Description
Kentucky Hot Brown Pizza is a comforting and indulgent twist on the classic Hot Brown sandwich, transformed into a cheesy, savory pizza. Featuring a rich homemade cheese sauce, smoked turkey, crispy bacon, and fresh tomato slices on a buttery crust, this recipe perfectly blends Southern flavors with Italian-style baking for a crowd-pleasing dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 cup warm water (lukewarm, not hot)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (ensure it’s not expired)
- 1 tablespoon sugar (can substitute with a low-carb sweetener)
- 1 teaspoon salt (do not omit)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (can substitute with other oils)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (can replace with almond flour or gluten-free blend)
Cheese Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter (do not substitute)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream (can swap with half-and-half)
- 1 cup Romano cheese (can substitute with parmesan or a blend)
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg (optional)
Toppings
- 2 cups smoked turkey breast (great for using leftovers)
- 1 cup bacon (use pre-cooked bacon to save time)
- 1 large Roma tomato (substitute with preferred variety)
- 1 tablespoon paprika (for seasoning)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) and place a pizza stone inside to heat up thoroughly for an optimal crust crisp.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: In a skillet over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in 1 cup of heavy whipping cream and 1 cup of grated Romano cheese. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5-7 minutes until thickened and cheesy, adding a pinch of nutmeg if desired for warmth.
- Prepare the Dough: In a small bowl, combine 1 cup lukewarm water with 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast. Let rest for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating yeast activation. Stir in 1 tablespoon sugar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 1 teaspoon salt. Gradually incorporate 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, mixing until a smooth dough forms.
- Shape the Dough: Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a 14 to 16-inch diameter circle. Transfer it carefully onto the preheated pizza stone or a baking sheet if preferred.
- Assemble the Pizza: Spread half of the prepared cheese sauce evenly over the dough base. Layer with smoked turkey breast slices, followed by the remaining cheese sauce. Top with crumbled pre-cooked bacon and thinly sliced Roma tomato.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the assembled pizza into the preheated oven on the pizza stone. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the toppings are bubbling and hot.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for one minute. Garnish with paprika and fresh parsley. Cut into wedges and serve immediately while warm and melty.
Notes
- Ensure the water for the yeast is lukewarm, around 100-110°F, to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
- Using pre-cooked bacon saves time and ensures it crisps nicely when baked.
- Pizza stone helps achieve a better crust but a baking sheet can be used as an alternative.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and ensure the yeast is gluten-free certified.
- Leftover smoked turkey breast works perfectly for the topping, adding great flavor and texture.
- Adjust paprika amount based on heat preference; smoked paprika adds an extra smoky flavor.
