Autumn Harvest Pizza features roasted vegetables; butternut squash, carrots, and garlic, complemented by rich, buttery cheeses, fresh kale, and savory pancetta. This incredible recipe captures the essence of fall in every fabulously delicious bite!
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Autumn Harvest Pizza: Your Ultimate Fall Comfort Food Experience
Every season brings its own unique culinary inspirations, and fall, with its crisp air and vibrant colors, is no exception. This Autumn Harvest Pizza stands as a testament to the season’s bounty, a recipe that transcends expectations and delivers an experience truly worth savoring. From the very first aromatic whiff as it bakes to the unforgettable explosion of flavors with each bite, this pizza is a culinary revelation. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a moment of pure gastronomic delight that will have you falling in love with fall all over again.
Imagine a pizza packed with the rich, aromatic punch of slow-roasted garlic, the comforting sweetness of caramelized butternut squash, and the earthy undertones of tender carrots. Layered with the nutty depth of premium cheeses, the vibrant freshness of crispy kale, and the irresistible savory crunch of pancetta, this pizza is a symphony of textures and tastes. It’s a complete package, offering warmth, richness, and an unexpected lightness that makes it utterly irresistible. This isn’t just a pizza; it’s a celebration of autumn on a plate, a dish that will undoubtedly become a treasured addition to your seasonal cooking repertoire.
The Essential Ingredients: Crafting Fall’s Perfect Pizza
The Foundation: Sweet & Savory Roasted Vegetables
The magic of this Autumn Harvest Pizza truly begins with its glorious roasted vegetables. Butternut squash, with its sweet, nutty flavor, transforms into a velvety, caramelized delight when roasted. Paired with vibrant rainbow carrots, which sweeten and tenderize in the oven, these vegetables form the comforting heart of the pizza. And let’s not forget the garlic! Roasting an entire head of garlic softens its pungent edges, turning it into a mellow, spreadable, intensely aromatic paste that infuses the ricotta base with unparalleled depth.
A Cheese Lover’s Dream: Fontina and Asiago
My lifelong adoration for cheese, a passion inherited directly from my father, has led me to appreciate the nuanced complexities that different cheeses bring to a dish. From childhood memories of a five-year-old me relishing blue cheese to my current explorations, there are very few cheeses I wouldn’t enthusiastically try. While I haven’t yet ventured into the realm of the notoriously pungent Limburger, I remain open to the possibility that even “The World’s Stinkiest Cheese” might hold a delightful surprise!
For this pizza, I’ve carefully selected two exceptional cheeses that elevate its flavor profile: Stella® Fontina and Stella® Asiago. Fontina, a semi-soft Italian cheese, is a true melting marvel. Its sweet, mild, and distinctly buttery notes create a creamy, luxurious layer that perfectly complements the roasted vegetables. Its ability to melt smoothly ensures every slice is rich and indulgent.
Adding another dimension is Stella® Asiago cheese. This hard Italian cheese offers a wonderfully nutty and slightly sharp flavor, which deepens as it ages. In this recipe, it contributes a savory robustness that balances the sweetness of the squash and the butteriness of the Fontina, adding complexity and a satisfying tang to the overall profile. The combination of these two cheeses, along with a creamy ricotta base, creates a truly unforgettable cheesy experience.
The Dynamic Duo: Crispy Pancetta and Fresh Kale
Beyond the vegetables and cheeses, two additional ingredients play crucial roles in defining the character of this Autumn Harvest Pizza: savory pancetta and fresh kale. The pancetta, diced and crisped to perfection, introduces a delightful salty crunch and a rich, meaty depth that contrasts beautifully with the softer elements. It’s a burst of savory flavor that awakens the palate.
Then there’s the kale. Often overlooked on pizza, kale, when lightly tossed in olive oil and baked, transforms into slightly crispy, vibrant green accents. Its subtle bitterness provides a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the cheese and the sweetness of the roasted vegetables, ensuring that each bite is perfectly balanced and never overwhelming. These two elements add essential texture and flavor layers, completing the harvest theme.
Crafting Your Autumn Harvest Masterpiece: Step-by-Step
Creating this pizza is a delightful process that begins with the careful preparation of each component. First, the butternut squash, rainbow carrots, and whole garlic head are lovingly roasted in the oven until tender and beautifully caramelized. This crucial step intensifies their natural sweetness and unlocks deep, earthy flavors. While the vegetables roast, the pancetta is crisped in a pan, its irresistible aroma filling the kitchen, before being set aside to drain.
The roasted garlic, now mellow and sweet, is then mashed and folded into creamy low-fat ricotta cheese, creating an incredibly flavorful and spreadable base for your pizza dough. This garlic-infused ricotta is generously spread over your chosen pizza crust (whether it’s convenient store-bought or a homemade labor of love), establishing a rich and aromatic foundation.
Next, the layering begins: a blend of Stella® Fontina and Stella® Asiago cheeses forms the first layer of decadence. Over this, the sweet roasted butternut squash and carrots are artfully arranged, followed by the crispy pancetta. Finally, the fresh kale, lightly tossed in olive oil, is scattered across the top, ready to crisp slightly in the oven. A final touch of Asiago cheese seals in the flavors before the pizza is baked to golden, bubbly perfection for 12-15 minutes.
