The key to getting anyone to love brussels sprouts? Add them to pizza! This Brussels Sprouts Flatbread (with pancetta!) is sure to win everyone over.
(This recipe for Brussels Sprouts and Pancetta Flatbread was originally published in October 2011, but was updated with new photos in 2019).
When I first told him I was putting brussels sprouts on flatbread, Chris declared it a waste of a flatbread. Like many, he is clearly not a fan of brussels sprouts. But I figured if there was any way I could get him to like the often-despised vegetable, it would be by putting them on a thin crispy dough with lots of flavorful cheese and garlic. Oh, and pancetta. *Insert evil laugh here* Mission complete. Chris ate this brussels sprout and pancetta flatbread as leftovers the very next day.
Bottom line: If you're trying to show a doubter the beauty of brussels sprouts, start here. Soon you'll have them eating brussels sprouts out of the palm of your hand. OK, that might be weird. But they'll at least be eating them off the crust of your pizza. Muhahaha.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS FLATBREAD (WITH PANCETTA) RECIPE
This is one of those quick, simple recipes that yields some leftovers if you're just cooking for two. Unless you plan to eat an entire pizza in one sitting. Which I have been known to do. At least with this one, you can justify it by knowing that you're getting your share of healthy green veggies. But still, there's cheese. Lots of cheese. And pancetta. Moving on, then.
You should definitely start by making the flatbread dough since it needs a couple hours to rise. You can even do it the day or a dew days before. You can really use any kind of pizza or flatbread dough you want (even store-bought!), but I'm sharing my favorite recipe in the recipe card below. For even more details of the flatbread dough making process, check out this post.
Once you're ready to start assembling the flatbread, heat 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium heat and throw brussels sprouts in the pan. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté for about 3 minutes.
Add in garlic. Sauté for 3 more minutes. I let my sprouts get dark, but not too dark since you'll be baking them at a high heat once they're on the pizza dough.
Now, roll out your dough and place dough round on a foil-covered baking round.
Lightly brush flatbread lightly with 1 Tbsp. olive oil.
Lay down mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle on pancetta and top with brussels sprout and garlic mixture and red pepper flakes.
Bake at 450 degree for 12-15 minutes, until edges of the crust are turning golden.
Remove from oven and top with parmesan cheese shavings. Yes, I suppose more cheese is totally unnecessary. But in my world, the words "cheese" and "unnecessary" do not belong in the same sentence, so it happened. And the parmesan really adds a fantastic kick to the flatbread.
Now you're ready to slice and serve. And wait with bated breath to see how your dining companion reacts. At first I was nervous Chris would immediately reject the brussels sprouts flatbread. But he gobbled it right up and told me he actually loved it. Yesss.
Mission accomplished.
I'm not really giving myself too much credit though. I mean, pancetta was involved. A whole lot of it. And is it even possible to dislike something involving pancetta? Provided you're not a vegetarian, of course. Brussels sprouts flatbread might be delicious in my world, but brussels sprouts AND pancetta flatbread is delicious in (almost) everyone's world.
Seriously though, I think the secret to getting people to give brussels sprouts a chance is to toss them in some good olive oil and brown them up or to roast them in the oven. It gets rid of a bit of that bitter taste and adds a nice smoky flavor. Of course, cheese, pancetta, and a crispy crust don't hurt either. Trust me on this one.
Most things are better on pizza and this brussels sprouts flatbread is very solid proof of that!
How do you feel about brussels sprouts?
If you're looking for more unique flatbread pizza recipes, check out my Lobster Artichoke Flatbread or my Lamb Flatbread with Mint and Feta. I'm also obsessed with this Ranch and Dill Pickle Pizza from Thursday Night Pizza!
And for more ways to make your friends and family fall in love with brussels sprouts, make my Brussels Sprouts Grilled Cheese or my Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad!
