Name: Mortadella Pizza Sandwich
Prep time: PT-488189H44M48S
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 13 h 45 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 3 1/2 cups King Arthur ’00’ pizza flour, plus more for dusting; 1 tsp instant or active dry yeast; 1 tsp granulated sugar; 1 1/2 tsp table salt; 1 1/3 cups lukewarm water; 2 tbsp olive oil, plus more for brushing; 8 oz burrata (or fresh mozzarella/ricotta); 1 lemon (zest and juice); 8 oz mortadella, thinly sliced; 1/3 cup roasted and salted pistachios, roughly chopped; 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese, grated; 1/8 tsp freshly ground nutmeg; Red pepper flakes, to taste (optional); Flaky sea salt, to taste (optional)

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Combines the smoky, savory flavor of mortadella with creamy cheese and toasted pistachios.
Uses homemade Neapolitan-style pizza dough for authentic texture.
The lemon zest and nutmeg add a bright, aromatic twist.
Perfect balance of creamy, salty, nutty, and zesty flavors.
A creative alternative to traditional pizza or sandwiches.

Mortadella Pizza Sandwich

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Dough:

King Arthur ‘00’ pizza flour, plus more for dusting
Instant or active dry yeast
Granulated sugar
Table salt
Lukewarm water

Fillings:

Olive oil
Burrata, fresh mozzarella, or ricotta
Lemon (zest and juice)
Mortadella, thinly sliced
Roasted and salted pistachios, roughly chopped
Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground nutmeg
Red pepper flakes (optional)
Flaky sea salt (optional)

Directions

Mix flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Add water and stir into a rough dough. Rest 30 minutes.
Perform a series of bowl folds, then cover and let rise 12 to 24 hours at room temperature.
Divide dough in half and preshape into balls. Rest 45 to 60 minutes.
Preheat oven with baking steel or stone to 500°F for at least 30 minutes.
Shape dough into 9–10 inch rounds, brush with olive oil, and fold into half-moons.
Bake 4 to 5 minutes, then broil 2 to 3 minutes until golden and charred in spots.
Cool slightly, then gently open pockets.
Fill with burrata, mortadella, lemon zest and juice, pistachios, Parmesan, nutmeg, and olive oil.
Close sandwiches, brush with olive oil, and garnish with more pistachios and Parmesan.

Servings and timing

Servings: 4 (2 large sandwiches)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Rise time: 12 to 24 hours
Bake time: 6 to 8 minutes
Total time: about 13 hours 45 minutes

Variations

Use salami instead of mortadella.
Try ricotta for a lighter filling or gorgonzola for stronger flavor.
Add arugula or fresh basil for a peppery, herbal touch.
Sprinkle with truffle oil for an elevated finish.
Use toasted walnuts or hazelnuts instead of pistachios.

Storage/Reheating

Mortadella pizza sandwiches are best eaten fresh from the oven. If storing, keep the baked but unfilled dough in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, wrap in foil and warm in a 300°F oven for 5 to 10 minutes until heated through.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought pizza dough?

Yes, store-bought dough works if you don’t have time to make it from scratch, though the texture will differ slightly.

What’s the best cheese to use if I can’t find burrata?

Fresh mozzarella or ricotta are great alternatives.

Can I bake these on a regular baking sheet instead of a stone?

Yes, but the crust may not be as crisp. Preheating the sheet can help.

How thin should I slice the mortadella?

As thin as possible—deli-sliced mortadella works best for layering.

Do I need to toast the pistachios?

Pre-roasted and salted pistachios add better flavor and crunch, but raw can be used if that’s what you have.

Can I prepare the dough in advance?

Yes, the dough can be made up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated after the first rise.

Is this sandwich kid-friendly?

Yes, but you can skip the nutmeg, red pepper flakes, and pistachios for a milder version.

How do I know when the dough is properly baked?

It should be golden brown with some charred spots and sound hollow when tapped.

Can I freeze the baked dough?

Yes, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven before filling.

Can I add vegetables to the filling?

Yes, roasted peppers, zucchini, or caramelized onions make delicious additions.

Conclusion

This mortadella pizza sandwich brings the essence of Italian street food into your kitchen. With chewy, bubbly dough filled with creamy cheese, savory mortadella, crunchy pistachios, and zesty lemon, every bite is indulgent yet balanced. Perfect for sharing, it’s a versatile dish that feels both casual and refined.