If you love the simple, fresh flavors of a classic caprese salad, this Caprese Pizza recipe will become your new favorite. With cream fresh mozzarella, sweet rip tomatoes, and fragrant basil layered on a crisp pizza crust, every bit will feel like a taste of summer in Italy.
This pizza pairs perfectly with my homemade pesto sauce - drizzle it on top for an extra burst of flavor!
This was inspired by my perfect Pizza Dough recipe on this site, and my easy to make Puff Pastry Pizza.
Visit my recipe box for some more great recipe ideas inspired by Italian tradition!
Jump to:
- Here's Why You'll Love this Dish
- What's the difference between Pizza Mozzarella and Fresh Mozzarella?
- Did you know?
- Ingredients
- How to Make Caprese Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella
- Top Tips
- What to Serve with Caprese Pizza
- Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
- More Side Dishes
- Recipe Details
- Top Tips
- PIN it for later here
- Food Safety
- Comments
Here's Why You'll Love this Dish
- comforting food and texture of a crispy gold crust and cheesy flavor and pesto combination
- can be served as a main dish or as an appetizer
- pesto adds a rich savory flavor with pairs well with the mozzarella
- healthier version to traditional pizza dishes
Craving that fresh, vibrant pesto flavor? You can easily make it from scratch at home! Try my classic homemade pesto sauce recipe for a bold and fragrant boost to your meals, or if you're avoiding dairy, my dairy-free vegan pesto sauce recipe is just as rich and satisfying without the cheese. Either one is perfect for pastas, pizzas, sandwiches, and more and they only take minutes to whip up.
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What's the difference between Pizza Mozzarella and Fresh Mozzarella?
Pizza mozzarella is firmer and has a lower moisture. It melts evenly and has a stretch elastic texture when baked. It's milk but slightly saltier than fresh mozzarella cheese and is preferred for class pizza varieties.
Soft Cheese Mozzarella or fresh mozzarella has a higher-moisture level and is delicate. It's usually sold in a brine or vacuum sealed package. It's creamy and milk with a freshy, milky taste. It tends to release moisture when cooked, which can make some dishes wetter and it's commonly used in Caprese salads and specialty pizzas.
Did you know?
Pesto sauce is usually added to recipes just before they are served because cooking with pesto changes the flavor profile.
In this caprese pizza recipe, we use it as a base sauce, but then we add more pesto sauce on top of the pizza after baking to preserve the fresh, savory flavor of the pesto sauce.
Ingredients
To make this easy to make caprese pizza you'll need: pizza dough - store bought or homemade pizza dough, olive oil, tomatoes, soft cheese mozzarella, pesto sauce - store bought or homemade pesto sauce is best because it's fresh, balsamic glaze, salt and pepper.
For exact measurement details and directions see recipe card...
How to Make Caprese Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella
Preheat oven to 400℉. Prepare a baking sheet by greasing it. Set aside.
Stretch out your pizza dough as much as needed on a floured surface and gently transfer to a greased baking sheet.
Brush the sides and centre of pizza with olive oil. Using a spoon spread some pesto over the pizza.
Begin to arrange the tomato and soft fresh mozzarella slices on the pizza, alternating between the two ingredients. Season with salt and pepper.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Rotate the pan if necessary mid-way.
Remove from oven. Combine the pesto and olive oil and spoon it over the pizza.
Drizzle some balsamic glaze over the pizza and add a few fresh basil leaves for extra flavor. Cut and serve immediately.
Storage:
Caprese pizza stores well either wrapped in aluminum foil or in an airtight container refrigerated for 3 to 4 days.
To re-heat, place in the oven for 5 to 8 minutes at 350F until crispy.
Freezing caprese pizza is possible but the flavors may taste slightly different once thawed out and re-heated.
Top Tips
Oven - Remember to preheat your oven for 10 to 15 minutes before placing your pizza in the oven to bake.
Fresh Mozzarella - don't be confused with Pizza Mozzarella they are two different products.
