Butternut Squash Pizza
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Squash on pizza? Absolutely! Butternut squash pizza is a sweet and savory combination and is an any-day-of-the-week fall delight. The natural nutty and sweet flavor of the butternut squash coupled with goat cheese and roasted garlic is a cozy night-in dream and will be the hit of any autumn potluck!
Other perfect fall pizzas to try include this brussels sprouts pizza with blue cheese and this bacon jam pizza!
Any pizza starts with really good dough, and this homemade pizza dough recipe is our favorite. It's just the right amount of chewy and crispy with scorched bubbles on the crust ā plus it doesn't require any kneading! Consider making it ahead of your pizza night as it'll need ample time to rise. If you're in a time crunch, store-bought pizza dough will also work.
Now that you have your dough, it's time to talk toppings. This butternut squash pizza recipe is loaded with roasted squash, caramelized onions, spinach, fresh rosemary, and goat cheese. Plus, if you're a garlic fan *raises hand* then this one's for you! With two whole heads of roasted garlic, you better believe it's packed with that soft, sweet roasted garlic flavor.
If you're in a time crunch, try this white garlic pizza sauce as the base of your butternut squash pizza. It's made with sauteed garlic instead of roasted garlic so it takes much less time to prepare.
How to prepare and cook butternut squash
Butternut squash has a hard exterior, but it's worth the effort to get to the soft and delicious inside. For this recipe, you'll need a small butternut squash, peeled and cut into cubes.
To cut butternut squash, use a sharp chef's knife and remove the bulb first. You'll be left with the neck and bulb as separate pieces, which makes it easier to handle. You can then peel the neck by running your peeler along it. If you're going to use the whole squash, you can also peel the bulb.
Once the squash is peeled, you can cut the two large pieces in half. Then, scoop out the seeds. Continue to slice the squash into strips and dice from there.
For this butternut squash pizza recipe, you'll need to roast the squash at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Toss the butternut squash cubes in olive oil and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Check the squash after 20 minutes, if it's soft, remove it from the oven and set it aside in a bowl.
Voila! Prepared and beautifully roasted butternut squash, ready for your pizza!
How to make butternut squash pizza
We went over the prep and cooking instructions for the star ingredient, butternut squash, above, but we'll go over all the steps you need for pizza perfection here:
- Roast Squash and Garlic: The butternut squash cubes and garlic heads will go in the oven together in a single layer on a baking sheet. Slice about Ā½ inch off the top of each head of garlic so that all cloves are showing slightly, but place the cut-side down on the baking sheet. Drizzle everything with some olive oil. Check the squash after 20 minutes, if it's soft, remove it from the oven and set it aside. Continue to cook the garlic until it is soft and fragrant, about 10 minutes more minutes. While you're roasting the squash and garlic, you can get to work on assembling other parts of the pizza.
- Mash the garlic: Once the garlic has cooled, gently squeeze the garlic cloves out of their skin. Mash 10 of the roasted garlic cloves with a fork in a small bowl. Leave the rest whole.
- Caramelize the onion: Heat the butter and olive oil together and then add the onion. Once the onion is translucent, reduce the heat and stir in the maple syrup. Keep cooking until the onions are light golden brown.
- Make the pizza sauce: Start by making a roux; combine equal parts butter and flour and then slowly add in the milk. Bring it to a boil and whisk until it has thickened. Stir in the mashed roasted garlic and season with salt and pepper.
- Assemble the pizza: Form your pizza dough and spread the white pizza sauce on top. Add the caramelized onions, roasted butternut squash, roasted garlic, baby spinach, goat cheese, and rosemary.
- Bake the Pizza: Bake the pizzas for 12-15 minutes until the top is bubbling and the crust is golden.
What pairs well with butternut squash?
When you think butternut squash, you think cozy. If it's chilly and blustery outside, you want something warm and comforting inside. Here are some options that make a perfect pairing with this butternut squash pizza recipe:
More butternut squash recipes
In the fall and winter months butternut squash is in abundance, and it's usually a relatively cheap ingredient to include in your meal planning. Plus, it lasts for quite some time, allowing you to use it when you're ready. Here are some more delightfully warm recipes you can try using butternut squash. Or check out all of our squash recipes!
Recipe FAQs
Can I use another pizza sauce?
Another delicious sauce option is this garlic pizza sauce. Pesto also works well. A tomato-based sauce is not recommended as the flavor isn't quite right for this recipe.
Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Absolutely! Make sure to follow the cooking instructions on the packaging for best results.
Why is my butternut squash soggy?
If your roasted squash is really mushy and not keeping the cube shape, it may be that you used too much olive oil while baking.
What meat can I add to this pizza?
Cooked and chopped Italian sausage is a nice addition. Or try some prosciutto or spicy chorizo!
