Description
This delightful asparagus, bacon, and feta pizza combines a creamy garlic-Parmesan sauce with crispy bacon, tender sautéed asparagus, and melty mozzarella topped with tangy feta cheese. Perfectly baked on a lightly pre-baked pizza dough base, this recipe yields two small pizzas bursting with savory flavors and textures, ideal for a satisfying meal any time.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Dough
- 1 batch pizza dough (enough to make 2 small pizzas)
Bacon and Vegetables
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 small bunch asparagus
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
Cheese and Toppings
- 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided
- 4 ounces crumbled feta, divided
Instructions
- Make the Sauce: Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add cream cheese and garlic powder, stirring continuously with a wire whisk until smooth. Slowly add milk a little at a time, whisking well to remove lumps. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and black pepper. Remove from heat when the sauce reaches a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Prepare the Bacon: Place bacon slices in the freezer for 10 minutes to firm up for easier slicing. Chop bacon into bite-sized pieces and fry in a skillet until mostly crispy but not overdone, as it will continue cooking in the oven. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Discard all but about one tablespoon of bacon grease from the skillet.
- Sauté the Asparagus: Trim off the woody ends of the asparagus and cut off the heads. Slice each spear lengthwise in half, then chop into 1 to 2 inch pieces. Add the asparagus pieces to the reserved bacon grease in the skillet and sauté for 2 minutes, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Remove promptly to a plate or bowl to prevent overcooking.
- Assemble and Bake the Pizza: Roll out half the pizza dough on a baking surface. Optionally brush with olive oil and bake at 450°F for 1 minute to firm the crust slightly. Spread half of the prepared sauce evenly over the dough, then sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Distribute half of the sautéed asparagus and bacon pieces over the cheese. Finally, sprinkle half the crumbled feta on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 450°F for 8-10 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese melted. Repeat the process with the second half of the dough and remaining ingredients to make a second pizza.
Notes
- Freezing the bacon before slicing helps achieve cleaner, bite-sized pieces and easier handling.
- Pre-baking the pizza dough briefly firms it up, preventing it from becoming soggy under the sauce and toppings.
- Sautéing asparagus in bacon grease adds extra flavor to the vegetable.
- Keep an eye on the bacon during frying to avoid burning, as it will finish cooking in the oven.
- Adjust salt and pepper seasoning in asparagus sauté to taste based on bacon saltiness.
