The first bite into this crispy morel and asparagus pizza is an ode to spring—light, earthy, and utterly indulgent. With foraged morel mushrooms and tender asparagus tossed in wine and thyme, this dish delivers a gourmet experience with a touch of rustic comfort.
Perfectly balanced with a chewy, golden crust and melty mozzarella, this recipe is both a seasonal celebration and a reminder that homemade pizza can be delightfully elegant. Whether served as a weeknight dinner or a weekend indulgence, it brings a breath of fresh air to your table.
Full Recipe:
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1 envelope active dry yeast
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1 cup warm water
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2½ to 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
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½ cup semolina flour
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3 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for brushing and coating)
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1 teaspoon salt
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1 teaspoon sugar
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2 tablespoons butter
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1 cup fresh morel mushrooms, cleaned and halved
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½ cup shallots, thinly sliced
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¼ cup dry white wine
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1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
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1 cup asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
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1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
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Freshly ground black pepper
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Cornmeal for dusting
Directions:
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In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and let sit for 5 minutes.
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Stir in 2 cups all-purpose flour, semolina flour, 3 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and sugar.
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Knead dough on a floured surface, incorporating additional flour as needed, for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
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Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turn to coat, cover, and let rise for 1 to 1½ hours until doubled.
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In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
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Add shallots, wine, and thyme. Sauté for 4–6 minutes until shallots are tender.
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Add asparagus and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from heat.
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Preheat oven to 475°F. Grease two baking sheets and dust with cornmeal.
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Punch dough down and divide in half. Roll each piece to 1/8-inch thickness.
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Transfer one crust to a baking sheet. Brush with olive oil.
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Top with half the mushroom mixture and cheese. Season with pepper.
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Bake on the lowest rack for about 12 minutes, until crust is crispy and golden.
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Repeat with remaining dough and toppings.
Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cooking Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes (including rise time)
Kcal: 360 kcal per serving | Servings: 4–6 servings
A Seasonal Delight: Morel and Asparagus Crispy Pizza
There are certain dishes that feel like a celebration of the season, and the Morel and Asparagus Crispy Pizza is exactly that. Combining the earthy luxury of wild morel mushrooms with the fresh snap of spring asparagus, this pizza is a testament to how thoughtful ingredient pairing can turn a simple flatbread into something truly memorable. This rustic pizza, with its crispy crust and aromatic toppings, is more than a weeknight dinner—it’s a culinary experience rooted in the changing of seasons and the joy of cooking from scratch.
The Charm of Morel Mushrooms
Morels are a prized ingredient among chefs and food lovers alike. Their honeycomb texture, meaty bite, and deep, nutty flavor make them an incredibly special addition to any dish. But what truly sets them apart is their seasonality. Morels are wild mushrooms that grow for a brief window in early spring and must be foraged rather than farmed, adding a sense of exclusivity and occasion to dishes that include them.
When cooked, morels develop a depth of flavor reminiscent of truffle or porcini, but with their own unique profile. They don’t need much—just a touch of butter, perhaps a splash of white wine, and they’re transformed. In this recipe, they’re sautéed with shallots and thyme, infusing the pizza with complex, umami-rich tones that contrast beautifully with the brightness of asparagus.
Asparagus: The Quintessential Spring Vegetable
Asparagus is another harbinger of spring. It brings a vibrant green hue and delicate vegetal flavor that plays off the richness of the mushrooms perfectly. Slightly crisp, slightly sweet, asparagus holds up well to the high heat of a pizza oven and keeps its integrity in both flavor and texture.
In this pizza, asparagus is sautéed briefly just before going into the oven, preserving its snap while allowing it to absorb some of the aromatic thyme and wine-infused mushroom mixture. The result is a balance of earthiness and freshness, comfort and refinement.
Homemade Pizza Dough: A Canvas for Creativity
One of the most underrated elements of a truly great pizza is the dough. This recipe calls for a blend of all-purpose and semolina flour, which gives the crust a satisfying chew and rustic texture. The dough is made from scratch, and while that may seem daunting to some, it’s one of the most rewarding elements of the process.