Brussels Sprouts and Pancetta Flatbread
Ingredients
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced
- 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
- ½ batch flatbread dough (recipe below)
- ¼ lb. pancetta, chopped
- 4-6 oz. mozzarella cheese, cut into rounds
- 2 tsp Red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 oz. parmesan cheese, shaved
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees.
- Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add brussels sprouts to pan and season with salt and pepper. Sauté for about 3 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 3 more minutes.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out into a thin 12-inch round. Transfer round to a foil-covered 12-inch pan. Brush dough lightly with remaining Tbsp olive oil.
- Lay mozzarella cheese on dough, sprinkle on pancetta, and top with brussels sprout and garlic mixture and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, until edges of flatbread are turning golden. Remove from oven and top flatbread with parmesan cheese shavings.
- Slice and serve.
Flatbread Dough
- Mix yeast and water in a large bowl and let rest for 2 minutes.
- Stir salt, sugar, and extra-virgin olive oil into the mixture. With a wooden spoon, mix the flour into the mixture.
- Cover bowl with a kitchen towel and let rest in a warm spot for about 2 hours so dough can rise. See notes section for more details about flatbread dough.
Notes
- Flatbread dough recipe makes enough for two large flatbreads. Double the other flatbread ingredients to make two or wrap half the dough in plastic wrap and store in fridge for 7-10 days.
- Note that recipe prep time doesn't include 2 hours dough rising time.
Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen says
This looks so yummy! I always thought I hated brussels sprouts until about a year ago, but never really gave them a fair chance. Then I had them sauteed with bacon at a restaurant and totally changed my mind!
Erica says
I love brussels! My mom is not a fan, so i tried them first in college. The toppings on this are awesome!
Simply Life says
Maybe I need to try this because I'm not the biggest fan of brussel sprouts!
Emily @ A Cambridge Story says
I'm convinced that people who don't like brussel sprouts only remember them boiled or steamed. What's there not to like about them roasted? This pizza looks awesome!
Lauren @ Healthy Food For Living says
I've become quite a huge Brussels sprouts fan, and you just can't go wrong with pancetta! This flatbread sounds delicious.
Michelle says
I adore Brussels sprouts! I convinced Bret to start eating them once I sauteed them with chopped bacon and maple syrup.
Jenn's Food Journey says
I'm not a huge fan of burssels sprouts - but - I've never had them on a pizza that you made, so maybe I would end up loving them 🙂 The pizza looks really good!
Daisy says
love them! never thought to put them on a pizza though! glad to hear Chris is now a convert!!
Kelly says
I actually have been a brussels sprouts lover in adulthood. I think the key is to pick them when they are small (to me these are less bitter) and to cook them properly. I find simply roasted ones with a generous amount of sea salt to be delicious. Flatbreads have never been on my radar, but now I'm thinking...why not!
Megan says
I love brussels sprouts in just about any form, always have. I don't think I've ever had them on flatbread, and I seriously need to change that. This looks to die for!
newlywed says
This is the best idea I have seen in a long time! I can't wait to try your recipe. I've always loved brussels sprouts. My husband never liked them until he tasted them the way I make them -- roasted, brown, and caramelized.
Kristen says
I love Brussels Sprouts! And I love pancetta - I am so making this recipe this weekend. Mr. BF is juuuust coming around to the Sprout Train, I suspect this will make him the conductor.
em says
haha, i might have agreed with chris at first. 😉 still learning to like brussels sprouts. but on flatbread....now, that's downright amazing.
lynn @ the actor's diet says
i'm mad at my folks for not feeding me brussels sprouts growin up. i love them!!!
Shannon says
turning around to them... as long as they're roasted 🙂 this looks great!
brandi says
can't wait to get my first batch of brussels!
Sherilyn Palmer says
Oh yum - brussel sprouts are very underrated in my humble opinion. I especially love them roast till black and crisp. This flatbread looks very enticing.
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit says
I heart brussels sprouts, but I've never had them on pizza. Time to try something new! 🙂
The Duo Dishes says
A waste of flatbread?! Crazy talk. Throw some grapes on there too, and it's party time excellent. Delicious appetizer or dinner!