Asparagus and Prosciutto Masterpiece

Transform your pizza night into a gourmet experience with this incredibly flavorful Ham & Asparagus Pizza, perfected in an Ooni outdoor oven. This delightful recipe combines a vibrant pesto base with savory ham, tender asparagus, and a hint of red onion, all topped with gooey, melted cheese. It’s a quick, easy, and undeniably delicious way to enjoy fresh seasonal ingredients, bringing that authentic smoky, crispy crust flavor right to your backyard. If you’re looking to elevate your homemade pizza game, this Ooni pizza recipe is a must-try!

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Get ready to discover your new favorite pizza! The classic combination of ham and asparagus truly shines on this vibrant pizza, especially when cooked to perfection in an Ooni outdoor pizza oven. The intense heat of the Ooni oven delivers a beautifully smoky and crispy crust that is simply unparalleled, reminiscent of traditional Neapolitan pizzerias. What sets this Ham & Asparagus Pizza apart is its foundation: a rich and herbaceous pesto sauce. I find that a traditional red sauce often overpowers the delicate, earthy flavor of fresh asparagus, but pesto complements it beautifully, allowing the green vegetable to truly sing. A final sprinkle of salty, nutty Parmesan cheese after cooking adds that perfect finishing touch, taking this pizza from great to extraordinary.

This recipe is designed for ease and speed. While we provide quantities for one delicious 12-inch pizza, it’s incredibly simple to double or triple the ingredients to feed a larger gathering. The best part? Your Ooni pizza oven heats up to blistering temperatures in mere minutes, meaning you can have a fresh, hot, and crispy pizza ready to eat in under 90 seconds once it’s in the oven. This makes it an ideal choice for quick weeknight dinners or entertaining friends without being stuck in the kitchen.

Mastering the Ooni Pizza Oven: Fast, Fresh, Flavorful

The Ooni Pizza Oven has revolutionized home pizza making. Gone are the days when achieving restaurant-quality pizza meant investing in massive, expensive, and stationary outdoor brick ovens. Ooni has pioneered a range of compact, portable, and incredibly efficient pizza ovens that bring authentic stone-baked pizza to your backyard. These ovens feature a live flame located at the back, which not only cooks your pizza at extremely high temperatures but also infuses it with that desirable smoky char and flavor.

The cooking surface of an Ooni oven is typically a high-quality cordierite pizza stone. Once this stone is thoroughly heated – often reaching temperatures upwards of 900°F (480°C) – it cooks the base of your pizza rapidly, resulting in a perfectly crispy crust in just a minute or two. My personal favorite is the Ooni Koda 12. This gas-fueled model heats up incredibly fast and reaches an impressive 950°F (500°C), allowing you to cook a complete pizza in as little as 60 seconds! The speed and quality of the cooking are truly astounding. To complement your Ooni, you’ll also need an essential tool: the Ooni pizza peel. This perforated peel helps you launch and retrieve your pizzas with ease, ensuring a perfect bake every time.

The Perfect Ingredients for a Heavenly Pizza

The success of any great pizza lies in the quality and balance of its ingredients. For our Ham & Asparagus Pizza, each component plays a crucial role in creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

Choosing Your Ingredients Wisely:

• Pizza Dough: The foundation of your pizza! You’ll need enough dough to make a 12-inch pizza. While homemade dough is always rewarding, high-quality store-bought dough works perfectly and saves significant time. Ensure it’s at room temperature for easier rolling.
• Flour: A small amount of all-purpose flour is essential for dusting your work surface. This prevents the dough from sticking during rolling, ensuring a smooth and even base for your pizza.
• Cornmeal: This is a game-changer for launching your pizza. Sprinkle it generously on your pizza peel before transferring the dough. It acts like tiny ball bearings, allowing the pizza to slide effortlessly from the peel into the scorching hot Ooni oven.
• Pesto Sauce: Our secret weapon! Opt for a good quality prepared pesto sauce. The fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, and olive oil in pesto provide a bright, herbal, and slightly nutty base that enhances the asparagus without overpowering it, unlike many tomato-based sauces.
• Olive Oil: A drizzle of good extra virgin olive oil mixed with the pesto helps thin it slightly for easier spreading and adds a rich, fruity note.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella is ideal for its melting properties. Low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella is recommended as it melts evenly without releasing too much water, preventing a soggy crust.
• Ham: Diced ham provides a savory, salty counterpoint to the asparagus. This recipe is fantastic for utilizing leftover ham from holidays, adding another layer of flavor and reducing food waste.
• Asparagus: Fresh asparagus is key. Look for bright green, firm spears with tight tips. Make sure to clean them thoroughly and snap off the woody ends before chopping them into small, approximately 1/4-inch pieces, ensuring they cook quickly and evenly on the pizza.
• Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onion adds a subtle pungency and a touch of sweetness, complementing both the ham and asparagus. Adjust the quantity to your personal preference – some like a lot, others just a hint.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled over the finished pizza adds a sharp, salty, and umami-rich kick that truly takes the flavors over the top.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Ooni Ham & Asparagus Pizza