Letting the dough rise slowly allows the yeast to develop flavor, and rolling it thin gives the pizza that signature crispiness that contrasts so beautifully with the tender toppings. Homemade dough is forgiving and highly adaptable—it can be rolled out by hand, and its imperfect shape only adds to the artisanal feel of the finished dish.
Aromatics and Accents: Shallots, Thyme, and Wine
The shallots and thyme bring a gentle fragrance and depth that binds all the other elements together. Shallots, with their mellow sweetness, become the perfect companion to morels when sautéed. Fresh thyme adds just enough herbal sharpness to brighten the overall profile without overpowering the earthy mushrooms or grassy asparagus.
Deglazing the pan with a splash of dry white wine doesn’t just add acidity—it lifts the natural flavors of the mushrooms and aromatics, bringing everything into harmonious balance. This technique, while simple, reflects a sophisticated approach to flavor layering, often seen in French or modern Midwestern cooking.
Cheese: The Finishing Touch
Mozzarella is the cheese of choice here, and for good reason. It melts beautifully, forming gooey, golden bubbles that meld into the mushroom and asparagus topping. But more importantly, mozzarella has a mild enough flavor that it doesn’t compete with the morel mushrooms—it enhances without distracting.
For those looking to elevate the dish even further, consider blending in a bit of fontina or gruyère for an extra creamy, nutty dimension. These cheeses, when combined with mozzarella, create a luxurious mouthfeel and rich finish that complements the rustic earthiness of the vegetables.
Why This Pizza Stands Out
What makes this pizza truly stand out is the layering of flavors and textures. It’s not just a pizza—it’s a dish that tells a story of seasonality, regional produce, and thoughtful composition. The crispy crust provides the perfect foundation for the tender, aromatic topping. Each ingredient is cooked just enough to bring out its best qualities without overshadowing the others.
Moreover, this is a dish that is both elevated and accessible. It’s fancy enough to serve at a spring dinner party, yet comforting enough for a family meal. It also invites customization—you can add a drizzle of truffle oil, a sprinkle of parmesan, or even a poached egg on top for extra indulgence.
The Midwest Connection
This recipe is also a beautiful homage to Midwestern culinary traditions. In the Midwest, morels are not just food—they’re part of a ritual. Foraging for morels is an annual springtime event for many families, and recipes like this one are how those wild treasures are best honored. Combined with fresh asparagus, which grows abundantly in the region, and local dairy for the cheese, this pizza becomes a farm-to-table snapshot of the season.
By using simple ingredients and traditional methods, the recipe respects the bounty of the land while presenting it in a format that’s approachable and universally loved—pizza.
Tips for Success
To truly get the most out of this recipe, consider the following tips:
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Use Fresh Morels: If you can get them fresh, do it. Dried morels can be rehydrated and used in a pinch, but fresh mushrooms offer a better texture and aroma.
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Don’t Skip the Semolina: It gives the dough a slightly gritty texture that makes it more interesting than standard pizza crusts.
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Watch Your Oven Temp: Baking at a high temperature (around 475°F) is essential to achieving that restaurant-quality crisp.
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Rest the Dough Properly: Letting the dough rise not only helps with texture but improves the flavor dramatically.
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Add a Finishing Touch: A little drizzle of olive oil or lemon zest after baking can really elevate the flavors.
Conclusion: A Pizza Worth Savoring
The Morel and Asparagus Crispy Pizza isn’t just a recipe—it’s a reflection of culinary mindfulness. It shows what’s possible when you combine seasonal ingredients with thoughtful technique. The complexity of flavors—earthy, fresh, creamy, and herbal—make it a standout dish whether you’re entertaining or treating yourself on a quiet evening at home.
This pizza reminds us that the best meals often come from the simplest ingredients, treated with care. Morel mushrooms and asparagus are fleeting gifts from nature, and this dish honors them in the most delicious way possible. From the first slice to the last bite, it’s a reminder of how food connects us to time, place, and each other.