Description
This Asparagus, Bacon, & Feta Pizza recipe combines a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce with crispy bacon, tender asparagus, and a blend of mozzarella and feta cheeses on homemade pizza dough. It’s a delicious and elegant pizza perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner or a casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Dough
- 1 batch pizza dough (enough to make 2 small pizzas)
Toppings
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 small bunch asparagus
- 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 4 ounces crumbled feta cheese, divided
Sauce
- 1/4 cup butter
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup milk
- 3 ounces grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add cream cheese and garlic powder, whisking continuously until the mixture becomes smooth. Gradually whisk in the milk a little at a time to avoid lumps. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and ground black pepper. Remove from heat once the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Cook the Bacon: Place the bacon in the freezer for 10 minutes to firm it up for easy slicing. Chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces. Fry the bacon pieces in a pan until mostly crispy but not overcooked, as they will bake in the oven. Use a slotted spoon to remove bacon and set aside. Reserve about a tablespoon of the bacon grease and discard the rest.
- Sauté the Asparagus: Snap off the woody ends of the asparagus and cut off the heads. Slice each spear lengthwise in half, then chop into 1-2 inch pieces. Add the asparagus pieces to the reserved bacon grease in the pan and sauté for 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat promptly and transfer to a plate or bowl to prevent overcooking.
- Prepare and Bake the Pizza: Roll out half of the pizza dough into the desired shape. Optionally, brush dough lightly with olive oil and pre-bake in the oven at 450°F (232°C) for 1 minute to firm it up. Spread half of the prepared sauce evenly over the dough. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese atop the sauce. Evenly distribute half of the sautéed asparagus, half the cooked bacon, and half of the crumbled feta cheese. Bake pizza at 450°F for 8-10 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly. Repeat the process with the remaining dough and ingredients.
Notes
- Chilling bacon before cutting helps achieve neat, bite-sized pieces.
- Pre-baking the pizza dough briefly creates a sturdier base that holds toppings better.
- Be careful not to overcook the bacon or asparagus during sautéing since they will continue cooking in the oven.
- Use fresh asparagus for the best texture and flavor.
- You can substitute part of the mozzarella with other cheeses like provolone if desired.
