This Jalapeno and Cream Cheese Pizza with Bacon and Red Onion is hands down my favorite pizza and there is not one bit of red sauce to be found…a must try!
I think this Jalapeno and Cream Cheese Pizza with Bacon is my current favorite of all time. I’m not kidding. I’m not a pizza aficionado by any means either so I would agree that I’ve not done a thorough study or comparison but this pizza won me over big.
My daughter Emily and I were actually going somewhere else when we happened to drive by a new, local place that is a pizza-centric brewpub called Dads and Dudes Breweria.
We had been doing another day of heavy lifting before I put my house on the market a couple of years ago and as often happened during those weeks getting food on the table wasn’t happening and we were hungry girls. We saw their place, nixed our plans for more Mexican and the rest is history. It fueled us a couple of more times during the move; always a favorite we looked forward to.
Plans to meet a friend for dinner during that same time period saw me persuading begging her to try it out with me. I was not adventurous at all; I wanted THIS pie again and thankfully Jane not only was amenable but was also in agreement; it really is a great combination of ingredients.
Jane is something of a beer fan though so it didn’t take much persuasion; Dads and Dudes also makes their own beer. I would have to get Jane’s take on that part of it; I’m just coming around to enjoying beer and that’s because I’ve taken to some that are dark. But don’t ask me what I had; I was there for this pie and this pie only!
I loved it enough that I had to re-create it so set about doing that. While I do love the mix of ingredients, it’s those little dollops of cream cheese that are scattered over the other ingredients that provide something I can only describe as an occasional (and wonderful) surprise.
When I decided to make it again last week after a long lapse, I was reminded of how fantastic this dish is, how much my photos needed an upgrade and how I thought lots of new readers might appreciate it if I posted it again.
I’ve learned a few things too; for instance I add the cream cheese dollops midway through baking to ward against melting too much because I like them as is. Emily preferred smearing the dollops over her slices when we were at the restaurant. To each their own right? I guess that’s a component you can play with to get your perfect result!
One of the things that Dads and Dudes is most proud of, and rightly so, is their pizza dough. It was pretty perfect with some remnants of their beer making included in the process but for those of us making it at home, use whatever is your favorite recipe or packaged product.
I like a pizza dough that I get at the local Tony’s Market; it’s made by the Il Fornaio Restaurant group and available as either white or wheat dough. Some pizza shops will also sell balls of their dough to consumers…hmm, now wondering if the dudes do that; I’ll have to do some more homework won’t I?
Still my personal favorite dough is this Fifteen Minute Pizza Dough; fashioned a bit after beer bread; the combination of beer and yeast makes for a very fast rise and a dough ready to go in fifteen minutes. Yes, that works for me!
I can’t wait to try another of the pizzas at Dads and Dudes; thinking the Besto Pesto is next in line. Want to come with me?
PIN ‘Jalapeno and Cream Cheese Pizza with Bacon and Red Onion’
Jalapeno and Cream Cheese Pizza with Bacon and Red Onion
Ingredients
- Pizza dough for one crust
- Garlic Olive Oil (or just smush a garlic clove in some olive oil and let it sit for a bit; drain and use the oil)
- 2 cups Mexican blend cheese
- 1/4 to 1/2 red onion, sliced thin
- 1 large jalapeno pepper, membrane and seeds removed
- 6 slices thick cut bacon, cooked til not quite crisp and drained
- 4 ozs cream cheese, cut into cubes and rolled into balls about 3/4" diameter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Work your pizza dough into a greased pan.
- Brush the surface of the pizza with the garlic olive oil.
- Scatter the shredded cheese all over.
- Scatter the red onion, jalapeno pepper and bacon on top of the cheese.
- Bake for 10 minutes and then remove from the oven.
- Dot the surface with the cream cheese balls and return the pizza to the oven.
- Bake for an additional 10 minutes or until crust is lightly brown.
Notes
Cream cheese and ovens vary; if your cheese has not browned enough, just pass it under the broiler for a minute although I've found that even if not perfectly browned the time in the oven is enough for it to get warmed; that's what really matters!
I would like to come! Very nicely done, Barb.
Let’s plan it! You, me, Jane and Holly off for pizza and beer!
I like it, you won’t find this at the pizzeria.
I made this pizza tonight for dinner – it’s delicious! I think the next time I make it I’ll use the same amount of cream cheese – but make the cream cheese balls much smaller – I really did enjoy this pizza though – yummm…… thanks for recreating it so those of us who don’t live nearby can enjoy something pretty darn similar to the pizza the brewpub serves.
omg Barb, this does sound WONderful. I must try this combination soon. And as always, great photos. Love that sidekick bottle of beer.
