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If you love the fresh flavors of a Caprese salad, you’re definitely going to enjoy this mouthwatering sheet pan Caprese pizza for dinner tonight. Refrigerated pizza dough is topped with two kinds of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, aromatic basil leaves, and a sweet balsamic glaze. Perfect for a quick, light, and fresh meal, this semi-homemade caprese pizza is a delightful change of pace that feels extra special, whether it’s a weeknight or a cozy night in. Rather than using tomato sauce, fresh garlic and olive oil are used to make this wonderful pizza. If you are looking for a pizza recipe that’s aromatic, homemade and easy, this one ticks all the boxes.
Enjoy a burst of fresh flavor with this simple yet truly tasty Caprese pizza recipe. Taste the sunny island flavors of Capri in every bite!
Also try heart-shaped pizza, margherita pizza and pizza bagel bites. Sheet pan lasagna and hamburger steak are also delicious!
Why You’ll Love It
Really easy: You don’t have to make your own pizza dough. Just grab refrigerated pizza dough from the store and roll it out. After that you simply need to top it and bake!
So fresh-tasting: Fresh tomatoes, fresh garlic, fresh mozzarella, and fresh basil leaves give this delicious sheet pan pizza Caprese so much wonderfully aromatic flavor.
Customize-able: You can change up the recipe if you want, adding more pizza toppings. Anything from prosciutto to anchovies or thinly sliced mushrooms would be tasty on your pizza.
Easy Caprese Pizza Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Refrigerated pizza dough: You can make your own favorite pizza dough if you prefer, but refrigerated canned pizza dough saves you time and effort (and tastes good!)
Fresh tomatoes: I like to use a vine tomato and some grape tomatoes, but feel free to mix and match as you like. Cherry tomatoes and summertime heirloom tomatoes would be wonderful as well.
Garlic: To add a fragrant flavor. Omit it if you aren’t a garlic lover.
Fresh mozzarella cheese: You could use shredded mozzarella but the wonderful flavor of fresh mozzarella is so much nicer on this pizza. Use either buffalo mozzarella cheese or regular fresh mozzarella.
Fresh basil leaves: These are used as a garnish because if you were to add them before baking the pizza they’d wilt and lose most of their aromatic flavor.
Balsamic glaze: To add a touch of sweetness (this one is my fave!)
How to Make a Sheet Pan Caprese Pizza
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card
Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Prepare the dough: Unroll the dough on a greased baking sheet, brush oil over it and then sprinkle the garlic on there.
Add the toppings: Add the mozzarella and sliced tomatoes, and season with kosher salt and pepper.
Bake the pizza: Bake in a preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until done.
The finishing touches: Garnish with fresh basil and drizzle balsamic glaze on top. Slice and serve hot.
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pizza dough (I had great results with this one!)
Different toppings: Use any kind of tomatoes you like, another kind of fresh cheese, and any additional toppings you want.
Individual pizzas: Instead of making one large rectangular pizza, you can make individual ones instead.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizers: In keeping with the Italian theme, you might like to begin the meal with melon prosciutto salad or homemade minestrone.
Side dishes: Pair the Caprese pizza with Italian rice salad or focaccia.
For dessert: Limoncello panna cotta or Italian lemon cake makes a wonderful dessert.
How to Store Caprese Pizza
Store: Keep leftovers for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Freeze: Freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Choose from the microwave, a toaster oven or the oven to warm it back up.
Top Tips
Pizza dough instructions: Different pizza dough varieties have different cooking times so check the instructions on the package.
Shaping the dough: Stretch the dough into a rectangle, oval or even heart-shaped individual pizzas if you like.
The perfect doneness: Depending on your oven, it can take anywhere between 10 and 15 minutes to bake the pizza. It’s done when the cheese is melted and bubbling and the crust is golden brown on the edges.
Caprese Pizza Recipe FAQs
Prosciutto, salami or pancetta add a light meaty flavor, or you could add vegetables such as mushrooms, onion or artichoke. Capers, olives and anchovies are great on homemade pizzas too. Sprinkle garlic powder or dried oregano on the pizza if you want, or red chili flakes if you prefer a touch of heat.
Yes, you can use a pizza pan or a sheet pan, as you prefer. Using a pizza pan with perforations helps the bottom of the crust to crisp up. Another option would be a parchment lined baking sheet.
Caprese refers to the Italian island of Capri. Caprese salad (tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil drizzled with Italian olive oil) refers to the famous salad that originated in Capri.
This sweet glaze adds a touch of sweetness to the pizza and contrasts well with the other flavors. You can buy it, make your own or, if you don’t want it, omit it altogether. If you use a balsamic glaze, go sparingly – it’s thick and sweet and a little goes a long way.
Sheet Pan Caprese Pizza Recipe
Caprese Pizza
Ingredients
- 13.8 Ounces pizza dough, refrigerated
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 Cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tomato, on the vine, sliced
- ¼ Cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 4 Ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
- ½ Teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ Teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- ¼ Cup basil leaves, fresh, thinly sliced, for garnish
- balsamic glaze, Store-bought, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Unroll the dough into a rectangle on a greased baking sheet.
- Brush olive oil evenly over the dough and sprinkle minced garlic on top.
- Arrange mozzarella slices evenly over dough and top with sliced tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the crust is browned and the cheese is bubbly.
- Remove pizza from oven, garnish with fresh basil, and drizzle balsamic glaze over the top. Cut into slices and serve warm.
Notes
Shaping the dough: Stretch the dough into a rectangle, oval or even heart-shaped individual pizzas if you like.
The perfect doneness: Depending on your oven, it can take anywhere between 10 and 15 minutes to bake the pizza. It’s done when the cheese is melted and bubbling and the crust is golden brown on the edges.
Nutrition
This beautiful Caprese pizza is a simple weeknight dinner that you can have on the table in under half an hour. Fresh ingredients abound – mozzarella, tomatoes, garlic, and basil – for the best taste. Paired with anything from a side salad to grilled veggies or even some grilled meat, this easy recipe for Caprese pizza is going to be something the whole family craves on repeat. Whether you’re looking for ways to use your garden tomatoes or you simply love the Caprese flavors, this recipe is a winner.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
This Caprese pizza was so fresh and tasty! The balsamic glaze added a perfect touch.
This Caprese pizza is so fresh and flavorful! Perfect for a quick, cozy night in.
My family adores this dish, they’re always asking for it.
You had me at Caprese. I just love all things tomatoes, basil, and burrata.
I’m glad i made this yesterday! It was a hit! So perfect!