Caprese pizza is a thin-crust pizza topped with fresh mozzarella, roasted tomatoes, and basil over a basil pesto base instead of tomato sauce. This recipe from Pronto Pizza & Restaurant makes one caprese pizza in about 30 minutes. It covers the ingredients, the step-by-step method, storage, and common questions.
What Is Caprese Pizza?
Caprese pizza is a pizza version of the Italian Caprese salad, which combines tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil. This recipe replaces tomato sauce with a quick basil pesto, then adds roasted tomatoes and torn fresh mozzarella on a thin crust. Prep time is 15 minutes and cook time is about 14 minutes, for roughly 29 minutes total.
Ingredients for Caprese Pizza
The ingredients for one caprese pizza are grouped by base, toppings, and sauce below.
Base
- 1 lb store-bought or homemade pizza dough
- Olive oil, for brushing
Toppings
- 1 to 2 cups cherry tomatoes (or Roma or heirloom)
- 6 to 8 oz fresh mozzarella, torn or sliced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Basil Sauce (quick pesto)
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 to 3 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper
To save time, use store-bought pesto in place of the homemade basil sauce.
How to Make Caprese Pizza
Follow the six steps below to make one caprese pizza.
- Roast the tomatoes. Quarter the cherry tomatoes, place them on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast at 450°F (232°C) for 9 to 10 minutes, until slightly blistered, then set aside.
- Make the basil sauce. Pulse the basil leaves, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a food processor until the mix forms a paste, scraping the sides as needed.
- Roll out the dough. Roll the dough into a 14.5-inch round for thin crust, or 12 to 13 inches for a thicker base, then place it on a pizza stone, pan, or baking sheet.
- Assemble the pizza. Spread the basil sauce over the dough, add the roasted tomatoes, and scatter the torn fresh mozzarella on top. Brush the crust edges with olive oil for a crisper edge.
- Bake. Bake in an oven preheated to 450°F, or up to 500°F if the oven allows, for 12 to 14 minutes, until the cheese bubbles and the crust turns golden.
- Garnish and serve. Add fresh basil leaves after baking, then slice and serve with a side salad.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftover caprese pizza and reheat it as follows.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheat slices in a 300°F oven for 5 to 10 minutes to keep the crust crisp.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is caprese pizza?
Caprese pizza is a pizza based on the Italian Caprese salad, topped with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, often on a pesto base instead of tomato sauce.
Can I use regular shredded mozzarella?
Yes, though fresh mozzarella gives a creamier texture and a more authentic Caprese flavor.
What kind of tomatoes are best?
Cherry tomatoes work best, and Roma or heirloom tomatoes also work well.
Can I use store-bought pesto?
Yes. Store-bought pesto saves time and still gives a strong basil flavor.
How long does caprese pizza take to make?
Caprese pizza takes about 30 minutes, with 15 minutes of prep and 14 minutes of baking.
Last Thoughts on Caprese Pizza
Caprese pizza is a lighter pizza that swaps tomato sauce for basil pesto and uses fresh mozzarella with roasted tomatoes on a thin crust. The recipe takes about 30 minutes at home. To skip the cooking, order a caprese pizza from Pronto for delivery in Sayreville, browse the full Pronto Pizza menu, try the related pan Margherita pizza recipe, or read about the different types of cheese used on pizza.