Butternut Squash Pizza with Goat Cheese, Fennel and Sage

Today, I have for you one more delicious way to enjoy Roasted Butternut Squash. Sweet, spicy, with hint of fennel and tang of goat cheese and roasted sage.. This butternut squash pizza pie is CRAZY delicious! 

For me, fennel, honey and goat cheese make this pizza, THE best butternut squash pizza ever. 

You can pre-prep or even make whole pizza ahead. (more on this ahead). Serve it for family pizza night. Or make it as flat-bread and serve as holiday dinner party starter. This pizza has looks to impress guests!

So, what do you say? Let's make some butternut squash pizza, the pie! 

I have a special connection with this pizza because first time I tried it in a local "Modern Rustic" pizzeria.. They sell pizza pies featuring less cheese, topped with savory/spicy ingredients that stand out. (totally my kinda pizzas) That day, Butternut Suash Pizza with Goat Cheese was on fall seasonal special and everyone had same order.. Everyone because 1) Guys, it is butternut squash. I mean, there is no fall without some roasted butternut squash love. Isn't it? And 2) because that pizza was even better than my interpretation. It had bacon. Mine is vegetarian. I know. You hate me, don't you?

I have vivid memories of that pizza night because 1) our order got so messed up that day... And 2) because pizza was flavor-bomb. We were group of 20... and ended up sharing a few pizzas instead of one each.. because pizzeria ran out of toppings. :) They told us, every guest walking into their pizzeria was asking for the same pizza.

Fall Squash Love, you guys!! Fall + Butternut Squash = Fall Nirvana!

My order was without bacon. Chef added a few olives on my pizza instead of bacon. I loved how briny olives and tangy goat cheese played with sweet butternut squash. First-bite-and-eyes-pop-open kinda experience. 

I love Pizza with lesser cheese and savory toppings instead of pizza sauce. So this butternut squash pizza recipe speaks to my heart. I used just amount of cheese which can hold the toppings together. And each topping makes you forget pizza sauce a little more.. 

The secret to have less cheese yet a delicious pizza?

Add cheese as first layer and top with savory toppings.

Cheese at bottom will hold the toppings. You get right amount in every bite yet pizza looks delicious. Plus not loaded or heavy at all.

I enhanced the flavor of base without pizza sauce by doting the top with goat cheese. It's tang keep every bite deliciously savory that you never miss pizza sauce. I roasted Butternut Squash with honey and salt. This brings out the fruity flavors of squash which was unapologetic-ally delicious with hint of chilies, and my favorite, fennel seeds. Fennel seeds are aromatic just like fennel bulbs. These taste delicious in sweet and savory dishes. If you have never tried fennel seeds. I can tell you this is the recipe to start with. (All those fennel sausage fans, you will adore this pizza!!) I highly recommend buying some for this pizza. Most grocery store carry Fennel Seeds in spice section. You can also buy'em online here. (affiliate link)

Friends, does this pizza look gorgeous or I'm the only one gushing about it's looks? 

For it's good looks.. You can also serve this as party appetizer. Make a square flat bread and cut in wedges. Drizzle honey and fennel seeds on top for festive presentation. 

Few Shortcuts:

Pre-Prep:

For entertaining, or even when serving for Pizza Night at home... A quick turnaround time is always welcome. Here is what I do:

1) Roast butternut squash ahead of time. It will stay good up-to two days.
2) Buy store bought pizza dough few days ahead. Thaw it in refrigerator overnight.
3) Assembling this pizza takes 5 minutes. But, for a busy entertaining day, sometimes finding 5 minutes can be tricky. So, you can:
a) Mix the seasonings and keep ready to go. 
b) Place toppings - cheese, roasted squash and sliced olives in two separate containers. Refrigerate.

When ready to bake. Preheat oven. Roll pizza dough, spread toppings and bake. Simple, easy, clean, and delicous.

Make Ahead and Freeze:

Last but no way the least.. You can even assemble the whole pizza (with toppings) and freeze. Bake just before guest arrive. Serve a hot out of oven butternut squash pizza in no time and enjoy!

This pizza was my idea of another unique way to eat butternut squash. Not just make soups.. Top it on pizza, mix it in risottos with Butternut Squash Risotto, or simple roast it with seasonal herbs like this Rosemary Roasted Butternut Squash. It's vitamin rich, delicious and in-season. Enjoy it everyday!

-Savita x