So naturally, as I do, I set out to create my own more budget-friendly version and now I’m so excited to share it with you because it’s my everything right now. This Grain-free Pizza with Sausage and Roasted Squash combines some of my MOST favorite foods and flavors that honor the harvest season:
Delicata squashShallotsOnionsRed peppersSun dried tomatoesItalian sausageGoat cheeseFresh basil
Seriously, to say that I’m obsessed with this pizza right now would not be over exaggerating. I think you’ll see why as we build this dream pizza together. Now just to warn you, this isn’t a 20-minute meal. It’s one of those meals you make for the love of cooking. Though I’ve made every attempt to streamline the process unless you done this a few times it’s going to take a little time so choose your day wisely. I like to save more labor-intense meals for Friday or Saturday nights when I don’t have to rush to get the kids to bed or better yet, when I can invite a few friends over to lend a hand and share a glass of wine. Ready? Let’s do this! Start with a killer crust We all have our opinions about crust – thick or thin? Chewy or crispy? – but since this is my dream pizza I rolled the crust out really thin but if you like your crust thicker, then by all means, make it the thick crust of your dreams. The crust is often the hardest part of the pizza, right? Most people tell me that they don’t make pizza at home because the crust is too fussy or takes too much time. Well, not anymore. Our friends at Simple Mills have come up with the BEST pizza dough mix I’ve ever tried (and I’ve tried a lot of them). It’s free of gluten, grains, dairy, corn, eggs and soy and there’s no need to mess with yeast and raising the dough. Just add water, apple cider vinegar and olive oil (and maybe a sprinkle or two of dried Italian Seasoning to make it extra fancy) then press it into a circle on a baking sheet and bake it for a few minutes while you prep the toppings. Did you know that Simple Mills has an entire line of mixes and ready-to-eat crackers and cookies that are 100% free of gluten, grains, dairy, soy, corn, additives and preservatives? Check ’em out! They’re one of my go-to’s for making life simpler.
Slather on the sauce
Ok, here’s where things get a little less conventional. Normally I’d whip up a simple tomato-based pizza sauce (like the one in this recipe) to slather all over this gorgeous, perfectly crisp-tender crust but I just felt this one needed something more. Something sweet and savory and just like the sauce that used to grace the top of my favorite gluten-filled Amy’s Kitchen Roasted Vegetable frozen pizza that I’ve enjoyed much too often back in my vegan days. This sauce starts with caramelized onions, red pepper and garlic. I know it doesn’t seem like much of a sauce but once you add a generous splash of balsamic vinegar and puree it you’re going to want to spread it on everything or just eat it with a spoon like I’m prone to doing.
Then add the toppings
Here’s there the magic really happens. The world is your topping oyster when you make your pizza at home. However, since this is my dream pizza I chose seasonal vegetables like delicata squash and shallots, Italian sausage and sun-dried tomatoes come together to give you a little of everything – salty, sweet, earthy and savory. Now, you could stop right here and have a perfectly fabulous pizza but I’ll encourage you to keep going and go all out. A little sprinkle of soft goat cheese is fabulous here and adds a creamy element to our already salty, sweet, earthy and savory masterpiece. Feta or parmesan would also be nice here too. Or try a non-dairy soft ‘cheese’ like Kite Hill Artisan Almond Milk Soft Cheese if you don’t tolerate diary and want to add that creamy element. Then get really crazy and sprinkle it all with fresh basil. Are you feelin’ it yet? As I’m writing this I’m actually making a grocery list in my head right now of what I need to make this pizza again for the third time in 2 weeks. Totally not kidding. Grain-free Pizza with Sausage and Roasted Squash is definitely on repeat over here! And then, the crowing glory of this dream pie: a big handful of peppery arugula tossed with EVOO and balsamic plopped right on top. It’s like having pizza and salad in one convenient bite.
Oh yeahhhhhhhhh! It’s time for a pizza night at home with our Grain-free Pizza with Sausage and Roasted Squash
Pin now, make later! This post was made possible by our friends at Simple Mills. Though we received compensation for this post, the opinions expressed here are – as always -100% our own. Thank you for supporting the great companies we work with thereby allowing us to continue creating great recipes and content for you. This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.