More pizza recipes
Butternut Squash Pizza Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 small butternut squash (peeled and cut into cubes)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 heads garlic
- Ā¼ cup baby spinach
- 4 ounces goat cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary (minced)
- 2 pizza doughs
Maple Caramelized Onions
- 1 teaspoon EACH: butter and olive oil
- 1 large onion (thinly sliced)
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
Roasted Garlic Pizza Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Roast Squash and Garlic. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Toss the butternut squash cubes in olive oil and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Slice about Ā½ inch off the top of each head of garlic so that all cloves are showing slightly. Drizzle a little olive oil over each head and arrange, cut-side down, on the baking sheet with the squash.Check the squash after 20 minutes, if it is soft, remove it from the oven and set it aside in a bowl. Continue to cook the garlic until it is soft and fragrant, about 10 minutes more minutes.1 small butternut squash, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 heads garlic
- Mash Garlic. Remove the garlic from the oven and, once it is cool enough to handle, gently squeeze the garlic cloves out of their skin. Mash 10 of the roasted garlic cloves with a fork in a small bowl. Leave the rest whole.
- Caramelize the Onion. While the squash is roasting, make the other parts of the pizza. Heat the butter and olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is translucent. Reduce the heat to medium-low, stir in the maple syrup, and continue to cook until the onions are light golden brown.1 teaspoon EACH: butter and olive oil, 1 large onion, 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- Make the Sauce. Melt the butter in a frying pan or small pot over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk till combined. Cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously. Slowly add the milk and whisk till combined. Bring it to a boil and whisk until it has thickened. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the mashed roasted garlic. Season to taste with salt and pepper.2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1 cup milk, Salt and pepper
- Assemble the Pizza. Form both pizza doughs and spread the white pizza sauce on top. Add the caramelized onions, roasted butternut squash, roasted garlic, baby spinach, goat cheese, and rosemary.Ā¼ cup baby spinach, 4 ounces goat cheese, 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, 2 pizza doughs
- Bake the Pizza. One at a time, bake the pizzas for 12-15 minutes until the top is bubbling and the crust is golden.
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our pizza recipes!
Delicious recipe. I used kabocha squash and chili oil for my pizzas which worked really well! Also, I used Stonefire flatbread thin crust pizza for my dough, super tasty!
I’ll have to look for that dough!
I stumbled across this recipe about three years ago and have been making it at least once a month ever since, so I figured I owed you a comment. It’s so good! I’m actually eating it right now and it it possible my favorite food in the whole world. Thank you so much!
That is such a big compliment! And thank you so much for coming back to comment!!
Omg, this pizza looks superb. I’ve been meaning to wander a bit and do something different than just my regular broccoli and eggplant pizza. I’ll give this a go!
I hope you love it as much as I do!
Hm This pizza looks so tasty! I can not wait to make one.
This pizza is so good! I hope you love it, too!!
Amazing! I made this for dinner last night and it’s so good! I left out the carmalized onions (not an onion fan) and its so full of flavor even without them. I will definitely make this again!
I just finished eating this delicious pizza which my wife made and I must say
it’s heavenly!!! In fact, it’s now on our list of favorite foods. :0) Thanks for an
amazing recipe!
I made this last night with some spent grain pizza dough after a long day brewing beer. Amazing! Thanks for the great recipe.
You’re so welcome, Jim!
Just discovered your food blog and this post recently while looking for a “butternut squash pizza” recipe. After browsing a few of the results, this one looked the best. Since my husband is a big fan of pepperoni pizza and doesn’t fully appreciate my fancy non-traditional pizza endeavors, I invited a friend over Friday night for dinner to try this out on. This pizza was fun to make, made the whole house smell wonderful, and was SOOOO GOOD! My husband even stole a few pieces and agreed it was one of the best pizzas I’ve made (and I worked in a pizza shop for 4 years, so I make a lot of pizzas).
Thanks for the original and delicious recipe! I look forward to making it again and trying out some of the other recipes on your blog : )
I have just made my shopping list & i cant wait to get this on the table in a few hours! It is just mouthwatering!! Will let you know how we liked it!!
I can’t wait to hear what you think of it. It is one of my favourites!
Hiya Kristen, a bit late yes…. in the meantime we have made this pizza several times, it is just gorgeous!! A true Pizza Bianca and the butternut witht he goats cheese is to die for! Thank you for this wonderful recipe! Salute! Ka
Pizza may be my greatest weakness, and I love any excuse to eat goats cheese and caramelised onions. I have to try this!
Hey Jenny,
I hope you do! It really was my favourite pizza yet š
Makes it into my Top 5 favorite pizzas – this one will definitely be added into the rotation.
A wonderful balance of flavors!
Hey Kristin,
I’m so happy to hear that you loved it. It is definitely one of my favourites!
Yuuummmmmmy – this looks like one amazing pizza. I’d probably eat it as leftovers for a week!
Oooh, you’ve got some great judgement! I love butternut squash, goat cheese and rosemary so this is the perfect pizza for me! Homemade pizza is so much fun and yes, an endless pizza would be wonderful!
Thanks, Julia!
I have just eaten lunch but now my mouth is watering after reading this recipe. I do a grilled pizza that my nephew refers to as his last meal, should he ever be on death row: http://www.hometownslop.blogspot.com/2012/02/grilled-pizzas-dish-that-i-am-loved-for.html
Thanks for sharing,
Jeff
You’re welcome, Jeff. I’ve heard about grilling pizza before but I’ve never tried it before myself. Will check yours out for sure š
I will definitely be making this soon! Pictures are gorgeous! š
Oh momma, that looks good! It’s like 9am here, but I’d eat that for breakfast if I had it in my fridge! š
Lol I love pizza for breakfast!