Embrace the cozy flavors of autumn with our exquisite Bacon and Spiralized Butternut Squash Pizza. This culinary creation features a luscious base of creamy ricotta cheese, generously topped with delicate strands of spiralized butternut squash and savory, crispy bacon. It’s a fall-inspired pizza that promises a delightful fusion of textures and tastes, perfect for your next family meal or a sophisticated gathering.
For those who adore the unique sweetness of butternut squash on their pizza, be sure to also explore our delightful Butternut Squash and Sage Pizza, a classic fall favorite.
Embracing the Flavors of Fall: Beyond Pumpkin Spice
As autumn leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, many find themselves reaching for pumpkin-spiced everything. While pumpkin certainly holds a special place in our fall traditions, my culinary heart often yearns for another, equally versatile, and deeply flavorful star of the season: butternut squash. This substantial, creamy squash, with its naturally sweet and slightly nutty profile, consistently captures my attention and inspires countless delicious recipes. Its vibrant orange flesh isn’t just beautiful; it’s packed with nutrients and offers a comforting taste that truly embodies the essence of fall.
My passion for butternut squash is rivaled only by my enduring love for pizza. Homemade pizza is a frequent visitor to our dinner table, a cherished tradition in our household. While my children often gravitate towards the comforting familiarity of pepperoni or plain cheese, I enjoy venturing into more adventurous territory, crafting what I affectionately call “adult” pizzas. This Bacon and Spiralized Butternut Squash Pizza is the perfect embodiment of these two culinary loves, seamlessly blending the rich, earthy sweetness of butternut squash with the satisfying zest of a well-made pizza. It’s a sophisticated twist on a beloved classic, delivering a taste experience that is both comforting and exciting.
The idea for this particular pizza initially raised an eyebrow or two, especially from my husband. “Spiralized butternut squash on a pizza?” he questioned, a hint of skepticism in his voice. I admit, it’s an unconventional approach. However, after encountering this innovative concept in a recent food magazine, I was immediately captivated and knew I had to give it a try. Plus, my spiralizer has been patiently waiting in the cabinet, yearning for a new adventure. This recipe provided the perfect opportunity to dust it off and put it to good use, proving that sometimes, the most unexpected combinations yield the most delightful results.
The Magic of Spiralized Butternut Squash on Pizza
This recipe truly unlocks the potential of butternut squash on a pizza. By transforming the squash into thin, delicate spirals, we eliminate the need for any pre-cooking. The fine strands bake directly on the pizza, softening beautifully and caramelizing slightly, infusing every bite with their distinctive flavor without making the crust soggy. This ingenious method ensures that the squash maintains its natural sweetness and a pleasant, tender texture, complementing the other ingredients perfectly.
The flavor combination in this pizza is nothing short of exquisite. We start with a creamy, garlicky ricotta cheese base, which provides a rich and smooth counterpoint to the toppings. Layered on top are the sweet, tender butternut squash spirals and salty, crispy bacon pieces. The blend of savory bacon, sweet squash, and the aromatic kick of garlic and thyme creates a harmonious and sophisticated flavor profile that elevates this pizza far beyond the ordinary. While my kids might have opted for their usual pepperoni, I found myself completely indulging in this gourmet creation. I’m already eagerly anticipating our next pizza night, just for another taste of this extraordinary butternut squash pizza.
Choosing the Right Dough for Your Butternut Squash Pizza
The foundation of any great pizza is its dough, and for our Bacon and Spiralized Butternut Squash Pizza, a high-quality dough can make all the difference. You have several options, each offering a unique experience. Many grocery stores now offer fresh pizza dough in their refrigerated sections, which is a fantastic convenience. Look for whole wheat options for a nuttier flavor and added fiber, or a classic white dough for a traditional texture. If you’re feeling adventurous and have a little extra time, making your own pizza dough from scratch is incredibly rewarding. Not only does it allow you to control the ingredients, but the taste and texture of homemade dough are often superior. Whichever you choose, ensure it’s at room temperature before you begin rolling it out, as this makes it much easier to work with and prevents it from snapping back.
