Broccoli Pizza Recipe

Name: Broccoli Pizza Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 12 ” Pizza Dough; 1 Cup Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese; ¼ Cup Shredded Pecorino Romano Cheese; ¼ Teaspoon Garlic Powder; ½ Teaspoon Italian Seasoning; ¼ Teaspoon Salt; 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil; 1 Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese; 2 Cups Broccoli Florets (Chopped into 1/2” pieces); Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional for serving)

Recipe Pin

My mother baked the most delicious broccoli pizza covered with crispy broccoli florets and cheese on top of a crispy crust. After all these years, now that I’m a mother, I’ve added this to my menu so my kids can savor it, too.

I love that my kids also enjoy this delightful pizza, which is very nutritious and I am very excited to share the same recipe with all of you. The combination of pecorino romano and mozzarella cheese makes it even more delectable.

What’s even better is that this broccoli pizza is super easy to make. At times, I make the dough from scratch, but when I’m in a hurry, I use a pre-made pizza base.

What's In The Post

Equipments Required

Baking Tray: I use a baking tray to flatten the pizza dough and bake them in it.
Medium-Sized Bowl: To mix all the ingredients, I use a medium-sized glass bowl.
Sharp Knife: To cut the broccoli evenly, I use a sharp knife.
Chopping Board: I use a wooden chopping board to cut the broccoli florets. However, you can use a plastic or glass chopping board, depending on your preferences.
Small Bowls: I use small bowls to assemble all the ingredients as a part of my prep before starting with the recipe.
Box Grater: You will need a grater to grate the cheese.
An Oven: You will need an oven to bake this pizza.

Broccoli Pizza Ingredients and Substitutions

Note: The ingredients used in this recipe will help you make 4 servings.

12” Pizza Dough: For this recipe, you can also use homemade dough or a store-bought pizza dough or base.
1 Cup Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese: Cottage cheese or cream cheese are a few of the alternatives that can also be used in this recipe.
1/4 Cup Shredded Pecorino Romano Cheese: I sometimes use parmesan instead of pecorino. You can also use cheddar or gouda cheese.
1/4 Teaspoon Garlic Powder: You can also use fresh garlic in this recipe.
1/2 Teaspoon Italian Seasoning: I sometimes substitute this with oregano in my pizza.
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil: Canola or vegetable oil can also be used.
1 Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: You can use gruyere or Swiss cheese as alternatives.
2 Cups Broccoli Florets, Chopped into 1/2” pieces: Cauliflowers or mushrooms can be the best substitutes for broccoli in this recipe.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional for serving): You can also use hot paprika instead.

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cook Time	Total Time
15 minutes	20 minutes	35 minutes

How to Make Broccoli Pizza At Home

Step 1

Split the dough into two parts and place it on the baking tray that has been greased with olive oil with 2 inches of space between both the dough.

Step 2

Stretch the dough on the greased baking tray.

Step 3

Meanwhile, add ricotta, salt and Italian seasoning, pecorino romano cheese and garlic powder to a small bowl and mix all the ingredients nicely.

Step 4

Spread the ricotta mixture evenly on top of both the stretched dough.

Step 5

Cover the ricotta mixture with the grated mozzarella cheese on top.

Step 6

Top the dough with broccoli florets in a single layer.

Step 7

Bake the broccoli pizza for 17-20 minutes in a preheated oven to 500 degrees until the crust is golden brown.

Step 8

Serve hot and enjoy.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

I always ensure the oven is fully preheated before I put in the pizza for baking. This gives me fully baked broccoli, the crispiest pizza crust, and perfectly blended cheese on top.
I always use the best quality cheese and pizza dough to get the best taste of pizza.
Using freshly grated cheese in a pizza is the key to perfect melted cheese. I don’t prefer pre-grated cheese, as it contains anti-caking agents that prevent the cheese from clumping, which can alter the taste and texture.
If you want your broccoli florets to be nicely cooked and crispy, then make sure that you cut them evenly.
For crispier broccoli, turn the oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes of baking.
I also pat dry the broccoli florets to minimize the excess moisture.
Sometimes, I add other vegetables and meat to make it healthier.
I have also tried experimenting with different cheeses, like fontina or smoked gouda, to create a unique flavor profile for my pizza.
You can also give a gourmet touch to this pizza by sprinkling some sea salt or truffle salt on the baked pizza.
I also like to brush the crust with garlic-infused olive oil before baking for added flavor.

