot surface immediately starts cooking the dough when the pizza goes into the oven. Therefore, you get a much crisper bottom crust.
Keep the Crust Crisp and Chewy
Avoid adding too much pumpkin puree because excess moisture can soften the dough. Instead, spread the puree in an even layer.
Also, keep the oven at 475°F and bake on the hot stone or baking sheet. As a result, your 5 Ingredient Pumpkin and Gouda Pizza gets a crisp underside while keeping some chew.
Easy Variations and Substitutions
This recipe already keeps things simple. However, you can make a few easy changes to suit your family or the ingredients you have.
Make It Gluten-Free
Use a gluten free frozen pizza dough in place of regular fresh pizza dough. Then, prepare and bake it according to its package guidance when necessary.
Because gluten free dough can behave differently, watch the crust closely during baking. You still want a crisp base that supports the creamy toppings.
Adjust the Garlic and Spice
Use more than 3 to 4 garlic cloves if your family loves strong garlic flavor. Fresh garlic works especially well because it adds bold, savory flavor to the sweet onions.
Meanwhile, you can adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to taste. Leave them out completely for kids or anyone who prefers mild food.
Try Different Cheese and Topping Options
Gouda gives this pizza its signature creamy and nutty flavor. However, you can experiment with mozzarella, smoked Gouda, fontina, or a small amount of Parmesan.
You can also add fall friendly toppings such as fresh sage or cooked mushrooms. Still, keep extra toppings light so the pumpkin base can shine.
What to Serve With Pumpkin and Gouda Pizza
Serve 5 Ingredient Pumpkin and Gouda Pizza with a simple green salad for an easy fall dinner. A crisp salad brings freshness that balances the rich Gouda and sweet onions.
Roasted vegetables also work well, especially Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or green beans. Meanwhile, a warm bowl of soup can turn a few pizza slices into a cozy cold weather meal.
For Halloween, serve the pizza before trick or treating or alongside other savory party foods. Then, everyone can enjoy something filling before reaching for the sweets.
One serving equals 2 slices and contains about 395 calories, 48 grams carbohydrates, 14 grams protein, and 17 grams fat. It also contains about 4 grams saturated fat, 880 milligrams sodium, 3 grams fiber, and 5 grams sugar.
However, nutrition values can vary by around 10 percent depending on the ingredient brands you choose.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Pizza
Leftover pumpkin pizza keeps well, so do not worry if you cannot finish every slice. In fact, proper reheating can bring back much of the original crisp texture.
Storing Leftovers in the Refrigerator
Keep leftover pizza as airtight as possible and refrigerate it for up to 4 days. For example, place the slices in a resealable food storage bag.
Alternatively, wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap followed by foil. Keeping air away from the pizza helps protect its texture and flavor.
The Best Way to Reheat Pumpkin Pizza
Place 1 or 2 slices in a covered skillet over medium heat. Then, lower the heat to medium low and continue warming until the crust turns crisp.
For better melted cheese, add a few drops of water to the skillet away from the pizza. Next, cover the skillet so the steam gently remelts the Gouda.
This method gives you a crisp bottom without drying out the toppings. As a result, leftover 5 Ingredient Pumpkin and Gouda Pizza tastes much closer to freshly baked pizza.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Use Pumpkin Puree as Pizza Sauce?
Yes. Pumpkin puree makes a creamy and flavorful alternative to traditional tomato pizza sauce.
What Cheese Goes Well With Pumpkin on Pizza?
Gouda pairs beautifully with pumpkin because it tastes creamy, mildly sweet, and nutty. Therefore, it complements pumpkin without hiding its flavor.
How Long Does It Take to Caramelize Onions?
Plan on roughly 30 to 40 minutes for the onions in this recipe. First, soften them for 7 to 8 minutes over medium heat.
Can I Use Store-Bought Pizza Dough?
Yes. Good quality prepared pizza dough makes this 5 Ingredient Pumpkin and Gouda Pizza much easier.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
If you love cozy, creamy dinners and seasonal pumpkin recipes, try these next:
- creamy pumpkin ricotta stuffed shells with sage and mozzarella
- creamy Indian pumpkin curry for a cozy fall dinner
- rich and creamy garlic steak tortellini
- creamy Cajun shrimp and crab pasta
- crispy cheesy homemade Mexican pizza
- easy cheesy Philly cheesesteak casserole
Final Thoughts
5 Ingredient Pumpkin and Gouda Pizza turns simple fall ingredients into a cozy dinner packed with sweet, savory, creamy flavor. Plus, the crisp and chewy crust makes every slice satisfying.
The pumpkin puree keeps things seasonal, while Gouda, caramelized onions, and fresh garlic bring plenty of comfort. So, save this recipe for Halloween night, a fall weekend, or your next homemade pizza dinner.
For even more cozy meal inspiration and seasonal recipe ideas, you can also follow Ellie’s Microwave Recipes on Pinterest.
5 Ingredient Pumpkin and Gouda Pizza
Equipment
- Pizza stone or baking sheet Preheat it in the oven for a crisp bottom crust.
- Large skillet Use it to slowly caramelize the onions and garlic.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, or 2 small to medium yellow onions, peeled and thinly sliced
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ to ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 16 oz fresh pizza dough, at room temperature
- ¾ cup canned pumpkin puree
- 5 oz freshly grated Gouda cheese, about 1 1/4 cups
- finely chopped fresh parsley, optional garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
- Lower the heat and continue cooking the onions for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until lightly golden and caramelized. During the final 5 minutes, stir in the garlic, kosher salt, and optional crushed red pepper flakes.
- Position an oven rack in the upper center area. Place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside the oven, then preheat the oven to 475°F.
- On a floured surface, stretch or roll the pizza dough into a 12 to 14 inch round. Transfer the dough to parchment paper and prick the surface several times with a fork.
- Spread the pumpkin puree evenly over the dough, leaving about a 1/2 inch border around the edge. Add the caramelized onion and garlic mixture, then distribute the freshly grated Gouda evenly over the top.
- Transfer the pizza, still on the parchment paper, onto the hot pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for about 12 minutes, until the crust feels crisp underneath and the Gouda has melted.
- Remove the pizza from the oven. Garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley if desired, then cut into 8 slices and serve warm.