The preparation of the dough is crucial for achieving that perfect crispy crust. Once you’ve selected your dough, gently stretch or roll it out on a lightly floured surface or, as recommended in our recipe, on parchment paper. Aim for a round shape, or whatever fits your baking surface, keeping the edges slightly thicker to create a lovely, airy crust. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the thickness; a thinner crust will be crispier, while a slightly thicker one can offer a more satisfying chew. Remember, the goal is to create a sturdy yet delicious base that can beautifully support the creamy ricotta, delicate squash, and savory bacon toppings of your masterpiece.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Perfect Homemade Pizza
Having the right tools can significantly enhance your pizza-making experience, especially when venturing into gourmet creations like our Bacon and Spiralized Butternut Squash Pizza. Here are a few items that can transform your homemade pizza nights:
Spiralizer: Unlocking Vegetable Potential
While I generally advocate for minimizing kitchen gadgets, a spiralizer is one exception I wholeheartedly endorse. It’s incredibly versatile and opens up a world of culinary possibilities beyond just butternut squash. For this recipe, it transforms the squash into thin, elegant noodles that cook perfectly on the pizza without needing pre-treatment. If you don’t own one, you can manually cut thin ribbons with a vegetable peeler or slice the squash very finely by hand, but a spiralizer offers unparalleled speed and uniformity. Smaller, handheld spiralizers are also available and might be a good, lower-investment option if you’re not ready for a full-sized model.
Pizza Stone: The Secret to a Crispy Crust
I cannot stress enough the difference a good pizza stone makes. While our recipe includes instructions for baking without one, investing in a pizza stone is 100% recommended for anyone serious about homemade pizza. These stones absorb and retain heat, mimicking a brick oven by transferring intense, even heat directly to the bottom of your pizza dough, resulting in an incredibly crisp crust. They are surprisingly affordable and, with proper care, will last a lifetime. The key to using a pizza stone effectively is to place it in a cold oven and allow it to preheat with the oven for at least 30 minutes, ensuring it reaches the optimal temperature before your pizza touches its surface.
Parchment Paper: A Game-Changer for Transferring
A few years ago, I started using parchment paper for baking pizza, primarily because my husband isn’t a fan of the cornmeal often used to transfer pizza to the oven. Parchment paper eliminates the need for cornmeal and makes transferring a fully topped pizza onto a hot pizza stone or baking sheet incredibly easy and mess-free. While the paper will brown slightly in the hot oven, I’ve never encountered any issues with its performance. If you’re often worried about the delicate dance of moving your pizza into the oven, the parchment paper trick is a simple yet effective solution that will alleviate that stress.
Beyond the Recipe: More Fall Culinary Inspirations
If you’re as enamored with butternut squash as we are, or simply looking to expand your pizza horizons, explore these other delicious recipes:
Looking for more butternut squash recipes?
- Skillet Butternut Squash Lasagna
- Butternut Squash Chili with Beef
- Butternut Squash and Sage Pizza
- Stuffed Butternut Squash
Looking for more pizza recipes?
- Artichoke, Tomato and Spinach Pizza
- Blue Cheese and Bacon Pizza
- Egg Pizza with Creamed Spinach
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Bacon and Spiralized Butternut Squash Pizza
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Ingredients
- 8 oz bacon
- 1 lb pizza dough
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups spirlaized butternut squash
Instructions
- Place a pizza stone in the oven and preheat to 450º – 500º F. (As high as your oven will go.) Let the oven heat for at least 30 minutes.*
- Meanwhile, dice the bacon. Cook in a skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, then remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate.
- Roll the pizza dough out on a piece of floured parchment paper. (Alternately, you can roll out on a cornmeal dusted surface.) Roll the dough out into a large circle.
- In a bowl, combine the ricotta, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Spread evenly over the pizza dough. Top with the butternut squash, then sprinkle the bacon over the top.
- Transfer the pizza to the oven and bake until the crust is crisp, about 10 minutes.
Recipe Notes:
Inspired by Every Day with Rachael Ray November 2017
Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts.