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.

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, a store-bought pizza dough, or a pizza 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 the dough.

Step 2

Stretch the dough on the greased baking tray.

Step 3

Meanwhile, add ricotta, salt, 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 putting the pizza in to bake. 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 achieve the best pizza taste.
Using freshly grated cheese on a pizza is key to perfectly melted cheese. I don’t prefer pre-grated cheese, as it contains anti-caking agents that prevent clumping, which can alter its 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 the broccoli florets dry to minimize excess moisture.
Sometimes, I add other vegetables and meat to make it healthier.
I have also experimented with different cheeses, such as fontina or smoked Gouda, to create a unique flavor profile for my pizza.
You can also give this pizza a gourmet touch by sprinkling sea salt or truffle salt on it after baking.
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 a topping can be considered a meal rich in vitamins and other 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 suitable for people following a keto diet.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Vegan Diet: People following a vegan diet can substitute pecorino romano for vegan gouda, parmesan, or cheddar.
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 with almond flour, which is naturally gluten-free, and have combined 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, then place them in an airtight container before refrigerating. You can also wrap them in plastic wrap or tightly stack them in foil paper, then refrigerate them. This way, the pizza will last for about four days.
Freezer: Sometimes I prefer freezing pizza when I don’t plan to eat it 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 the 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 onto the pan and place the slices, making sure they don’t 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 its flavor even more.

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.

Printable Version

More Broccoli Recipes That You Can Try

Conclusion

Make sure to try this homemade pizza and have a delightful experience with your family and loved ones.

Also, please share your experience and any tweaks you’ve added to the recipe in the comment section below. Have a happy pizza night.

Flavourful Broccoli Pizza Recipe

Equipments Required

Broccoli Pizza Ingredients and Substitutions

Preparation And Cooking Time