Description
This delightful Zucchini Flower Pizza features a thin, crisp crust topped with melted mozzarella, herby goat cheese-stuffed zucchini flowers, and fragrant fresh basil. Perfect for a light, elegant meal that marries fresh garden flavors with gooey cheese in an easy-to-make baked pizza.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Base
- 1 pizza dough (12-inch circle)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Cheese & Seasonings
- 6 ounces shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (divided)
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 2 ounces goat cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Toppings
- 6 zucchini flowers
- Optional: fresh herbs like sage, thyme, or lemon thyme for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. Place a pizza stone inside the oven if you have one, allowing it to heat up thoroughly for an evenly baked crust.
- Prepare Dough: Stretch the pizza dough out into a 12-inch circle and transfer it onto the heated pizza stone or a baking sheet if not using a stone.
- Add Base Toppings: Brush the dough with olive oil. Spread the shredded mozzarella evenly over the dough’s surface. Then sprinkle half of the kosher salt (1/4 teaspoon), dried oregano, and granulated garlic over the cheese to season.
- Bake Initial Pizza: Place the pizza in the oven and bake for 10 minutes to melt the cheese and start crisping the crust.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: While the pizza bakes, combine the goat cheese, chopped fresh basil, and remaining kosher salt (1/4 teaspoon) in a bowl. Mix well until smooth and evenly combined.
- Stuff Zucchini Flowers: Carefully remove the center stamen or pistil from each zucchini flower to avoid bitterness. Fill each flower gently with a few spoonfuls of the goat cheese mixture, handling the delicate petals with care.
- Add Zucchini Flowers & Continue Baking: After the pizza has baked 10 minutes, remove it briefly from the oven, arrange the stuffed zucchini flowers evenly atop the melted mozzarella, then return the pizza to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes to soften the flowers and meld flavors.
- Finish and Serve: Take the pizza out of the oven, optionally garnish with fresh herbs like sage, thyme, or lemon thyme for an aromatic lift, then slice and serve immediately to enjoy the vibrant, fresh toppings at their best.
Notes
- Using a pizza stone helps achieve a crispier crust but is optional.
- Handle zucchini flowers delicately to avoid tearing.
- Removing the flower’s stamen or pistil is critical to eliminate any bitterness.
- Fresh herbs as garnish add extra depth of flavor and aroma.
- This pizza is best eaten fresh and hot from the oven.
