This straightforward caprese pizza recipe features fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and aromatic basil for an authentic Italian taste. Prepared in a flash with my reliable pizza dough tips!
Who doesn’t enjoy a delightful caprese salad? I actually tried one on the island of Capri in Italy during our honeymoon, which was undoubtedly a pivotal moment in my life! This tomato and fresh mozzarella salad has become incredibly popular in the US, so I thought—why not incorporate all those scrumptious flavors onto a pizza?
After more than ten years of pizza research and recipe testing, I’ve discovered that this dough and sauce pairing is reliably amazing. It’s perfect for dinner gatherings or even casual weeknight meals, especially if you opt for a quick pita pizza or naan pizza!
Tips for flawless caprese pizza
– **Utilize a pizza stone:** I cannot emphasize enough how much a well-preheated pizza stone impacts the outcome. I preheat mine to 500°F for at least 30 minutes prior to baking. This achieves that crispy bottom crust that’s crucial for authentic pizza.
– **Enhance your sauce:** For caprese pizza, I keep my homemade pizza sauce straightforward—just quality canned tomatoes, garlic, and oregano.
– **Perfect the dough:** Whether you use my top pizza dough, thin crust pizza dough, or pizza oven dough, the secret is to allow it to rest sufficiently. That 45-minute rest period is what results in the ideal texture and makes the dough easy to stretch.
– **Topping timing:** Add the cherry tomatoes and basil post-baking. This prevents the basil from darkening and stops the tomatoes from releasing too much moisture onto the crispy crust.
Balsamic glaze topping
While a traditional Italian caprese salad consists solely of mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, the American variation is frequently drizzled with a balsamic reduction glaze. I incorporated it into this caprese pizza, and it certainly elevates the dish! You can create a homemade balsamic reduction, but I prefer to buy a bottle for convenience.
Variation ideas I adore
Though classic caprese pizza is exquisite on its own, I’ve played around with several variations that my family loves:
– **Burrata caprese:** Substitute half the fresh mozzarella with torn pieces of burrata cheese for an even creamier experience! Check out my favorite burrata pizza for more.
– **Prosciutto:** For a more robust version, consider adding thin slices of prosciutto post-baking. It pairs beautifully with the balsamic reduction!
– **Arugula:** Occasionally, I toss in a handful of fresh arugula with the basil for a peppery kick that balances the richness (like in my arugula pizza).
– **Heirloom tomatoes:** You can also opt for thin slices of larger heirloom tomatoes for varied textures and flavors.
Serving suggestions to complete a meal
Caprese pizza is hearty enough to serve as a main dish, but I enjoy pairing it with complementary sides that bolster the Italian theme:
– **Begin with antipasti:** Present an antipasto platter featuring marinated olives, cured meats, and cheeses.
– **Incorporate a salad:** A simple arugula salad dressed with lemon juice and olive oil offers a pleasant peppery contrast to the rich pizza.
– **For entertaining:** Cut into bite-sized pieces and serve as an appetizer alongside other Italian starters like bruschetta or caprese skewers.
Storage and reheating advice
Caprese pizza is always best enjoyed fresh from the oven, but you can store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
For reheating, avoid the microwave and use one of these alternatives instead:
– **Oven:** Reheat at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melty again.
– **Skillet:** Heat a skillet over medium-low heat, add the pizza slice, cover, and warm for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
– **Air fryer:** Place a single slice in an air fryer and cook for a few minutes until crispy.
Dietary notes
This caprese pizza recipe is vegetarian.
Caprese Pizza
Instructions:
1. **Prepare the pizza dough:** Follow the Best Pizza Dough, Thin Crust Pizza Dough, or Pizza Oven Dough recipes to make the dough. (This takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to rest.)
2. Position a pizza stone in the oven and preheat to 500°F or heat your pizza oven.
3. **Prepare the pizza sauce:** Make the Homemade Pizza Sauce. (You’ll use approximately ⅓ cup for the pizza; store the remaining sauce in the fridge for up to 1 week.)
4. **Bake the pizza:** Once the oven is hot, dust a pizza peel with cornmeal or semolina flour. (If you lack a pizza peel, you can use a rimless baking sheet or the back of a rimmed baking sheet, but a pizza peel is definitely worthwhile.)