FAQs About Broccoli Pizza Recipe

Why is this pizza base tough and dense?

Using too much flour, under/over proofing, over-kneading, and insufficient yeast are some of the reasons that make your pizza dough dense and tough.

Why does the pizza dough taste raw after being baked?

You need to give the pizza enough time to bake thoroughly. If you take it out as soon as the cheese melts without checking the crust, you’ll bite into raw dough.

Why is the broccoli pizza base soggy?

Your pizza base becomes soggy because the steam from the base can’t escape. The steam condenses on your crispy surface, turning it wet and soggy. You can prevent this using a pizza stone or a pan with holes to get a crispy pizza crust.

Why is this pizza base not holding up with the toppings?

This happens when you stretch the pizza dough too thin. Try maintaining an even thickness throughout while stretching the dough. You can leave the edges of the base slightly thicker for better holding of the toppings.

Why has this pizza been cooked unevenly?

If your broccoli pizza is cooked unevenly, it means that the oven temperature was not correct or it was not placed in the center of the wrack.

Why is your pizza having burnt spots on it?

These burnt spots are called “leopording” or “charring”.When the soft dough hits the hot oven, the edges puff up. The crust becomes crispy and charred on the bottom. This develops burnt spots on the pizza.

Can the pizza dough be prepared ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough for not just one but up to 3 days in advance.

How can I prevent the pizza crust from sticking to the baking tray?

I usually coat the bottom side of the pizza with flour by lightly tossing it in a bowl and then pushing the dough into a flat disk.You can also lightly spray the tray with cooking oil or line it with parchment paper.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

A pizza with broccoli as topping can be considered a meal with vitamins and loads of nutrients. But the dough used in pizza and other ingredients like cheese are not healthy options. So, I would suggest having it in moderation.

Calories	330 Kcal
Total Fat	13.8g
Cholesterol	38 mg
Sodium	751.8 mg
Total Carbohydrates	30.6 g
Dietary Fiber	3.3 g
Sugars	4.1 g
Protein	22.5 g
Vitamin A	16%
Vitamin C	46%

This recipe is absolutely suitable for people who are following a keto-diet.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Vegan Diet: People with a vegan diet can substitute pecorino romano cheese for vegan gouda, parmesan, or cheddar cheese.
Dairy-Free Diet: You can make a dairy-free version of this pizza recipe without using cheese.
Gluten-Free Diet: I have tried making pizza dough using almond flour, which is absolutely gluten-free, combining it with oil, sugar, and salt. The pizza was just as amazing as the original one.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing

Refrigerator: I wrap the pizza leftovers in foil and place them in an airtight container before keeping them in the refrigerator. You can also plastic wrap them or stack them in foil paper tightly and then refrigerate it. This way, the pizza will last for about four days.
Freezer: Sometimes, I prefer freezing pizza when I don’t plan on eating pizza for the next few days. I wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container before freezing it. This way, it can last for about two months.

Reheating

Oven: I usually reheat the pizza in an oven by placing it on a hot baking sheet and preheating the oven to 350 degrees F for 10 – 15 minutes.
Microwave: You can reheat the pizza in 90-second intervals, checking in between, until it is warm through.
Air Fryer: I place pizza slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer and air fry them at 350° for the shortest cooking time possible to keep the pizza hot.
Pan: Pizzas can also be reheated in a pan. I brush some butter on the pan and place the slices, making sure not to let them stick.I heat them over medium heat until they are heated through.

What To Serve With This Recipe

While I enjoy this pizza on its own, my children love having it with some Cajun Sauce and Ketchup. You can also try this pizza with other dips like onion , jalapeno or a cheese dip to enhance the taste of your pizza even more.

Pizzas are a versatile Italian dish that pair well with a lot of other dishes too.

You can also serve them with a dip of your choice, some Chicken Salad on the side, garlic bread, French Fries, Mashed Potatoes or any kind of drink.