The result is a culinary triumph. One bite of this Autumn Harvest Pizza, and you’ll understand the sheer joy it brings. From the incredibly aromatic and slightly crispy crust, infused with roasted garlic, to the tender, sweet vegetables, the meltingly rich cheeses, and the perfectly balanced textures of kale and pancetta – every element is pure perfection. It’s a comforting, sophisticated, and utterly satisfying meal that truly celebrates the best of fall.
There’s no need to delay! Treat yourself and your loved ones to this sensational pizza today. Grab some quality store-bought pizza dough, embrace the vibrant flavors of seasonal fall vegetables, and prepare for an unforgettable dining experience. It’s surprisingly simple to execute, yet delivers a gourmet experience that will delight every palate.
Autumn Harvest Pizza
8 servings
40 minutes
15 minutes
55 minutes
Autumn Harvest Pizza features roasted vegetables; butternut squash, carrots and garlic, buttery cheese, kale and pancetta to give you the best of fall in a fabulously delicious pizza!
Ingredients
- 1 container (2oz) frozen pizza dough
- 1 cup butternut squash, cubed
- 1- bunch rainbow carrots, tops cut off
- 1 head garlic
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 4 ounces pancetta, diced
- 1 cup kale
- salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup Low-fat Ricotta Cheese
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons Stella© Asiago Medium Grated Cheese
- 3 ounces Stella© Fontina cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (232 C).
- Prepare garlic: Place garlic bulb onto foil. Cut off the top and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Wrap up tightly into foil and place onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or a Silpat.
- Roast vegetables: Place cubed butternut squash and carrots onto the same sheet pan with the garlic. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season generously with salt and pepper and stir to evenly coat. Roast in oven for 40 minutes, or until tender and lightly caramelized.
- Crisp pancetta: While vegetables roast, crisp diced pancetta in a pan over medium heat until golden brown. Remove and place onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
- Prepare kale: In a bowl, toss kale with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Prepare pizza dough: Roll out pizza dough onto a pizza stone or pan. Prick all over with a fork to prevent large bubbles during baking.
- Make garlic-ricotta spread: Once roasted garlic is cool enough to handle, remove the soft cloves from the bulb and place them into a bowl with the low-fat ricotta cheese. Mash and stir to combine thoroughly. Spread this flavorful ricotta-garlic mixture evenly onto the prepared pizza crust.
- Assemble pizza: Top the ricotta base with grated Stella© Asiago cheese and Fontina cheese. Evenly distribute the roasted butternut squash, carrots, crispy pancetta, and tossed kale. Finish with an extra sprinkling of Asiago cheese for added flavor.
- Bake pizza: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown, crispy on the bottom, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from oven, slice into 8 pieces, and serve immediately. Enjoy your magnificent Autumn Harvest Pizza!
Recommended Products
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- Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Nonstick Bakeware 14-Inch Pizza Pan, Silver
- Cuisinart Boxed Grater, Black, One Size
- OXO Good Grips 4-Inch Pizza Wheel and Cutter
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8
Serving Size: 1 serving
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 300Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 507mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 13g
Why You’ll Love This Fall Pizza (Beyond the First Bite!)
One of the true joys of creating a dish as satisfying as this Autumn Harvest Pizza is the promise of delicious leftovers. I’m incredibly excited to enjoy slices of this culinary masterpiece throughout the week. It reheats wonderfully, retaining its exquisite blend of flavors and satisfying textures, almost as perfectly as when it was first pulled from the oven. This makes it an ideal meal for busy weeknights, offering a gourmet experience with minimal effort on subsequent days. Truly, this Autumn Harvest Pizza is destined to become your go-to fall recipe, a comforting and flavorful staple for crisp evenings and cozy gatherings.
Pro Tips for the Best Autumn Harvest Pizza
- Choose Your Dough Wisely: While store-bought pizza dough offers convenience without compromising flavor, feel free to use your favorite homemade recipe for an extra personal touch. Ensure it’s at room temperature for easy rolling.
- Perfect Roasting: Don’t overcrowd your sheet pan when roasting vegetables. Give them space to caramelize properly, which enhances their sweetness and texture. A slightly browned edge means maximum flavor!
- Garlic Goodness: Roasting the entire head of garlic is key. It mellows its intensity, turning it sweet and creamy. Don’t skip this step – it elevates the entire pizza.
- Balance is Key: The combination of Fontina for meltiness and Asiago for nutty depth is intentional. Feel free to adjust cheese quantities to your preference, but maintain a balance for the best flavor profile.
- Crispy Pancetta: Ensure your pancetta is truly crispy before adding it. This provides a crucial textural contrast to the soft vegetables and creamy cheese.
- Don’t Overbake Kale: Add the kale towards the end of the assembly process. It only needs a few minutes in the oven to wilt and become slightly crisp, retaining its vibrant color and mild bitterness.
Share Your Culinary Heritage: A Chance to Win Big!
Stella® Cheese is hosting an exciting contest, offering you the chance to win $3,000 by simply sharing your cherished classic family recipe. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to celebrate your culinary traditions and potentially win a fantastic prize. Head over here to enter today and share your delicious heritage!
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