Garden Brunch Pizza with Basil EVOO, Smoked Provolone & Fried Eggs

Jun 17, 2026

Brunch has become one of those meals where almost anything goes.

Sweet or savory.

Elegant or casual.

Traditional or completely unexpected.

This Garden Brunch Pizza lands somewhere in the middle.

It takes familiar brunch ingredients like eggs, cheese, and vegetables and presents them in a way that feels fresh, creative, and surprisingly easy to pull off.

The combination of sautéed zucchini, creamy ricotta, smoky provolone, and fried eggs creates a balance of richness and freshness that makes every bite interesting.

And thanks to Basil EVOO, the whole dish develops the kind of herbaceous character you'd normally expect from a homemade pesto.

...but without the extra work.

Why This Recipe Works

The best recipes balance contrast.

This pizza delivers:

  • Crispy crust
  • Creamy ricotta
  • Smoky provolone
  • Fresh basil notes
  • Rich egg yolks
  • Bright vegetables

No single ingredient dominates.

Instead, each component supports the others.

Why Basil EVOO Makes Such a Difference

Basil naturally pairs well with:

  • Eggs
  • Cheese
  • Tomatoes
  • Zucchini
  • Pizza

The infused olive oil helps distribute that flavor evenly throughout the dish while also adding richness and aroma.

It's one of those ingredients that quietly elevates everything around it.

Big Horn Culinary College

Fresh basil and dried basil behave very differently in cooking.

Fresh basil provides bright aromatics and delicate flavor.

Dried basil offers deeper, more concentrated herbal notes.

For lighter dishes like this one, fresh basil characteristics tend to shine brightest, which is exactly why Basil EVOO works so well.

Ingredients:

Serves 4

Pizza

  • 1 store-bought pizza dough or pre-baked pizza crust
  • 1 tbsp Basil EVOO
  • 2 medium zucchini, grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 cup shredded smoked provolone
  • ½ cup ricotta cheese

Topping

  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tbsp Basil EVOO
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Grated Parmesan
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 4 Strips of Bacon (optional)

Instructions:

Act 1: Build the Garden Base

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Heat Basil EVOO in a skillet over medium heat.

Add zucchini and garlic and cook for 5–7 minutes until softened and most of the moisture has evaporated.

Season lightly with salt and pepper.

Act 2: Layer the Flavor

Stretch dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Spread zucchini mixture evenly across the dough.

Top with smoked provolone and small dollops of ricotta.

Act 3: Achieve Golden Perfection

Bake for 12–15 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.

Meanwhile, fry eggs to your preferred doneness.

If you're including bacon, fry bacon to preferred crispiness.

Act 4: Brunch Like You Mean it!

Place fried eggs (and optional bacon) on top of the baked pizza.

Finish with a drizzle of Basil EVOO, fresh basil, Parmesan, and red pepper flakes if desired.

Serve immediately.

Final Thoughts

If you're looking for a brunch recipe that feels a little different without becoming complicated, this one checks all the boxes.

It's colorful, comforting, and just unexpected enough to become a conversation starter around the table.