Three Hearty Winter Pizza Recipes

It’s been a crazy winter so far! Depending on where you live, you might have seen more rain, sleet, or snow than you bargained for. As the weather patterns change, so do our eating habits and cravings. In the heat of the summer we tend to crave light, balanced meals; the kinds of foods that keep our bodies ready for a day at the beach. As winter turns down the global thermostat, the natural urge is to eat meals that are more rich, comforting, and warming. Foods like soups and stews, pot pies, and roasts take over our dinner menus “by storm” (pun intended). But what about that year-round dish we call pizza? We’ve come up with three hearty winter pizza recipes to tantalize your taste buds and warm your soul.

Squash, Chorizo and Kale Pizza

Ingredients

• 1 piece pizza dough, 8-10 oz.
• ¼ C. chorizo, cooked
• ¼ C. kale, blanched
• ½ C. mozzarella, shredded
• ½ C. butternut squash, cut small dice and roasted
• 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil (plus extra for roasting squash)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Peel and cut squash into ¼” cubes, coat in olive oil, and roast for 20-30 minutes until tender.
3. Use a large pot of boiling water to blanch the kale for 60-90 seconds, then stop the cooking process by placing it in ice water after it’s cooked.
4. Begin assembling the pizza by stretching your dough to the desired size and shape.
5. Next, drizzle the olive oil on the crust, add the cheese, kale, cooked chorizo, and squash.
6. Finally bake your pizza using your preferred method.

Lamb Sausage, Grilled Onion, Ricotta and Parsley Pizza

Ingredients

• 1 piece pizza dough, 8-10 oz.
• 1 C. lamb sausage, cooked
• ½ small red onion, sliced and grilled
• ¼ C. ricotta
• ½ C. mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 tsp. parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Render sausage in a small sauté pan.
2. Cook onions on the grill using a grill grid, wok, or basket.
3. Begin assembling the pizza by stretching your dough to the desired size and shape.
4. Next, add the cheese, sausage, onions.
5. Add ricotta by forming small dollops with your fingers.
6. Finally, bake your pizza using your preferred method.
7. Finish with chopped parsley.

Three Meat, Fresh Mozzarella and Wild Arugula Pizza

Ingredients

• 1 piece pizza dough, 8-10 oz.
• 5-7 slices pepperoni
• 5 slices Genoa Salami
• 5 slices Sopressata Salami
• 1/2 tsp. red chili flakes
• Small handful wild arugula
• 3 oz. San Marzano tomatoes, crushed
• 1 piece fresh mozzarella, 4 oz. (approx.)

Instructions

1. Stack all salami together and slice into ¼” strips.
2. Begin assembling the pizza by stretching your dough to the desired size and shape.
3. Next, spread the tomato sauce, add the all of the cut salami and pepperoni, then tear half of the mozzarella ball into pieces and distribute across the pizza.
4. Bake pizza using preferred method.
5. Remove from oven and top with wild arugula and chili flakes.
6. Drizzle fresh extra virgin olive oil on top of the arugula to finish.

This year, break up the monotony of holiday-gathering cuisine and try a winter pizza party or two. With so many possibilities for winning winter pizza combinations, it just might become your favorite new holiday fare!