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Crisp Brussels sprouts leaves, caramelized onions, parmesan and ricotta cheese, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze are simple, but delicious toppings on this vegetarian pizza!
Happy Friday! Actually, happy pizza Friday! That’s right, today I’ve got a brand new pizza recipe to share with you. This one uses an ingredient that you either love or hate…or should I say, think you hate. Brussels sprouts, B-sprouts, mini cabbages, however you refer to them they are all over the top of this delicious pizza!
So are you a lover or a hater of the B-sprouts? I think most of us, myself included, were haters of the little green things growing up. More than likely it was because they were steamed to death and under seasoned. It’s no wonder we stuck our noses up to them and for some of you, still do. Between the lack of flavor and the not so wonderful smell they produce while they are cooking, many people still want nothing to do with them.
I recently heard that Brussels sprouts are making a huge comeback and becoming the new kale of trendy foods. I totally get it and if you make this Brussels sprouts and ricotta pizza, you’ll get it too! The Brussels sprouts on this pizza are sautèed with caramelized onions, garlic, and a generous amount of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Instead of halving the Brussels sprouts like I might for a side dish, I pulled off all the leaves and sautéed them like you would spinach. This allows them the get soft and slightly wilted, they also turn an amazing shade of green in the process as well.
Since this is a pizza there better darn well be some cheese on it! Instead of mozzarella I topped this pie with parmesan cheese. Be sure to get the good stuff, a.k.a. Parmigiano Reggiano. I know it’s expensive, but you don’t need very much, and the rich, nutty, salty, flavor that it gives the pizza is worth the extra money.
The other cheese topping this Brussels sprouts pizza is one of my favorites, ricotta. I love the way ricotta gets a slight crust on the outside when it bakes in the oven, but still stays smooth and creamy on the inside.
The final component on top of this pizza is a drizzle of balsamic glaze. It adds the perfect amount of sweetness to the pizza and is a great contrast to all the salty flavors going on. Since the pizza is vegetarian, not only can you eat it on pizza Friday, but meatless Monday as well. It’s time to embrace the B-sprouts friends, and let’s start with a slice of this pizza!
More Pizza Recipes
Sausage, Apple, and Thyme Breakfast Pizza
Asparagus, Bacon, and Goat Cheese Pizza
Brussels Sprouts and Ricotta Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 pound whole wheat pizza dough
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 pound brussels sprouts end trimmed and leaves torn off
- 1 yellow onion sliced thin
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup part skim ricotta cheese
- Extra virgin olive oil kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper for topping the pizza dough
- Balsamic glaze for finishing the pizza
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- In a large skillet over medium high heat, heat the tablespoon of olive oil until it's hot.
- Add in the thinly sliced onion and spread out into an even layer.
- Season the onion with salt and pepper.
- Sautè the onion for 5-7 minutes or until soft and caramelized, stirring them every couple minutes.
- Add in the minced garlic and Brussels sprout leaves and sautè another 2-3 minutes or until the leaves have softened.
- Remove the mixture from the heat and set aside.
- Spray a pizza stone or baking sheet with cooking spray and roll out the pizza dough.
- Brush the top of the pizza dough with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Sprinkle 1/4 cup of shredded parmesan cheese on top of the pizza dough.
- Spread the Brussels sprout mixture evenly all over the top of the pizza.
- Sprinkle on the remaining 1/4 cup of shredded parmesan cheese and place dollops of ricotta all over the top of the pizza.
- Bake the pizza on the middle rack of the oven for 12-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden.
- If desired turn the oven to broil for the final couple minutes of cooking to make the Brussels sprouts leaves extra crispy.
- Remove from the oven and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love this recipe! The flavors are great, and I love brussels sprouts! Since I didn’t want to waste the remainder of the sprouts after pulling off the leaves, I threw them in the food processor and made a brussels sprouts hash for dinner the next night.
Thanks Marny and I’m glad you liked the recipe! Great way to use the remaining sprouts too!
At first, this recipe seemed a little too challenging, for this slightly more novice baker. In fact, it made for a mouth-wateringly delicious meal on the first try. Now I am planning on bringing it to the local Elementary March Pot-lunch later this month. – Thanks!
This makes me so happy Taylor! I’m glad you had success making the pizza and enjoyed it as well! :-)
Yum!! I’ve saved this to make soon. I love brussel sprouts! Are you going to BlogHerFood in a few weeks?
Thanks for trying out the pizza Becca, I hope you girls enjoyed it. I’m not going to BlogHer Food this year, I sure wish I was though!
I have never tried pulling the leaves off Brussels, but this seems like the perfect time to try it! Yummy combination.
Thanks Katie! It was my first time pulling off the Brussels sprout leaves and I loved how they softened when they were sautèed and then crisped up in the oven.
Why, oh why did our parents not roast brussel spouts when we were younger–then we would have probably loved them from the start :) Thankful I like them now, because this pizza looks insane!
Exactly Kristen! It’s amazing how roasting changes everything we hated about Brussels sprouts and turns them into something delicious!
Do you know how excited I am that it’s pizza Friday?! I have yet to indulge in brussels sprouts but this pizza looks like the perfect reason to ;)
I’ve been anxiously waiting to dig into Brussels sprouts again and this pizza was the perfect way to start!
Did you have a recipe for mushroom fontina pizza that was similarly easy and delicious? I made one right after this recipe (also amazing), but I can’t find the recipe anymore! Thank you!!
Hi Amy,
I don’t have that pizza recipe, but it sure sounds good! :-)