Goat Cheese Pizza

Prep: 5 mins

Cook: 12 mins

Total: 17 mins

Servings: 8 servings

Yield: 1 12-inch pizza

Who says pizza has to be a heavy dish loaded with tomato sauce, a thick layer of mozzarella cheese, and various meat toppings? Warm spring weather is actually the perfect time to make pizza that is loaded with fresh vegetables.

Pizza dough—whether you make your own or buy—or opt for white, whole wheat or even cauliflower crust, is a great vehicle for as many different toppings as your imagination can conjure up. Let a trip to your local farmer’s market dictate the toppings when you see what is available in season—that way you will be getting the freshest possible produce.

Of course, it wouldn’t be pizza (or nearly as delicious) without lots of glorious cheese. But instead of the standard mozzarella or red sauce, try mixing it up with a layer of fresh goat cheese. The goat cheese is softened and mixed with seasonings before being spread out on the dough. Add a layer of nutty fontina and a bit of salty Parmesan or pecorino Romano. Then, when the pizza has cooked, top it with some fresh crisp greens for the perfect bite.

Ingredients

• 1 (10- to 12-ounce) ball pizza dough, store-bought or homemade

• 4 ounces goat cheese, at room temperature

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 tablespoon milk, half-and-half, or cream

• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1/8 teaspoon salt

• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1 cup diced asparagus spears

• 1 cup peas

• 1/2 cup shredded fontina cheese

• 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

• 1/2 cup pea shoots, or other spring microgreens

• 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes, optional

Steps to Make It

1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 500 F.

2. On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough to about a 12-inch round. You can also stretch it using your hands into a circle or any other shape you like.

3. Once rolled out, transfer the dough to a baking sheet or a pizza stone if you have one.

4. In a small bowl, combine the goat cheese, olive oil, milk or cream, dried oregano, salt, and ground black pepper. Mix until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined, then spread the goat cheese mixture on the rolled out pizza crust.

5. Trim off the woody ends of your asparagus before dicing. Spread the diced asparagus and fresh peas out over the goat cheese. Top with the shredded fontina cheese before placing it in the oven.

6. Reduce the oven temperature to 475 F and bake for approximately 12 minutes or until the edges of the crust are lightly golden brown and the fontina cheese has melted. Top with the Parmesan cheese, pea shoots, or your favorite springtime microgreens, and a sprinkling of the crushed red pepper flakes, if using.