Caprese Pizza

Caprese pizza leans on familiar ingredients, but when everything comes together, it lands somewhere more fragrant and more satisfying than you’d expect. A crisp golden crust, gooey slices of fresh mozzarella and a tangle of basil leaves just wilted from residual heat are just a few highlights. Garlic slivers roast right on the dough, perfuming the kitchen and infusing each bite. The tomatoes soften just enough to slump into the melted cheese, their juices mingling with the olive oil in all the right ways.

Our pizza Caprese recipe produces a crust that’s blistered at the edges and sturdy enough to hold its toppings without going soggy. No need to fuss with pizza sauce—the tomato-mozzarella duo does the heavy lifting. A glug of grassy olive oil and a handful of basil torn straight from the bunch finish this fresh ‘za. Serve the vegetarian pizza as a light dinner, or cut it into smaller squares and pass it around—this recipe for Caprese pizza disappears fast.

Caprese Pizza Ingredients

• Pizza crust mix
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Garlic cloves
• Tomato
• Fresh mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil leaves

Directions

Step 1: Prepare and shape the dough

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Prepare the pizza dough according to the package directions. With floured hands, press the dough onto a greased 12-inch pizza pan.

Step 2: Parbake the crust with garlic

Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over the dough and sprinkle with sliced garlic. Bake until the crust is lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes.

Step 3: Add the toppings and finish baking

Top with the thinly sliced tomato and sliced fresh mozzarella. Bake until the cheese is melted, five to seven minutes longer.

Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and top with the fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately.

How to Store Caprese Pizza

Store leftover Caprese pizza in an airtight food storage container in the refrigerator for up to three days. For the best quality, place parchment or waxed paper between slices to prevent sticking.

Caprese Pizza Tips

What goes well with Caprese pizza?

Caprese pizza pairs well with simple sides like a green salad, roasted vegetables or a bowl of tomato soup for a well-rounded meal.

Can you make your own crust for pizza Caprese?

Absolutely! This pizza Caprese recipe starts with uncooked dough, so you can substitute a homemade pizza dough without changing the recipe at all. You can also start with a precooked crust, French bread or a soft flatbread, such as naan—just skip the prebaking step and start by adding the toppings.

What else can you put on pizza Caprese?

Homemade pizza recipes are the perfect opportunity to add what you like, so experiment with pizza toppings. Popular add-ons to any Caprese recipe include artichokes, ripe olives and avocados. For an elegant touch, drizzle your pizza with a balsamic glaze. It’s easy to make; just combine balsamic vinegar and a sweetener—brown sugar, honey or maple syrup—in a small saucepan. The proportions depend on your taste; you can use anywhere from just 1 tablespoon sweetener per 1 cup vinegar all the way to a 1:1 ratio. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until it’s reduced by about one-third.

What’s the best way to reheat pizza Caprese?

Don’t even think about using the microwave—we’ve found the best ways to reheat leftover pizza are on a foil-lined pan in the oven or in a skillet on the stovetop.