Creamy Gorgonzola and Pear Pizza

Fall is right around the corner and I’m starting to brainstorm all the fun ways I can use fall produce. Locally-grown pears become available in late August in west Michigan so I was excited to scoop some up earlier this week. This pizza has a layer of blended cottage cheese which provides creaminess and a yummy tang. The combo of pears, red onion, thyme, gorgonzola, honey and crushed red pepper flakes meld together nicely with the cottage cheese making for the perfect bite!

1. Preheat oven to 450.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, dried thyme and 1/4 teaspoon salt, and cook until golden brown, about 5-8 minutes, stirring often. Once golden, remove pan from heat and set aside.

3. Place cottage cheese in a blender with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Blend until smooth and pour into a bowl.

4. Place pizza crust on a cutting board (or other clean work surface). Spread cottage cheese mixture evenly onto the crust. Top with mozzarella, pears, caramelized onion and gorgonzola.

5. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the crust is crunchy and lightly browned. Finish the pizza with honey and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired. Slice and enjoy!

Creamy Gorgonzola and Pear Pizza

Serves 4

All you need:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small red onion, thinly sliced

1/2 teaspoon salt, divided

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1 cup cottage cheese

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1 cup shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese

1 small (or 1/2 large) pear, thinly sliced

1/3 cup crumbled gorgonzola

Honey and crushed red pepper flakes, for finishing

1. Preheat oven to 450.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, dried thyme and 1/4 teaspoon salt, and cook until golden brown, about 5-8 minutes, stirring often. Once golden, remove pan from heat and set aside.
3. Place cottage cheese in a blender with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Blend until smooth and pour into a bowl.
4. Place pizza crust on a cutting board (or other clean work surface). Spread cottage cheese mixture evenly onto the crust. Top with mozzarella, pears, caramelized onion and gorgonzola.
5. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the crust is crunchy and lightly browned. Finish the pizza with honey and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired. Slice and enjoy!