Caramelized Butternut Squash Pizza with Basil Pesto
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Delicious cheesy winter squash pizza with fresh pesto and provolone cheese.
Author:
Serves: 1
Ingredients
Pesto
  • 1 cup tightly packed basil leaves
  • 2 tsp pine nuts
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 slice provolone cheese
Pizza dough
  • 2¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
  • ¾ cup warm water
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • ½ tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1-2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
Pizza topping
  • 1+3/4 cup finely chopped butternut squash
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • ½ cup cheddar, shredded
  • 3 slices provolone cheese, shredded or around ¼-1/2 cup
  • Red chili flakes for sprinkling on top
Instructions
  1. Blend everything for the pesto until smooth.Keep it aside.
  2. In a pan, add oil,butternut squash and sugar.Cook while stirring until caramelized.Keep it aside.
  3. For pizza dough: In a bowl, to warm water dissolve yeast and honey. Let it sit for few mins until it starts to foam. Add both flours,salt,olive oil and chili flakes. Knead until smooth. If it feels too dry, add little bit more water. Add little olive oil in a clean bowl and transfer the ball of dough in there. Wrap with a plastic wrap and let it sit in warm place for good 2-4 hours or until it doubles in size.
Assembly
  1. Roll out the dough on a floured surface. Spread with pesto evenly. Spread shredded cheddar cheese on top. Spread with caramelized butternut squash and then provolone cheese. Bake in a 420 F oven for around 19-21 mins. Bake until crispy. Serve with remaining pesto.
Notes
If short on time, you can swap homemade pizza dough with store bought.
For a quick "under an hour" dinner prep, you can make the dough in the morning and let it sit all day in a warm place. The rest of the work will take under an hour and you will have pizza on table before you die of hunger!
Recipe by Naive Cook Cooks at https://www.naivecookcooks.com/caramelized-butternut-squash-pizza-with-pesto/