Caramelized Pear, Prosciutto & Blue Cheese Pizza Recipe

I absolutely love this Caramelized Pear, Prosciutto & Blue Cheese Pizza Recipe because it’s like a perfect harmony of sweet, salty, and tangy all on one crispy crust. When I first tried it, I was blown away by how the caramelized pears add just the right touch of sweetness that pairs beautifully with sharp blue cheese and savory prosciutto. It’s the kind of pizza that feels special enough for a dinner party but easy enough to enjoy as a cozy weekend treat.

You’ll find that this Caramelized Pear, Prosciutto & Blue Cheese Pizza Recipe works wonderfully when you want to impress without spending hours fussing in the kitchen. The combination of whole wheat dough and luscious toppings creates a satisfying meal that’s both rustic and elegant. Trust me, once you try it, your family and friends will be begging for this one on repeat.

this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients in this Caramelized Pear, Prosciutto & Blue Cheese Pizza Recipe are simple but thoughtfully chosen to build layers of flavor. When picking your pears, try for semi-ripe ones that can soften nicely without turning mushy. Fresh blue cheese and quality prosciutto make all the difference here.

• Warm Water: Activates the yeast—make sure it’s not too hot or you’ll kill the yeast.
• Active Dry Yeast: Gives your dough that beautiful rise and airy texture.
• Honey: Adds subtle sweetness that helps feed the yeast.
• Olive Oil: Loved for both dough and cooking the pears—it brings richness and moisture.
• Whole Wheat Flour: Gives the crust a hearty flavor and nice chew.
• Salt: Essential to enhance all the flavors, especially in the dough and pears.
• Pears: Semi-ripe ones work best for caramelizing without turning mushy.
• Unsalted Butter: Used to caramelize the pears and deepen the sweet flavor.
• Nutmeg: Just a pinch adds subtle warmth to the pears.
• Brown Sugar: Helps pears caramelize perfectly with a lovely golden hue.
• Fontina Cheese: Creamy and mild, it melts beautifully and balances the sharper blue cheese.
• Shallots: Provide gentle onion flavor without overpowering the other toppings.
• Garlic Cloves: Freshly minced for that punch of savory aroma.
• Prosciutto: Thin slices lend a salty, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
• Blue Cheese: Crumbled for tangy creaminess that pairs perfectly with sweet pears.
• Balsamic Glaze: Drizzled right before serving for a sweet and tangy finish.

Variations

I love to tweak this Caramelized Pear, Prosciutto & Blue Cheese Pizza Recipe depending on the season or who I’m cooking for. Feel free to experiment with different cheeses or swap out the prosciutto if you want to keep it vegetarian. It’s very forgiving and always delicious.

• Cheese Swap: Sometimes I use goat cheese instead of blue cheese for a milder tang, and it turns out just as lovely.
• Vegetarian Version: Skip the prosciutto and add roasted walnuts or caramelized onions for extra savory depth.
• Spicy Kick: Sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes on top before baking if you like a little heat.
• Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free pizza crust to enjoy this flavor combo without worrying about gluten.

How to Make Caramelized Pear, Prosciutto & Blue Cheese Pizza Recipe

Step 1: Activate the Yeast and Prepare the Dough

Start by whisking together warm water, yeast, honey, and olive oil in a large bowl. Let it rest for about 10 minutes until it’s bubbly and foamy—this is your yeast at work and the secret to a light crust. Then stir in 2 cups of whole wheat flour and salt, mixing until the dough is just coming together but still sticky. I like to get messy for this part and knead the dough on a floured counter, slowly adding the remaining flour until it feels smooth and elastic.

Step 2: Let the Dough Rise Warmly

Rub a little olive oil inside your bowl, place the dough back in, turning to coat it lightly, then cover with a clean towel. Find a cozy warm spot for the dough to rise—for me, the top of the fridge or inside the oven with just the light on works wonders. It should double in size in about 1 to 1 ½ hours. Patience here pays off with a tender crust you’ll love.

Step 3: Caramelize the Pears

While the dough is rising, heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over low heat. Add your thinly sliced pears with salt and nutmeg, cover, and cook gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally so they soften slowly without browning too fast. Add the brown sugar and keep cooking until the pears turn golden and luscious—this step fills your kitchen with the most incredible aroma, and it’s so worth the wait.

Step 4: Shape the Dough and Assemble

Once your dough has doubled, gently punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface. I usually shape it into a rough rectangle on a baking sheet, but feel free to get creative with rounds or free-forms. Cover it again and let it rest for 10 minutes to relax the gluten. Then preheat your oven to 400°F. Spread about three-quarters of your grated fontina evenly over the dough, scatter the minced garlic and sliced shallots on top, then arrange those caramelized pears. Layer with prosciutto slices and crumble the blue cheese over everything, finishing with the rest of the fontina.

Step 5: Bake and Add the Finishing Touch

Bake the pizza for 30 to 35 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling beautifully. Pull it out and immediately drizzle with balsamic glaze — that tangy sweetness on top is my favorite finishing touch that brings everything together. Let it cool just a bit before slicing because you want the flavors to settle, but honestly, I’ve been guilty of diving right in.

How to Serve Caramelized Pear, Prosciutto & Blue Cheese Pizza Recipe

Garnishes

When serving this pizza, I love sprinkling a little fresh arugula or torn basil leaves on top for a peppery and herbal freshness that brightens every bite. Sometimes I add a few crushed walnuts for crunch, which complements the soft cheeses beautifully.

Side Dishes

A crisp, simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette pairs so nicely here—it helps cut through the richness of the cheese and prosciutto. Roasted vegetables or a light soup work well too if you want something warm and comforting alongside your pizza.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to make mini version pizzas using the same dough portioned out small — perfect for cocktail parties or when serving guests as an appetizer. I also sprinkle edible flowers on top for a stunning, unexpected pop of color that gets everyone talking.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover pizza slices in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to three days. The crust can sometimes get a little soft, but with a quick reheat in a skillet or oven, it’s almost as good as fresh.

Freezing

I’ve frozen both the dough and fully baked pizza slices separately. The dough freezes beautifully for up to a month, and thawing it in the fridge overnight works best before shaping. For baked slices, wrap tightly in foil and a freezer bag — reheat directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to bake time.

Reheating

The best way to reheat leftover pizza is on a skillet over medium heat with a lid to warm through and keep the crust crisp. Alternatively, a 375°F oven for 8-10 minutes also works well. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the texture intact.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Caramelized Pear, Prosciutto & Blue Cheese Pizza Recipe has become one of my go-to recipes when I want something that feels a little fancy but is totally doable on a weeknight or for guests. It’s the kind of dish that wins compliments every time, and the balance of flavors always surprises people in the best way. I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) this as much as I do—trust me, it’s a memorable slice of comfort with a gourmet twist that you’re going to want to make again and again.

Print