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- 1 pre-made pizza dough (store-bought or homemade) - 2 large onions, thinly sliced - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar - 4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme) - Salt and pepper to taste The base of this pizza is the dough. You can use store-bought dough or make your own. Then, the caramelized onions are the star. Their sweet and rich taste shines through. Use two large onions for the best flavor. Olive oil helps cook the onions until they are golden. Balsamic vinegar adds a tangy twist, making the onions even more special. Goat cheese provides a creamy texture. It pairs well with the caramelized onions. Shredded mozzarella adds a nice stretch and melts beautifully. Lastly, fresh thyme gives a lovely herbal note. - Fresh arugula for garnish (optional) Adding fresh arugula on top of the baked pizza adds color and freshness. It gives a nice peppery bite. You can also drizzle some extra balsamic glaze for a sweet finish. - Large skillet for caramelizing onions - Pizza peel or baking sheet - Parchment paper (if using a baking sheet) - Rolling pin for dough - Oven for baking pizza A large skillet helps you cook the onions evenly. A pizza peel makes it easy to transfer the pizza. If you don’t have one, a baking sheet works too. Using parchment paper helps with easy cleanup. A rolling pin is handy for shaping the dough perfectly. Make sure your oven is hot enough for a crispy crust! {{ingredient_image_1}} First, set your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it inside. This helps the crust get crispy. Next, take a large skillet and heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add 2 large, thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Stir the onions often. Cook for 15-20 minutes. You want them soft and golden brown. Add 1 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar and cook for another 2 minutes. Then, remove them from heat. Set them aside for later. Now, let’s prepare the pizza dough. If you use store-bought dough, follow the package instructions. If you make it from scratch, roll it out on a floured surface. Aim for about ¼ inch thick. You can shape it round or rectangular, depending on your preference. Time to build your pizza! Move the rolled dough onto a pizza peel or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread the caramelized onions evenly over the dough. Then, sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Crumble 4 ounces of goat cheese over the mozzarella. Finally, add 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme leaves, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Carefully slide your pizza onto the hot pizza stone or place the baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes. You want the crust golden and the cheese melted and bubbling. After baking, take the pizza out of the oven. Let it cool for a couple of minutes. If you’d like, add some fresh arugula on top for a nice touch. Slice the pizza and serve it warm. Enjoy every bite! To get sweet and rich caramelized onions, heat olive oil in a skillet. Use medium heat and add thinly sliced onions with a pinch of salt. Stir often for about 15 to 20 minutes. You want them soft and golden brown. Near the end, add balsamic vinegar for extra flavor. This step makes your pizza stand out. For a great crust, you can use store-bought or homemade dough. Store-bought is quick and easy. Just follow the package instructions. If you make your own, make sure it’s soft and stretchy. Roll it out to about ¼ inch thick. This gives you a nice base for your toppings. Goat cheese is perfect for this pizza. Its tangy taste balances the sweet onions. You can also use mozzarella for creaminess. Mixing both cheeses creates a delicious blend. Feel free to try other cheeses like feta or blue cheese if you want to experiment. Adding herbs makes your pizza pop with flavor. Fresh thyme works well with goat cheese. If you don’t have fresh, dried thyme is fine too. You can also sprinkle in some crushed red pepper for heat. A little salt and pepper will enhance all the flavors, making each bite enjoyable. Pro Tips Use High Heat for Caramelization: Cooking the onions over medium-high heat can help achieve a deeper caramelization and richer flavor, but watch closely to avoid burning. Experiment with Cheese: Feel free to mix different types of cheese such as feta or fontina alongside the goat cheese for a more complex flavor profile. Fresh Herbs for Extra Flavor: Adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano just before serving can elevate the flavor and add a fresh touch. Let the Pizza Rest: Allowing the pizza to cool for a few minutes before slicing will help the cheese set and make for cleaner cuts. {{image_2}} You can swap goat cheese for other tasty cheeses. Try feta for a salty kick. Mozzarella adds creaminess. For a sharp taste, use aged cheddar. You could even mix cheeses for depth. Each choice gives a unique flavor to the pizza. Want to boost the nutrition? Add proteins like chicken or sausage. Cook them first, then layer them on the pizza. For a veggie option, add bell peppers or mushrooms. Spinach or artichokes also work well. These additions make the pizza heartier and more filling. To make this pizza vegan, use vegan cheese. There are great options available now. For gluten-free, use a gluten-free pizza dough. Check labels to ensure it fits your diet. You can still enjoy the flavors without dairy or gluten. Store leftover pizza in an airtight container. Make sure it cools to room temp first. Place a piece of parchment paper between layers if stacking. This keeps the crust from getting soggy. You can keep it in the fridge for about 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing. To reheat, the oven is your best friend. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the pizza directly on the rack or on a baking sheet. Heat for about 10 minutes. This way, the crust stays crisp. You can also use a skillet. Heat it on medium-low, cover it, and warm for 5-7 minutes. This method keeps the cheese melty and the crust nice. If you want to freeze pizza, use the following steps. First, let it cool completely. Wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap. Then, place the slices in a freezer bag or container. Make sure to remove as much air as possible. Label and date the bag. You can freeze it for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight. Then reheat as mentioned above. Yes, you can make homemade pizza dough. Use simple ingredients: flour, water, yeast, and salt. Mix them well and let the dough rise. This takes about one hour. Homemade dough adds a fresh taste to the pizza. You can also control the thickness and flavor. Fresh goat cheese works best for this pizza. It has a creamy texture that melts well. Crumbled goat cheese adds a tangy flavor. You can also use soft goat cheese for a richer taste. Avoid hard goat cheese, as it may be too dry. You can store caramelized onions in the fridge for up to one week. Place them in an airtight container. Make sure they cool first. For longer storage, freeze them for up to three months. When ready to use, thaw and reheat. Yes, you can prepare some parts ahead of time. Caramelize the onions a day before and store them. You can also roll out the dough and keep it in the fridge. Assemble the pizza just before baking for the best taste. In this post, we explored how to make caramelized onion goat cheese pizza, starting with essential ingredients. We walked through each step, from preheating the oven to garnishing your pizza for serving. I shared tips for perfect onions and cheese that pairs well. You learned about variations, like vegan options and how to store leftovers. This pizza recipe is fun and easy. Try it out; I think you’ll love it!

Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Pizza

A delicious pizza topped with caramelized onions, goat cheese, and mozzarella, garnished with fresh arugula.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pre-made pizza dough store-bought or homemade
  • 2 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • 4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • for garnish fresh arugula (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it heats.
  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 15-20 minutes until the onions are soft and golden brown. Stir in the balsamic vinegar and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • If using store-bought dough, follow the package instructions for rolling out. On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into your desired shape (round or rectangular) and about ¼ inch thick.
  • Transfer the rolled dough to a pizza peel or baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Evenly spread the caramelized onions over the dough. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and crumbled goat cheese on top. Finish with the thyme, and season with salt and pepper.
  • Carefully slide the pizza onto the hot pizza stone or place your baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
  • Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven. Allow it to cool for a couple of minutes, then top with fresh arugula if desired.
  • Cut the pizza into slices and serve warm. Enjoy!

Notes

Optional to add fresh arugula for garnish.
Keyword caramelized onions, goat cheese, pizza