Caprese Pizza is a fun way to enjoy the traditional fresh, delicious flavors of a caprese salad as the main dish. You can make this pizza on a traditional pizza crust, or a cauliflower pizza crust to keep it low carb and gluten free.Â
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Caprese Salad is a popular simple salad often served in Italian restaurants. It’s made with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic vinegar.
This easy-to-make Caprese Pizza is a unique way to enjoy those same flavors as the main dish.
Why This Recipe Works
This pizza is loaded with fresh, delicious ingredients including garlic, Roma tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil leaves.
You can use a traditional pizza crust, or if needed, this pizza can be made on a cauliflower pizza crust.
If using a cauliflower pizza crust, the recipe will be gluten free and low carb.
How to Make a Caprese Pizza
Prep!
Preheat your oven to 425°F.
Thinly slice the Roma tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.
Tip: you can also add in some sliced grape tomatoes for visual appeal, if desired.
Create!
The first step is to make the crust.
You can use any homemade or pre-made pizza crust recipe that you like, or try the dough in this recipe from The Housewife Modern.
You can use this recipe for a Cauliflower Pizza Crust (as shown in the photos) to make this recipe low carb and gluten free.
Tip: when making your own pizza crust, whether a cauliflower crust or a traditional crust, you need to follow the instructions up to and including the first bake time.
Mix the garlic and 1/2 teaspoon of the olive oil and brush onto the pizza crust.
Note: you may not need all of the oil. Just use what is needed to get the garlic evenly spread out onto the crust.
Top with alternating layers of tomato and mozzarella slices.
Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tomatoes are nice and hot.
Combine the dried basil and remaining 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil. Brush onto the top of the pizza.
Note: you will likely not need all of the oil. Use just as much as you need to evenly distribute the basil.
Present!
Heat the balsamic oil in a saucepan over medium until reduced by half and slightly thickened.
Drizzle the balsamic reduction over the pizza and top with fresh basil leaves.
Tips and Techniques for the Best Caprese Pizza
- You can use any small to medium size homemade or store bought pizza crust you prefer, including gluten free. This Cauliflower Pizza Crust recipe was used for the images in this post.
- Add some sliced grape tomatoes in addition to the tomato slices for added visual appeal, if desired.
- You will likely not need all the garlic or basil oils. Just use enough to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Store leftover pizza tightly wrapped in the refrigerator. Use within 3-5 days.
FAQ’s
- Why is it called a Caprese Salad? Caprese Salad is known as Insalata Caprese in Italy. It translates to Salad of Capri, which is an island off the coast of Naples.
- How do you prevent pizza dough from getting soggy? Brushing oil on top of the dough before adding toppings not only gives it more flavor, but helps to block moisture from getting into the dough once cooked. You can also remove the seeds from the fresh tomatoes.
More Pizza Recipes to Try
If you enjoy different types of pizzas, then you might really enjoy this Buffalo Chicken Pizza recipe. It’s also made on a cauliflower crust, but that can be swapped out for any crust you prefer.
You may also want to try this Focaccia Pizza with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Arugula or this Spinach Ricotta Pizza with Roasted Garlic.
Love this Caprese Pizza recipe? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!
Caprese Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 medium pizza crust * see notes
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil * divided
- 1 clove garlic * minced
- 3 Roma tomatoes * sliced thin
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella log * sliced thin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F.
- Follow the instructions to prepare your pizza crust up to the point of adding the toppings.
- Mix 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil with the garlic and brush onto the crust (you may have extra).
- Alternate layers of tomato and mozzarella slices on top of the crust.
- Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tomatoes are heated through.
- Mix the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil with the dried basil and brush it over the top of the pizza (again, you may have extra).
- Add the balsamic vinegar to a saucepan over medium heat until reduced by half.
- Drizzle the balsamic reduction over the pizza and top with fresh basil leaves.
Notes
Tips and Techniques for the Best Caprese Pizza
- You can use any small to medium size homemade or store bought pizza crust you prefer, including gluten free. This Cauliflower Pizza Crust recipe was used for the images in this post.
- Add some sliced grape tomatoes in addition to the tomato slices for added visual appeal, if desired.
- You will likely not need all the garlic or basil oils. Just use enough to evenly distribute the ingredients.Â
- Store leftover pizza tightly wrapped in the refrigerator. Use within 3-5 days.