Brush Oil - remember to brush the sides of the pizza with olive oil as this will result in a crispy golden crust.
Baking Sheet - grease your baking sheet so that the pizza does not stick to the bottom.
What to Serve with Caprese Pizza
Some great options to serve with pizza are:
- Burrata Salad with Pesto Sauce
- Mom's Pickled Eggplant
- Charcuterie Board
- Roasted Tomato Soup
- Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Grilled Shrimp on the Barbecue
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
The dough can be prepared ahead of time, but it is best to assemble and bake the pizza just before serving to preserve the freshness of the ingredients.
Properly stored in an airtight container, cooked pizza is generally safe to eat for up to 3 to 4 days when kept in the refrigerator.
Typically you can get 8 to 10 slices from a large pizza depending on how large the slices are cut and the shape of the pizza.
More Side Dishes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Recipe Details
Caprese Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella and Pesto Sauce
https://easyhomemaderecipes.caEquipment
Ingredients
- 21 oz pizza dough store bought or homemade
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 11 oz tomato 1 large tomato, sliced
- 8½ oz Soft Cheese Mozzarella Thinly sliced (not to be confused with Pizza Mozzarella)
- 2 tbsp pesto sauce store bought or homemade
- salt and pepper to taste
Toppings Once Removed from Oven
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp pesto sauce
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
- 5-6 fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉. Prepare a baking sheet by greasing it. Set aside.
- Stretch out your pizza dough as much as needed on a floured surface and gently transfer to a greased baking sheet.21 oz pizza dough
- Brush the sides and centre of pizza with olive oil. Using a spoon spread some pesto over the pizza.2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp pesto sauce
- Begin to arrange the tomato and soft fresh mozzarella slices on the pizza, alternating between the two ingredients. Season with salt and pepper.11 oz tomato, 8½ oz Soft Cheese Mozzarella, salt and pepper to taste
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Rotate the pan if necessary mid-way.
- Remove from oven. Combine the pesto and olive oil and spoon it over the pizza.2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp pesto sauce
- Drizzle some balsamic glaze over the pizza and add a few fresh basil leaves for extra flavor. Cut and serve immediately.2 tbsp balsamic glaze, 5-6 fresh basil leaves
Notes
Top Tips
Oven - Remember to preheat your oven for 10 to 15 minutes before placing your pizza in the oven to bake. Fresh Mozzarella - don't be confused with Pizza Mozzarella they are two different products. Brush Oil - remember to brush the sides of the pizza with olive oil as this will result in a crispy golden crust. Baking Sheet - grease your baking sheet so that the pizza does not stick to the bottom.Nutrition
PIN it for later here
Food Safety
Note that the storage guidelines provided on this page and site are estimates from personal experiences. We are all adults and as an adult you are responsible to ensure that the food you eat is safe to eat. Since, I'm not a food safety expert, you are responsible to review your local guidelines on food storage prior to storing any food left-overs.
Remember to:
- Not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
For Canadian Guidelines check the Government of Canada Food Safety Guidelines or see more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Kim says
This pizza was so good. I can't wait to make it again!!
AmyG says
There's something about pizza with simple ingredients! Glad you like it
Jaleah says
This pizza is so delicious!! The fresh mozzarella and pesto sauce really add to it.
AmyG says
You are so right. Glad you liked it!
jill says
I loved this recipe, worked out exactly how you described!
AmyG says
Glad you liked it!
Ashley says
This was so yummy and easy to make! Perfect for busy weeknights!
AmyG says
That's great to hear!
Lathiya says
Thank you for sharing such an easy recipe. My kids loved it as after-school snack. I also baked it again for dinner last night.
AmyG says
My pleasure, glad your kids liked it!
Paula says
This was fantastic! Loved the caprese flavors with the pesto!
AmyG says
So glad you liked it!
amy liu dong says
The pesto adds a vibrant twist to classic Caprese flavors. This was really good my husband came back for more!
AmyG says
Glad you guys liked it and it's always good when they come back for seconds!