Introduction

Remember those chilly autumn evenings when the air smells like fallen leaves and everything just feels right? There’s something so comforting about warm, savory dishes, and today, we’re bringing that cozy feeling right to your kitchen with a recipe that’s going to become your new favorite: Pumpkin Gouda Pizza! This isn’t your average pizza; it’s a delightful blend of earthy pumpkin, sweet caramelized onions, and nutty Gouda cheese, all baked onto a crispy crust. It’s incredibly simple to whip up, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun weekend project.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Seriously, from start to finish, this pizza comes together in under an hour.
Easy: No fancy techniques needed here! If you can spread and sprinkle, you can make this pizza.
Giftable: Imagine bringing this unique pizza to a potluck or a friend’s house. It’s a guaranteed hit and shows off your thoughtful side.
Crowd-pleasing: Even picky eaters will be won over by the sweet and savory combination. It’s a little unexpected, but oh-so-delicious!

Ingredients

Gathering your ingredients is half the fun! Here’s what you’ll need for this delicious creation:

16 oz fresh pizza dough: You can buy this at most grocery stores. Grab your favorite kind!
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil: A good quality olive oil really makes a difference.
1 large (or 2 small-medium) yellow onion, peeled and sliced: Yellow onions have that perfect sweetness when caramelized.
3 cloves garlic, minced: Fresh garlic is a must for that wonderful aromatic punch.
3/4 cup canned pumpkin puree: Make sure it’s 100% pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
1/2 tsp kosher salt: It enhances all the flavors.
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes: Just a little kick to warm things up! Adjust to your spice preference.
5 oz Gouda cheese, shredded: This is the star cheese for a reason! Its smoky, nutty flavor is incredible here.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get our aprons on and make some pizza magic!

Preheat your oven: First things first, get your oven nice and hot. Follow the temperature instructions on your pizza dough package. If you have a pizza stone, pop it in the oven now so it gets super hot too.
Caramelize those onions: In a skillet, heat your olive oil over medium heat. Add your sliced onions and let them cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until they’re soft and have a beautiful golden-brown color. This usually takes about 10-15 minutes, but patience here is key for sweetness!
Whip up the pumpkin spread: While your onions are doing their thing, grab a small bowl. Combine the pumpkin puree, minced garlic, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes. Give it a good stir until everything is nicely mixed.
Get your dough ready: Lightly flour a clean surface or lay down some parchment paper. Gently stretch or roll out your pizza dough to your desired shape and thickness. I like to go for a rustic, slightly imperfect shape – it adds to the charm!
Spread the love: Evenly spread the pumpkin mixture all over your pizza dough. Leave a little edge clear for a lovely crust.
Pile on the goodness: Now, scatter those gorgeous caramelized onions over the pumpkin layer.
Cheese, please! Sprinkle the shredded Gouda cheese generously over the onions. Don’t be shy!
Into the oven it goes: Carefully transfer your pizza to the hot oven. If you’re using a pizza stone, slide it right on. If not, a baking sheet works perfectly.
Bake to perfection: Bake according to your pizza dough package directions, or until the crust is golden brown and that Gouda cheese is melted, bubbly, and looking irresistible.
The final touch: Once it’s out of the oven, let it cool for just a few minutes. This helps everything set so you can slice it beautifully. Enjoy your amazing homemade pizza!

Substitutions & Additions

This pizza is fantastic as is, but feel free to get creative! Here are a few ideas:

Cheese swaps: While Gouda is amazing, Gruyère, sharp cheddar, or even a bit of mozzarella would also be delicious.
Add some greens: Toss some fresh spinach or arugula on top after baking for a pop of color and freshness.
Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh sage or thyme alongside the pumpkin mixture would be divine.
Meat lovers: Crispy pancetta or crumbled bacon would be a wonderful savory addition.

Tips for Success

A few little tricks can make your pizza even better:

Don’t overcrowd the pan: When caramelizing your onions, make sure they have enough space in the pan to soften and brown properly.
Room temperature dough: Letting your pizza dough sit out at room temperature for about 30 minutes before stretching makes it much easier to work with.
Prep ahead: You can caramelize the onions and mix the pumpkin spread a day in advance! Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
Hot oven is key: A hot oven creates that perfect crispy crust.

How to Store It

Leftover pizza is a treasure! If you happen to have any (which I doubt!), simply let it cool completely, then wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay delicious for about 2-3 days. Reheat slices in a skillet over medium-low heat for a crispy crust, or in the oven at around 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.

FAQs

Here are a few questions you might have:

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned? Yes, you can! You’ll need to roast and puree your own pumpkin, and make sure to drain out any excess moisture so your spread isn’t too watery.
What kind of pizza dough should I use? Any store-bought fresh pizza dough will work beautifully. You can also use homemade dough if you have a favorite recipe!
Is this pizza spicy? It has a very mild warmth from the red pepper flakes, which can be adjusted to your liking. It’s more of a comforting heat than a fiery one.

Pumpkin Gouda Pizza

A delightful blend of earthy pumpkin, sweet caramelized onions, and nutty Gouda cheese, all baked onto a crispy crust. This pizza is incredibly simple to whip up, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun weekend project.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 20

Servings 4 servings

Equipment

Oven Preheat according to pizza dough package instructions. Use with a pizza stone or baking sheet.
pizza stone Optional, but recommended for a crispier crust. Preheat in the oven.
Skillet For caramelizing onions.
Small bowl For mixing the pumpkin spread.
Parchment paper Optional, for preparing the dough.
Baking Sheet If not using a pizza stone.

Ingredients

Main ingredients

16 oz fresh pizza dough Your favorite kind.
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil A good quality olive oil.
1 large yellow onion Peeled and sliced. Or 2 small-medium.
3 cloves garlic Minced.
0.75 cup canned pumpkin puree 100% pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
0.5 tsp kosher salt
0.25 tsp red pepper flakes Adjust to your spice preference.
5 oz Gouda cheese Shredded.

Instructions

Preheat your oven according to the pizza dough package instructions. If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat.
In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown (about 10-15 minutes).
16 oz fresh pizza dough
In a small bowl, combine pumpkin puree, minced garlic, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes. Stir until well mixed.
16 oz fresh pizza dough
Lightly flour a surface or use parchment paper. Stretch or roll out pizza dough to your desired shape and thickness.
16 oz fresh pizza dough
Evenly spread the pumpkin mixture over the pizza dough, leaving a small edge for the crust.
Scatter the caramelized onions over the pumpkin layer.
Sprinkle the shredded Gouda cheese generously over the onions.
16 oz fresh pizza dough
Carefully transfer the pizza to the hot oven (onto the pizza stone or a baking sheet).
Bake according to pizza dough package directions, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

You can caramelize the onions and mix the pumpkin spread a day in advance and store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. For a crispier crust, ensure your oven is hot and consider using a pizza stone.