Sometimes I take a look back at older recipes from years ago, even all the way back to our first year of HBH. I either ask myself, “what was I thinking”, or I mumble, “hmm, that sounds pretty delicious”. It’s usually either one or the other, but either way, it’s fun. This pizza is inspired by a pizza I made years ago. This is my updated variation and it’s so yummy! I had originally shared a pumpkin pizza recipe with the brand, Wisconsin Cheese. The sounds of a spicy pumpkin pizza with salty bacon sounded unique and really delicious. It’s actually a pizza I’ve wanted to recreate for a while now. Once I began working on updating this recipe I became more and more excited. I just love this pizza! It’s the perfect pizza for these cold fall months! It’s a tinsy bit spicy with just the slightest touch of sweetness. There’s also melty cheese and a little salty crunch thanks to the bacon. So yummy!
Here are the details
Step 1: the dough I use the dough recipe from the HBH Every Day cookbook. It’s my go-to and the pizza dough I use almost every week when we have pizza night. This time, however, instead of using water, I ended up using a pumpkin beer in the dough. It’s such a flavorful addition if you’re making homemade pizza dough! Simply mix warm water with yeast and add about a cup of pumpkin beer. Then add flour, bread flour, and salt. I knead the dough with a stand mixer for about 5 minutes, then let it rise for an hour or so. And then it’s ready to go, nothing fancy! It’s my favorite pizza dough! Alternatively, feel free to pick up your favorite store-bought dough. I love the options from Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods. Just make sure your dough is at room temperature. This will make shaping your pizzas much easier. Step 2: the pumpkin sauce This is the heart of the pizza and what makes it so delicious. Take canned pumpkin purée and mix it together with chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Then mix in your favorite hot sauce, I love Franks. It’s almost like a spicy pumpkin buffalo sauce. Again, it’s different, but such a wonderful flavor. You have to trust me! Step 3: everything else Now, push or roll the pizza dough out. Spread the pumpkin sauce over the dough and add a handful of shredded kale. You could also use chopped broccoli, that would be really great too. It’s actually what I used when I first made this pizza 10 years ago. Now, add sweet, melty gouda cheese and sharp cheddar cheese. It’s a great combination with the spicy pumpkin sauce. Finish the pizza with lightly crisped bacon. The bacon adds a salty umami flavor that’s just DELICIOUS. It might sound odd with the pumpkin, but it really is wonderful. Step 4: bake, eat, and enjoy Throw the pizza into a super hot oven and cook until the cheese is bubbling up and the bacon is looking perfectly crispy. And that’s it. Top with thinly sliced green onion, cilantro, and honey, then slice, eat, and enjoy! I’ve made this pizza a few times recently and it’s always a hit! A great fall pizza for sure. Looking forward to sharing this with family in a few weeks as we head into the busy holiday season! Looking for other pizza recipes? Here are some favorites Caramelized Shallot and Bacon Goat Cheese Pizza Roasted Mushroom Kale Pizza Rosemary Roasted Butternut Squash Pizza Pull Apart Roasted Garlic Pizza Dip Sliders Pesto Pizza with Feta Stuffed Crust Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken Pizza Easy Sheet Pan Tomato Herb Pizza Pesto Potato Burrata Pizza with Spicy Arugula Lastly, if you make this Gouda, Bacon and Pumpkin Pizza, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