Bacon makes a superb pizza topping! I’ve never had it combined with cream cheese, though – the idea sounds totally tasty. And since you say it is, I know it is! Pizza is one of those things I rarely make because we have so many great pizza joints within a 5 minute drive of us, so we usually do take out. But none of them offer this combo of flavors, so it looks like I’ll have to finally make my own! Thanks for this.
My daughter-in-law-to-be absolutely LOVES bacon. She’ll love me for this recipe!
What can I say about this dish… but damn, does it look good. You know, I think Eric would love this, despite his weird thing for any warm cream cheesy dishes. I think the bacon and jalapeno will win him over.
Maybe mascarpone would be better for Eric then, it melts onto the pizza; the warm little balls of cream cheese that I loved might not be loved as much. Seriously my new favorite…bet even great if you pick off the bacon!
Almost like jalapeno poppers on a pizza. Oh Yeah!
Good analogy Abbe…just enough but not too much either. My guests were amazed at how subtle the jalapeno were but removing the seeds and a bit of baking made them perfect!
Sounds incredible. I love cream cheese anything. I put it in omelets and sandwiches so it makes perfect sense on pizza too!
You have every delicious flavor going on in this recipe! Yum!
I know right? Even better together!
I will be making this pizza very soon – hopefully this week … yum! I’ve never thought to add cream cheese or jalapenos to a pizza – but why not ?? your pizza looks scrumptious…
I had not either which is nuts…I’ve done SO many other things. Hope you love it too!
Oh my gosh yummy, what a delicious combination! I’m trying this for sure!
Really do Jayne. I’m in LOVE!
Looks great – fast, easy and delicious – what more could you ask for!
It was amazing and I’m so happy you carry that dough I love. I can make my own of course, but sometimes? Nice to have some in the fridge! Did you notice the post for a short rib sandwich I did last week. Now wonder where I got those short ribs huh? They were perfect!
You had me at bacon!
Oh you are so easy! 🙂
I saw this pizza when you Instagram-ed it last week and I’ve been waiting on the recipe ever since. Sounds pretty much like the perfect pizza to me! My mouth is actually watering just thinking about it.
It is so good Lana; I just finished the last two slices for lunch and I’m sort of missing it already.
I want to come live with you!!! Delicious!!
I have room. 🙂
Now I’ve got to try this… I’ve NEVER had cream cheese on a pizza before and I am now thinking “well, duh.. that would be awesome!!” Wish I could join you for pizza and beer – will have to remember this place for the next time I’m in Denver!!
It is awesome..and I’ll take you there; we had some great appetizers too. Hurry up and come back!
Makes me want to make homemade pizza for dinner tonight. Yum!
This looks fantastic! I love this flavor combination.
For a bacon lover I would miss it but even if vegetarian it’s great. How do I know? Two leftover slices had nary a slice of the pig and they were still a great lunch.
Yup, I AM coming with you! Sign me up for this pizza! I am curious about the cream cheese as I haven’t thought to add that to pizza. With this combination it looks like a winner. Can’t believe there is another hidden gem serving pizza and beer nearby that I haven’t tried. Let me know the next time you head in that direction and I’ll join you.
I’m hoping we’re invited to do a food blogger review of some of their favorites; Emily, Jane and I were all impressed.
What’s not to love? This looks utterly delicious!
Thanks Renee…I’m serious about it being my new favorite; absolutely LOVE it!
That Pizza is calling me and I might just drive in snow and blizzards for that one! I won’t care if you would call me worse than those California drivers.. I WILL drive for that pizza.
It was a great pizza!! The combination of flavors were perfect, the sweetness of the cream cheese marries beautifully with the heat of the jalapeno. I only wish the restaurant was closer to my house!
Barb, the recipe and picture looks exactly like what we enjoyed.
Not sure if you remember but Dads and Dudes Brewery use the spent grains from the brewing process in their pizza dough. I usually don’t eat the end of crust on pizza (trying to cut calories) but the dough was exceptional.
I’ve got several very easy dough recipes I’ll share with you…quicker than running to Tony’s for dough:)
Thank you for developing the recipe. We’ll have to go back and try some other pies…and have you develop the recipes for all of your readers to enjoy.
You make the best pizzas, Barb!! 🙂 This looks SO GOOD!