Making this incredible pizza is simple, especially with the speed of an Ooni oven. Follow these steps for a perfect, crispy result every time.

1. Preheat Your Ooni Oven: Begin by heating your Ooni Pizza oven according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This usually involves letting it heat up for 15-20 minutes until the stone reaches its optimal temperature (around 850-950°F or 450-500°C). Proper preheating is crucial for a crispy base.
2. Prepare the Dough: Lightly flour a clean work surface. Roll out your pizza dough into a 12-inch circle (or desired shape) to your preferred thickness. Next, generously sprinkle your pizza peel with cornmeal. Carefully transfer the rolled dough onto the cornmeal-dusted peel, ensuring it moves freely.
3. Apply the Pesto Base: In a small bowl, mix the pesto sauce with the olive oil. This makes it easier to spread and enhances the flavor. Evenly brush this flavorful pesto-oil mixture over the entire surface of the pizza dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
4. Add Your Toppings: Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the pesto base. Then, distribute the diced ham, chopped asparagus pieces, and thinly sliced red onion across the cheese. Remember not to overload the pizza, as Ooni ovens perform best with lighter toppings.
5. Cook in the Ooni Oven: With a swift, confident motion, slide the pizza from the peel directly onto the hot stone in your Ooni oven. Cook for approximately 45 seconds. Using the pizza peel, carefully turn the pizza 180 degrees to ensure even cooking and browning of the crust. Continue cooking for another 15-20 seconds, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly, the crust is golden and lightly charred, and the base is perfectly crispy.
6. Remove and Slice: Once cooked, use your pizza peel to carefully remove the hot pizza from the oven and transfer it to a cutting board. Allow it to rest for a minute or two before slicing it into wedges.
7. Garnish and Serve: For an extra layer of flavor, sprinkle the top of the pizza with freshly grated Parmesan cheese immediately after slicing. Serve hot and enjoy the sensational taste of your homemade Ham & Asparagus Pizza!

Chef Jenn’s Expert Tips for Ooni Pizza Success

Achieving Ooni pizza perfection is easy with a few insider tricks. Here are my top tips to ensure your Ham & Asparagus Pizza turns out flawlessly every time:

• Master the Pizza Peel Slide: This is perhaps the most crucial skill. Ensure your pizza dough slides around easily on the pizza peel before attempting to launch it into the oven. Cornmeal is your best friend here! Sprinkle a generous amount on the peel before placing your dough. If the dough feels sticky or hesitant, gently lift edges and add more cornmeal underneath until it glides effortlessly. This prevents your pizza from getting stuck or misshapen in the oven.
• Don’t Overload Your Pizza: Ooni ovens cook at extremely high temperatures, and too many toppings can prevent the pizza from cooking evenly, leading to a raw center or soggy crust. For a perfect Ooni pizza, less is often more. Aim for a light, even layer of toppings rather than a towering pile.
• Rotate for Even Cooking: Due to the live flame at the back of the Ooni oven, pizzas cook incredibly fast and unevenly if not rotated. Use your pizza peel to turn the pizza 180 degrees halfway through the cooking process (after about 45 seconds) to ensure a uniformly crispy crust and perfectly cooked toppings. Watch for the crust to puff up and turn golden.
• Monitor Temperature Closely: While Ooni ovens have built-in thermometers, an infrared thermometer is a fantastic tool to check the stone temperature directly. Aim for 800-950°F (425-500°C) for the best results. If the stone is too cool, your crust will be soft; too hot, and it might burn before the toppings cook.
• Prep Everything in Advance: Mise en place is vital for Ooni cooking. Have all your ingredients chopped, measured, and ready to go before you even fire up the oven. The cooking process is so fast that you won’t have time to chop asparagus once the pizza is in!
• Clean Your Peel Regularly: Bits of cheese or cornmeal left on the peel can burn in the hot oven and stick to your next pizza. Keep a clean towel or brush handy to wipe off the peel between launches.

