Homemade French Onion Pizza for Cozy Nights Recipe

Introduction

French Onion Pizza is a savory twist on a classic favorite, blending sweet caramelized onions with rich, melty cheese on a crispy crust. This comforting dish is perfect for cozy nights when you want something flavorful and satisfying.

Ingredients

• 4 medium sweet onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter (or olive oil for dairy-free)
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
• 2 bay leaves (remove before topping pizza)
• 1/2 cup sherry wine (or white wine/vegetable broth for non-alcoholic)
• 1 cup beef stock (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
• 1 cup Gruyere cheese, grated (substitute Swiss for milder taste)
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 portion pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large Dutch oven, heat butter and a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions, fresh thyme, bay leaves, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir frequently for about 10 minutes until the onions begin to soften and turn translucent.
2. Step 2: Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking the onions for 40-45 minutes, stirring occasionally until they turn deep golden brown.
3. Step 3: Add sherry wine and beef stock to the pot. Cook for 6-8 minutes more until the liquid reduces and lightly coats the onions.
4. Step 4: Preheat your oven to 550°F. Place a pizza stone in the oven if you have one.
5. Step 5: Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface into a 10-inch circle. Transfer it to a prepared baking sheet or pizza peel.
6. Step 6: Brush the dough generously with olive oil. Sprinkle the Gruyere and mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough.
7. Step 7: Spoon the cooled caramelized onion mixture over the cheese layer.
8. Step 8: Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone or place the baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
9. Step 9: Let the pizza cool for a minute, then slice into wedges and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of cheeses like Gruyere and mozzarella for a perfect balance of flavor and meltiness.
• For a vegetarian version, replace beef stock with vegetable broth and omit any animal-based toppings.
• If you don’t have a pizza stone, using a preheated baking sheet can help achieve a crispier crust.
• Add a sprinkle of balsamic vinegar to the onions while caramelizing for extra depth of flavor.

Storage

Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat slices in a skillet over medium heat or in a preheated oven at 350°F to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving to prevent soggy crust.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the caramelized onions ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the caramelized onions a day in advance and refrigerate them. Bring them to room temperature before using on the pizza for best results.

What can I use instead of sherry wine?

White wine or vegetable broth are great non-alcoholic substitutes that provide similar depth of flavor when cooking the onions.

Homemade French Onion Pizza for Cozy Nights Recipe

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Enjoy a cozy night in with this delectable Homemade French Onion Pizza featuring caramelized sweet onions, aromatic thyme, and a luscious blend of Gruyere and mozzarella cheeses, all atop a perfectly baked pizza crust. This recipe brings the comforting flavors of classic French onion soup into a unique and indulgent pizza experience.

• Author: lina
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Pizza
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French-Inspired
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Onion Topping

• 4 medium sweet onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter (or olive oil for dairy-free option)
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
• 2 bay leaves (to be removed before topping pizza)
• 1/2 cup sherry wine (or white wine/vegetable broth for non-alcoholic)
• 1 cup beef stock (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cheese Topping

• 1 cup Gruyere cheese, grated (substitute Swiss cheese for milder taste)
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Pizza Base

• 1 portion pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• Olive oil, for brushing dough
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking onions in combination with butter)

Instructions

1. Caramelize the Onions: In a large Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced onions, fresh thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir frequently for about 10 minutes until onions soften and become translucent.
2. Slow Cook to Deep Brown: Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking the onions, stirring occasionally, for 40-45 minutes until they develop a deep golden brown color.
3. Deglaze and Simmer: Add sherry wine and beef stock to the pot. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the liquid reduces and lightly coats the onions. Remove bay leaves and let the mixture cool slightly.
4. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pizza Base: Preheat oven to 550°F (288°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat. Roll out pizza dough on a floured surface into a 10-inch circle and transfer to a baking sheet or pizza peel.
5. Assemble the Pizza: Brush the pizza dough generously with olive oil. Sprinkle grated Gruyere and shredded mozzarella evenly over the dough.
6. Add Caramelized Onion Topping: Spoon the cooled caramelized onion mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
7. Bake the Pizza: Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone or place the baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and melted.
8. Serve: Remove pizza from oven, let cool for about a minute, slice into wedges, and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

• Use olive oil instead of butter for a dairy-free version.
• Substitute vegetable broth for beef stock to make this pizza vegetarian.
• For a milder cheese flavor, replace Gruyere with Swiss cheese.
• If fresh thyme is unavailable, dried thyme works well at half the quantity.
• Using a pizza stone improves crust crispiness but is optional.
• Ensure onions are properly caramelized for rich, deep flavor.

Keywords: French onion pizza, caramelized onion pizza, Gruyere pizza, cheesy pizza, homemade pizza, cozy night recipe, comfort food, vegetarian pizza