Roasted Pumpkin And Sausage Ricotta Pizza Recipe

Taylor Murray

November 14, 2023 at 6:45 AM·7 min read

Cooked pumpkin and sausage pizza - Taylor Murray/Tasting Table

Making pizza at home is an excellent opportunity to play with the bountiful selection of your favorite seasonal vegetables that each time of year brings. In fall, the harvest brings vegetables that boast a variety of warm, earthy flavors and textures that can transform a simple pizza into a celebration of the season. By incorporating these ingredients, you not only get to experience the peak of autumn's produce but also support local agriculture and enjoy a freshness that can't be found in out-of-season veggies.

This roasted pumpkin and sausage pizza brought to us by food developer Taylor Murray is the epitome of autumn on a plate. Begin by roasting sweet pumpkin until it's just caramelized and tender, which concentrates its flavor and adds a delightful chew. Pairing the velvety pumpkin with savory Italian sausage and a creamy ricotta base creates the perfect balance of textures for a fall dinner. It's not just a meal, it's a way to savor the full essence of the season, with each bite bringing together autumn's signature warmth and spice.

Gather The Ingredients For Pumpkin And Sausage Ricotta Pizza

Ingredients for pumpkin and sausage pasta - Taylor Murray/Tasting Table

To make pizza you have to start with a good dough. Whether you buy it pre-made from a store or make a batch yourself, shoot for a ball roughly 16 ounces in weight. The roasted pumpkin that goes on top should be cut into chunks and will be seasoned with olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme before roasting. The sausage should be uncased, mild Italian sausage, though a hot or spicy sausage would also work as well. The base of the pie is a whole milk ricotta mixture flavored with raw garlic and topped with low-moisture mozzarella. Finally, a few leaves of fresh sage serve as the final garnish to this fall favorite.

Step 1: Preheat The Oven

Hand turning oven dial - Taylor Murray/Tasting Table

Preheat your oven to 400 F.

Step 2: Prepare The Squash

Raw pumpkin on sheet tray - Taylor Murray/Tasting Table

Toss the pumpkin pieces with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme.

Step 3: Roast The Pumpkin

Roasted pumpkin on sheet tray - Taylor Murray/Tasting Table

Spread the pumpkin out on a baking sheet and roast for about 25-30 minutes, or until the pumpkin is tender and lightly browned.

Step 4: Cook The Sausage

Raw sausage on sheet tray - Taylor Murray/Tasting Table

Break up sausage, spread out on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake until sausage is lightly browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes.

Step 5: Turn Up The Oven

Increase the oven temperature to 475 F or prepare a pizza oven.

Step 6: Stretch The Dough

Hand stretched raw pizza dough - Taylor Murray/Tasting Table

Stretch or roll out the dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness.

Step 7: Prepare The Ricotta Mixture

Bowl with ricotta and garlic - Taylor Murray/Tasting Table

In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well.

Step 8: Brush The Dough

Pizza dough with olive oil - Taylor Murray/Tasting Table

Brush the pizza dough all over with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.

Step 9: Add Mozzarella To The Dough

Scattered mozzarella cheese on dough - Taylor Murray/Tasting Table

Scatter the mozzarella evenly over the pizza dough.

Step 10: Add The Ricotta

Ricotta on mozzarella pizza dough - Taylor Murray/Tasting Table

Dot the ricotta-garlic mixture over the top of the mozzarella.

Step 11: Add The Roasted Pumpkin

Roasted pumpkin on cheese pizza - Taylor Murray/Tasting Table

Spread the roasted pumpkin pieces evenly over the ricotta layer.

Step 12: Add The Sausage

Cooked sausage on cheese pizza - Taylor Murray/Tasting Table

Sprinkle the cooked sausage over the pumpkin.

Step 13: Cook The Pizza

Cooked sausage and pumpkin pizza - Taylor Murray/Tasting Table

Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.

Step 14: Serve The Pizza

Adding sage leaves to pizza - Taylor Murray/Tasting Table

Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Sprinkle with sage leaves. Slice and serve hot.

Can I Use Canned Pumpkin For The Roasted Pumpkin And Sausage Ricotta Pizza?

Bowl of fresh cut pumpkin - Taylor Murray/Tasting Table

While fresh roasted pumpkin is recommended for its depth of flavor and texture, you can use canned pumpkin as a time-saving alternative. However, it's important to note that canned pumpkin puree will have a different moisture content and will be much smoother than freshly roasted cubes of pumpkin. To get a similar effect, spread the puree in a thin layer over your pizza crust before adding the toppings. If using canned, opt for pure pumpkin rather than pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugars and spices. Remember to adjust the seasoning since canned pumpkin isn't usually seasoned, whereas you would season fresh pumpkin while roasting.

If you don't want to use canned pumpkin, any kind of cubed squash can be substituted here, from Delicata to butternut. Not a squash fan? Try a different late-fall vegetable, like roasted mushrooms, sauteed peppers, or even roasted Brussels sprouts.

What Are Some Secrets To Making Pizza At Home?

Slice of pumpkin sausage pizza - Taylor Murray/Tasting Table

Homemade pizza can be an art form, and a few key tips can elevate your pizza game to rival your local pizzeria's offerings. One of the most crucial factors is the heat at which you cook the pizza: Your oven should be as hot as possible. Most commercial pizza ovens reach temperatures well above the maximum on a home oven, but you can still achieve great results. Preheat your oven to 450 F or higher for at least an hour before baking with a pizza stone or steel inside. Be careful not to burn yourself, but this high heat is crucial for developing the classic pizza crust.

This setup mimics the heat distribution of a pizza oven, allowing for a crispy crust with a chewy interior. Don't have a stone? Try using a rimmed baking sheet turned upside down. You'll still want to preheat it so that it can properly cook the bottom of the pizza.