Gourmet Brussels Sprouts Pizza with Creamy Burrata and Crispy Pancetta

Prepare to revolutionize your pizza night with this extraordinary Brussels Sprouts Pizza. It’s not just a pizza; it’s a culinary experience that blends the humble Brussels sprout with luxurious burrata cheese, sharp red onion, and savory pancetta, all on a perfectly crisp crust. The best part? This gourmet creation comes together in just 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for a delicious and surprisingly simple weeknight meal that your entire family will absolutely adore.

Forget everything you thought you knew about vegetables on pizza. This recipe is destined to become your new favorite way to enjoy Brussels sprouts. When roasted to perfection, these often-misunderstood greens transform, developing a delightful nutty flavor and a tender-crisp texture that pairs exquisitely with the rich, creamy elements of this pizza. It’s a fact – some vegetables, like our beloved Brussels sprouts, simply reach their peak deliciousness when nestled among gooey cheese and savory toppings on a warm, golden crust.

While I truly appreciate incorporating vegetables into every meal, whether it’s a vibrant winter kale salad or a hearty cauliflower breakfast bowl, crowning a pizza with them often takes the prize. My popular Caesar Salad Pizza recipe is another testament to how incredible greens can be when served on a cheesy base. It’s an ingenious strategy for introducing new flavors and textures, proving that the most delicious way to encourage everyone to eat their greens is often by serving them on a slice of pizza!

Looking for the perfect accompaniment to this sensational pizza? Consider pairing it with a side that complements its rich flavors. My sweet and spicy paleo baked chicken wings offer a fantastic protein boost and a delightful kick, or for a lighter, refreshing option, my spinach tomato bulgur salad makes a wonderful, healthy side dish. Both are excellent choices to complete your meal.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Brussels Sprouts Pizza

• **A Symphony of Flavors and Textures:** This pizza is a culinary masterpiece, showcasing the ultimate combination of sweet, savory, and creamy. The caramelized Brussels sprouts offer a delightful bitterness and chew, perfectly balanced by the sharp bite of red onion, the salty crunch of pancetta, and the indulgent, creamy richness of burrata.
• **Effortless & Speedy Weeknight Dinner:** With a prep time of just 10 minutes and a cook time of 20 minutes, this entire recipe comes together in about half an hour. It’s an ideal solution for busy weeknights when you crave a homemade, healthy, and satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• **Gourmet Taste, Home Kitchen Simplicity:** Despite its sophisticated flavor profile, this pizza is incredibly easy to make. Utilizing readily available ingredients and straightforward steps, you can create a restaurant-quality meal right in your own home, impressing guests and family alike.
• **A Delicious Way to Enjoy Vegetables:** If you’re looking for a clever and delectable method to incorporate more greens into your diet (or your family’s!), this pizza is your answer. The flavors meld so harmoniously that even the most skeptical vegetable eaters will be asking for another slice.

Essential Ingredients for Your Brussels Sprouts Pizza

Crafting the perfect Brussels sprouts pizza begins with selecting high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the unique and irresistible flavor profile of this dish.

• Pizza Dough: The foundation of any great pizza! For ultimate convenience and speed, I highly recommend using store-bought pizza dough. My go-to options are typically found in the refrigerated section at Trader Joe’s or the frozen section at Whole Foods. If using frozen dough, remember to thaw it completely before use to ensure it’s pliable and easy to work with. Alternatively, feel free to use your favorite homemade pizza dough recipe if you have one.
• Fresh Brussels Sprouts: The star of our show! Always opt for fresh Brussels sprouts over frozen ones for superior flavor and texture. When roasted, fresh sprouts achieve a beautiful caramelization and a tender-crisp texture that simply can’t be replicated with frozen varieties. Trim the ends and slice them thinly for even cooking and optimal crispiness.
• A Trio of Cheeses (Havarti, Parmesan, Burrata): This pizza boasts a decadent three-cheese blend!
  • Havarti: Known for its buttery flavor and excellent melting properties. If you can’t find Havarti, Munster cheese makes a wonderful substitute, offering a similar mild taste and smooth melt.
  • Parmesan: Adds a sharp, salty, and nutty depth of flavor. Freshly shredded Parmesan is always best. A good substitute for shredded Parmesan would be low-moisture, part-skim shredded mozzarella for a more classic pizza cheese experience, though the flavor profile will differ.
  • Burrata: The crowning glory! This Italian cheese consists of an outer shell of solid mozzarella, filled with stracciatella and cream, giving it a soft, almost liquid center. Its creamy, milky richness is unparalleled when it gently melts over the hot pizza. If burrata is unavailable, fresh mozzarella, especially torn into smaller pieces, can be a decent alternative, though it won’t offer the same luscious creaminess.
• Pancetta: These small, thinly sliced cubes of cured pork belly provide an incredible salty, savory depth and a delightful crispiness when cooked. It’s an optional but highly recommended addition that elevates the pizza to a gourmet level. If you wish to keep this pizza meatless, simply omit the pancetta. For a similar savory, crispy element, bacon bits can also be used as a substitute.
• Red Onion: Sliced thinly, red onion adds a touch of sharpness that mellows and sweetens beautifully as it bakes, providing a wonderful contrast to the other rich ingredients.
• Olive Oil & Seasonings: A drizzle of good quality olive oil forms the base, while red pepper flakes provide a gentle warmth, oregano adds an aromatic, herbaceous note, and salt balances all the flavors.