Delicious Variations & Customizations

This Ham & Asparagus Pizza is a masterpiece on its own, but it also serves as an excellent canvas for culinary creativity. Feel free to experiment with these delicious variations:

• Cheese Swaps: While mozzarella is classic, consider adding a sprinkle of provolone, fontina, or even goat cheese for different flavor profiles. A dollop of fresh ricotta can add a creamy texture.
• Vegetable Additions: Enhance the spring theme with additional vegetables. Thinly sliced cherry tomatoes, spinach (added in the last few seconds of cooking), mushrooms, or even a sprinkle of chili flakes for a touch of heat would be fantastic.
• Protein Alternatives: If ham isn’t your preference, consider swapping it for prosciutto, cooked bacon bits, shredded chicken, or even smoked salmon (added after cooking).
• Herb Infusions: Beyond pesto, fresh herbs like a few sprigs of fresh thyme, oregano, or chopped parsley can elevate the aroma and taste.
• Gluten-Free Option: Many excellent gluten-free pizza doughs are now available. Ensure they are suitable for high-temperature cooking.

What to Serve with Your Gourmet Pizza

Pizza can certainly be a satisfying meal all on its own, but pairing it with a fresh side can elevate your dining experience. Here are some ideas to make it a complete feast:

• Crisp Green Salad: A light, refreshing salad like an Extra Garlicky Homemade Caesar Salad with crunchy croutons provides a wonderful contrast to the rich pizza.
• Pasta Salad: A vibrant Pesto Orzo Salad or a light caprese pasta salad would perfectly complement the flavors of the pizza.
• Roasted Vegetables: Simple roasted vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, or zucchini can add an extra layer of freshness.
• Fresh Fruit Platter: For a lighter meal or dessert, a platter of seasonal fresh fruit is a delightful option.
• Dessert: For an extra fabulous end to your meal, serve these eggless chocolate chip cookies!

Storage and Reheating Best Practices

Leftover pizza? It’s a rare occurrence, but if you happen to have any slices remaining from your delicious Ham & Asparagus Pizza, proper storage and reheating will ensure they taste almost as good as fresh.

Storage: Allow the pizza to cool completely before storing. Transfer slices to an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Reheating: For the best results, avoid the microwave, which can make the crust soggy. Instead:

• Oven/Toaster Oven: Place slices directly on a wire rack or baking sheet in a cold oven. Set the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and heat for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy. Starting with a cold oven helps the pizza heat evenly without burning.
• Skillet Method: Place a slice of pizza in a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then add a few drops of water to the pan (away from the pizza) and immediately cover with a lid. The steam will re-melt the cheese and crisp the crust simultaneously. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I use store-bought pizza dough?

A: Yes, absolutely! High-quality store-bought pizza dough is a fantastic time-saver and works wonderfully for this recipe. Just make sure to let it come to room temperature before rolling for easier handling.

Q: What if I don’t have an Ooni oven?

A: While the Ooni provides an unmatched smoky flavor and crispy crust, you can still make a delicious version of this pizza in a conventional oven. Preheat your oven to its highest setting (usually 500-550°F or 260-290°C) with a pizza stone or baking steel inside for at least 30-60 minutes. Cook the pizza directly on the hot stone/steel until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly, usually 8-15 minutes, depending on your oven.

Q: How do I prevent my pizza from sticking to the peel?

A: The key is cornmeal! Dust your pizza peel generously with cornmeal before placing the rolled-out dough on it. This creates tiny ball bearings that allow the dough to slide easily. Make sure the dough can move freely on the peel before attempting to launch it into the oven.

Q: Can I prepare the toppings in advance?

A: Yes, prepping ingredients beforehand is highly recommended. You can chop the asparagus and red onion, dice the ham, and shred the mozzarella in advance. Store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble and cook your pizza. This makes the cooking process even quicker.

Q: Can I add other vegetables?

A: Absolutely! This pizza is quite versatile. Feel free to add other quick-cooking vegetables like thinly sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, or even a handful of fresh spinach (add spinach during the last 30 seconds of cooking to prevent it from burning).

Step-by-Step Visual Guide

More Delicious Recipes to Explore

If you loved this Ooni pizza recipe, you’ll surely enjoy exploring these other fantastic dishes from Chef Jenn:

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