Description
A delicious Mediterranean Pizza featuring a crispy crust topped with tangy pizza sauce, melted mozzarella, and vibrant toppings including Kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, red pepper, oregano, and crumbled feta cheese. Finished with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh basil for a fresh and flavorful finish.
Ingredients
Pizza Base
- 1 pack store bought pizza dough (approx 440g/15.5oz)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for brushing crust and pan)
Toppings
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1.5 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives, sliced in half
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
- 1/2 red pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 525℉ (273℃). Place a pizza pan inside the oven for 5 minutes to get it hot, then brush it lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Dough: Follow the package instructions for your store-bought dough. On a floured surface or parchment paper, shape the dough into a roughly 12 to 13 inch circle by pressing down the center and stretching it with your hands, or roll it out gently with a rolling pin, keeping a slightly raised outer crust.
- Transfer Dough to Pan: Carefully lift the shaped dough and slide it onto the preheated hot pizza pan to ensure a crispy base.
- Spread the Sauce: Spoon half a cup of pizza sauce onto the dough center and spread it evenly with the back of a spoon, leaving about a one-inch border for the crust.
- Add Mozzarella Cheese: Sprinkle 1.5 cups of grated mozzarella evenly over the sauced dough for a melty, cheesy layer.
- Layer the Toppings: Arrange the red onion slices, halved Kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, sliced red pepper, and dried oregano evenly over the cheese. Then sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top, seasoning with salt and pepper to your taste.
- Brush the Crust: Lightly brush the exposed crust with olive oil to enhance browning and flavor during baking.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the pizza in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the crust turns golden brown and crisp.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Top with fresh basil leaves and an optional drizzle of olive oil, then slice into 8 pieces and serve warm.
Notes
- Using a hot pizza pan helps create a crispy crust similar to a pizza stone.
- You can substitute store-bought pizza sauce with homemade marinara for a fresher flavor.
- Adjust toppings according to preference or dietary restrictions.
- Letting the pizza cool slightly before slicing helps the cheese set and avoids toppings sliding off.
- Fresh basil is optional but adds a fragrant finish.