Crafting Your Brussels Sprouts Pizza: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making this incredible Brussels Sprouts Pizza is a straightforward process, designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort. Follow these simple steps for a perfect pie every time:

1. Prepare Your Workspace and Dough: Begin by preheating your oven to a blazing 425°F (220°C). Lightly flour a clean work surface, such as a Silpat mat or a countertop, to prevent sticking. Using a rolling pin or your hands, gently stretch and roll out your pizza dough to your desired thickness and shape. Carefully transfer the rolled dough onto a baking sheet or a preheated pizza stone.
2. Lay the Flavor Foundation: Drizzle approximately 2 teaspoons of olive oil evenly over the surface of the pizza dough. Then, sprinkle the red pepper flakes, oregano, and salt over the oiled crust. This ensures that every bite is seasoned from the very bottom up.
3. Layer the Toppings with Care: Now for the fun part – building your pizza! Evenly distribute the havarti and shredded Parmesan cheese over the seasoned dough. Next, scatter the thinly sliced fresh Brussels sprouts, red onion, and pancetta (if using) across the cheese layer. Finish with another light drizzle of the remaining olive oil over the toppings. This helps the vegetables crisp and caramelize beautifully.
4. 
5. Bake to Golden Perfection: Place your loaded pizza into the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust achieves a beautiful golden brown on the edges and the Brussels sprouts are tender-crisp and lightly caramelized. Keep an eye on it, as oven temperatures can vary.
6. The Burrata Finale: Once the pizza is out of the oven, immediately place the ball of burrata cheese on top. You can leave it whole or gently tear it into smaller pieces for faster melting. Let the residual heat from the pizza work its magic for about 5 minutes, allowing the burrata to soften and become wonderfully gooey and creamy.
7. Garnish, Slice, and Savor: For an optional touch of freshness and color, sprinkle some microgreens over the finished pizza. Slice into 8 generous pieces and serve immediately. Enjoy the harmonious blend of flavors and textures in every glorious bite!

Expert Tips for a Flawless Brussels Sprouts Pizza

Achieving pizza perfection is easier than you think with these handy tips and tricks:

Optimizing Your Pizza Dough Experience

• Embrace Store-Bought Dough: Seriously, don’t overthink it! While homemade pizza dough is fantastic, store-bought varieties are a game-changer for quick meals. My personal favorites come from the refrigerated section at Trader Joe’s or the frozen section at Whole Foods. Just ensure frozen dough is fully thawed to room temperature before rolling for easier handling.
• Prevent Sticking with a Silpat Mat: This is my secret weapon! Rolling out dough on a lightly floured Silpat mat (or parchment paper) prevents it from sticking to your counter or rolling pin, making the transfer to your baking sheet or pizza stone a breeze.
• Achieve a Golden Crust: If your pizza crust isn’t browning as quickly as you’d like, gently remove the pizza from the oven halfway through baking and brush the exposed crust with a little extra virgin olive oil. This simple trick helps speed up the browning process and contributes to a beautifully crisp edge.

Brussels Sprouts Perfection

• Slice Thin for Even Cooking: To ensure your Brussels sprouts cook through and achieve that desirable tender-crisp texture, make sure to slice them thinly. This allows for better surface area for caramelization and even cooking.
• Don’t Overcrowd: When topping your pizza, avoid piling on too many Brussels sprouts. Overcrowding can lead to steaming instead of roasting, resulting in soggy sprouts rather than crispy, caramelized ones.

Customization and Dietary Considerations

• Pancetta: Your Choice! Absolutely not required! If you prefer a vegetarian pizza, simply omit the pancetta. You can also experiment with a plant-based meat substitute for a savory kick without the meat. For a different meat option, crispy bacon bits also work wonderfully.
• Cheese Swap Ideas: While the Havarti, Parmesan, and Burrata combination is divine, feel free to experiment. As mentioned in the ingredient notes, Munster can replace Havarti, and fresh mozzarella can substitute Burrata. Explore other melty cheeses like fontina or smoked gouda for different flavor dimensions.
• Add a Drizzle: For an extra layer of gourmet flavor, consider drizzling a balsamic glaze or hot honey over the pizza once it comes out of the oven and before adding the burrata. The sweet and tangy notes perfectly complement the savory toppings.

Serving and Storage

• Serve Immediately: This pizza is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven when the crust is crisp, the cheese is gooey, and the sprouts are perfectly caramelized.
• Leftovers: Store any leftover slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through and crispy again. The microwave is not recommended for reheating pizza as it can make the crust soggy.

More Irresistible Pizza Creations

If you loved this Brussels Sprouts Pizza, you’re sure to enjoy exploring these other unique and flavorful pizza recipes:

• Kale Pesto Pizza
• The Best Vegan Pizza
• Chorizo Mango Pizza

If you tried this incredible recipe, we’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment and a star rating below to share your experience. Thank you!

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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UPDATE NOTE: This post was originally published in September 2018. It was updated with new text and photos in January 2021 to provide an even more comprehensive and delightful culinary guide.