I called this a fall pizza because of the squash, cranberries and comfort factor, but really it's so tasty I could eat it any time. A delicious combination of flavors, it's definitely one to add to your pizza night menu!
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While we don't have pizza night all that often, when we do it's always popular. The kids are a little stuck in their ways with pepperoni but I try to mix things up for us, at least.
In late summer, my bacon corn pizza was a favorite. Then in previous years I have tried a few fall-inspired pizzas like my bacon jam, pear and butternut squash pizza. All good and nicely different. I'm looking forward to trying this garlic shrimp pizza soon, too.
This time rather than using a vegetable to make a base as in my other fall pizzas, I decided to go with a more classic tomato base but still give it a fall feel on top. It most definitely worked.
Now I'll be honest, this isn't a pizza you just pull the toppings out the fridge and put them on top. There is a bit of pre-cooking involved. However you can easily do this ahead of time so you are all ready to go when it's time to make the pizza.
How to make this fall pizza
- Roast the squash and cook the sausage and onions - I suggest doing these ahead of time.
- Flatten the pizza dough and put on a lined baking sheet.
- Spread over the tomato sauce.
- Top with mozzarella, onions, squash, sliced sausage and dried cranberries.
- Sprinkle over the parmesan/pecorino and bake until the crust is golden.
Ways to make this quicker
You can easily speed things up a little by buying ready-made pizza dough and ready-cooked sausage. If you're organized, you could also add some squash in the oven as you're cooking something else and cook some extra onion, if that fits, then set aside.
Whether you speed things up a little or not, however, this fall pizza is one incredibly tasty bite. With a little sweetness, a little spice and lots of comforting goodness, this is one pizza you need to try.
Craving more pizza? Try these!
- Lahmacun (Turkish pizza/flatbread with meaty topping)
- Spanish pizza (Catalan coca)
- Caramelized onion and gorgonzola pizza
- Plus get more seasonal inspiration in the fall recipes archives.
If you're looking for a pizza dough recipe, why not give my sourdough pizza dough a try.
Fall pizza with sausage and squash
Ingredients
- 5 oz butternut squash 140g (peeled weight)
- 1 ½ tablespoon olive oil divided
- 1 hot Italian sausage (or other flavorful sausage, approx 4oz/110g)
- ½ onion medium, or ¼ large
- 8 oz pizza dough 225g (homemade or bought)
- ¼ cup tomato sauce 60ml (or tomato passata)
- 2 oz mozzarella 60g
- 1 ½ tablespoon dried cranberries
- ¼ cup parmesan 15g, approx (or pecorino)
Instructions
Ahead of time (suggested)
- Preheat oven to 400F/200C. Peel and de-seed the squash and cut into small chunks. Put in a small oven dish in a single layer and toss with around half the oil. Roast for approx 30 minutes until tender and just starting to brown. Set aside (can be cooled and stored in fridge overnight).
- Cook the sausage as you prefer - broil/grill/pan fry until cooked through. Set aside and slice in medium slices.
- Thinly slice the onion and fry in a small skillet in the remaining olive oil until soft and just starting to brown. Set aside.
When ready to cook
- Preheat oven to 425F/220C. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Flatten out the pizza dough and spread out as thinly as you can on the parchment. Top with the tomato sauce leaving a thin edge without sauce.
- Top the tomato sauce with the cooked onions, roasted squash and sausage slices, spreading them out evenly. Slice up the mozzarella and dot over the pizza.
- Sprinkle over the cranberries and then top with the parmesan/pecorino. Bake for approximately 20 minutes in the middle of the oven until the crust is golden brown.
Notes
Nutrition
See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store.
I'm excited to be sharing this recipe as part of Cranberry Week - now in it's third year! See all the other tasty cranberry recipes today (and follow #cranberryweek)
- Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread from Our Good Life
- Cranberry Cheese Ball from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
- Lamb Lollipops with Cranberry-Apple Mostarda from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Cranberry-Orange Glazed Ham from Cooking For My Soulmate
- Cranberry Chipotle Glazed Baked Salmon from Palatable Pastime
- Quinoa with Turkey, Brussels Sprouts & Cranberries from Books n' Cooks
- Maple Honey Cranberry Sauce from Jolene's Recipe Journal
- Bourbon Cranberry Sauce from Cookaholic Wife
- Cranberry Orange Scones from A Joyfully Mad Kitchen
- Cranberry Almond Shortbread Tart from Karen's Kitchen Stories
- Glazed Cranberry Almond Squares from Family Around the Kitchenware
- Real Cranberry Gummy Bears from Daily Dish Recipes
- Cranberry Ice Cream from Kate's Recipe Box
- Cranberry Apple Pie from The Redhead Baker
- Hot Spiced Cranberry Orange Cocktail from The Gingered Whisk
Kate
This has my name all over it! Yum!!
Caroline's Cooking
Enjoy!
Christie
So much flavor on a pizza! I can't wait to get some butternut and try this. It would make a great appetizer, too!
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, the flavors all work so well. And yes, I can see it working well as an appetizer as well.
Camilla
Okay. Wow. I can't wait to try this! Genius flavor profile, Caroline.
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks so much, it all works so well.
Chelsey
Love this combination of flavors! I've never thought to put cranberries on pizza, genius!
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, you don't want too much, I would say, but the small amount here works so well especially with the slightly spicy sausage.
Sue Lau
Pizzas are fun every now and again- especially when they are made like this and not as mundane delivery fare.
Caroline's Cooking
I agree, pizzas are really not so hard and taste so much better when made well (and homemade means you can experiment with tasty combinations like this!)
Liz @ Books n' Cooks
What a unique and interesting flavor combo. I would love to try a slice of this!
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, the flavors really do work so well together.
Nicole
This pizza is gorgeous! I love the toppings. Definitely making this soon!
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, they all work so well together - enjoy!
Tania
Yummy! I love butternut squash on my pizza. This sound amazing!
Caroline's Cooking
I agree it works really well, and the flavors here are great.
Karen
This pizza sounds incredible Caroline! Such an amazing combination of flavors. Happy Cranberry Week!
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, the flavors are all so good together. Thanks for joining in the cranberry fun!
Jolene
Putting squash on pizza is brilliant! Can't wait to give it a try!
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, it works so well, especially with everything else here.