This easy and adorable mini Caprese Pizza is the perfect summertime dish. It features the familiar ingredients of the classic Italian salad on top of a crispy crust for a satisfying and refreshing twist on pizza.
Perfect for the spring and summer, these mini pizzas are topped with mozzarella, juicy ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil. Add a balsamic glaze and you’ve got yourself a fun new way to enjoy caprese salad and pizza all in one dish!
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🩵 About This Recipe
Looking for a light and refreshing dish that's perfect for a summer afternoon? This super quick and simple pizza with basil and mozzarella is bursting with the fresh flavors of caprese salad!
Great for entertaining or even for an easy weeknight dinner, these mini pizzas come together in minutes. Customize to your preferences and even let your guests or family make their own!
And if you love this classic flavor combo, you need to try these Caprese Stuffed Mushrooms or some easy and filling Baked Avocados!
🧂 Ingredients Needed
- cherry tomatoes - provide a pop of gorgeous red color and their signature balance of acidity and sweetness.
- basil - another crucial caprese ingredient that adds a fresh green hue and some herbal flavor.
- naan rounds - these work perfectly as crusts for these mini pizzas!
- pizza sauce - feel free to use your favorite pizza or marinara sauce.
- shredded mozzarella cheese - fresh mozzarella is a classic component of caprese salad, so using shredded mozzarella like you'd find on any regular pizza is the perfect way to tie these dishes together!
- pepper - provides a subtle heat and warmth that enhances the overall taste profile.
- arugula - adds some additional nutrition and a slight peppery flavor.
- balsamic glaze - helps tie everything together with a sweet and tangy taste!
🔪 Instructions
Slice Tomatoes
Cut the cherry tomatoes in half.
Dice Basil
Arrange the fresh basil leaves into rolls and chop them into thin strips.
Assemble Pizzas
Arrange the naan rounds on a baking sheet and add as much pizza sauce and shredded cheese as you like.
Add Toppings
Place the cherry tomato halves and basil strips on top of the cheese and season with black pepper.
Bake and Garnish
Bake your pizzas for 15 to 20 minutes, then top with arugula and balsamic glaze.
Allow everyone to make their own mini pizza before baking to ensure that each serving is perfect!
❔ FAQs
The original salad is believed to have originated on the island of Capri in Italy. All three of the original ingredients (mozzarella, tomato, and basil) are said to represent the colors of the Italian flag.
Both of these pizza varieties are made with most of the same ingredients! This caprese pizza has arugula and a balsamic glaze, which sets it apart from the delicious simplicity of a margherita pizza, which usually just includes tomato, mozzarella, and basil.
If possible, buying a block of mozzarella and shredding or grating it yourself is preferable to buying shredded cheese. Most store bought shredded cheese is coated in a thin layer of cellulose or potato starch, which prevents the cheese from sticking together but also makes it harder to melt the cheese.
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- You can also use this recipe to make one regular sized pizza! Opt for a pizza shell instead of the mini naan rounds.
- The arugula and balsamic glaze are optional but add lots of character and flavor to your mini pizzas.
- If possible, I recommend using fresh basil whenever you can! It's super easy to grow your own basil on your kitchen windowsill, or just look for a bundle of nice fresh basil at the store.
- Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat for easier cleanup.
This recipe for mini caprese pizza is the perfect way to add a slight twist to your pizza night. The whole family will love a caprese pizza with balsamic glaze and healthy arugula!
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- Instead of the shredded mozzarella, you could use fresh mozzarella and cut it into thin rounds.
- Grape tomatoes work just as well as cherry tomatoes, and you can even buy regular tomatoes and chop them into bite-sized pieces.
- Use these pizzas as a base for other toppings as well! Add mushrooms, pepperoni, salami, red peppers, spinach, olives, red pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese, red onion, or whatever you like on your pizza!
- The naan rounds are convenient, but you can also use pizza dough and roll it into small circles. You may need two servings of pizza dough to make all 6 of the pizzas this recipe calls for.
- Feel free to use another kind of shredded cheese if you prefer.
- Use fresh oregano or thyme for some more flavor.
🥡 Storage and Reheating
Keep leftover caprese pizza in an airtight container or wrapped well in plastic, in aluminum foil, or in a sealable plastic bag. They'll be good in the fridge for 3 to 4 days, and can also be frozen.
I recommend popping them back in the oven at 350 degrees F to reheat--microwaving will result in soggy crust. You can also air fry them! And you can reheat your pizza from frozen as well, with a couple of extra minutes in the oven.
⏳ Make Ahead Instructions
Prepare your pizzas ahead of time and store them in the freezer until it's time to bake them! Keep them wrapped individually in plastic or in an airtight container. You can bake them right from frozen, though they may need a few additional minutes of cooking time.
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
This pizza with basil and mozzarella pairs perfectly with a light and refreshing side like Cucumber Salad or a Kale Caesar Salad, a healthy veggie like Air Fryer Broccoli, or this quick Parmesan Garlic Bread! If you're bringing these along to a barbecue or picnic, other great side dish options include this Fruit and Vegetable Salad or a Chickpea Pasta Salad.
😋 More Pizza Recipes You'll Love
- Crab Pizza with Bacon and Spinach - Seafood lovers must try this crab-topped pizza!
- Bacon Pizza with Caramelized Onions - Savory and elegant, this pizza combines smoky bacon with delicious onions.
- Homemade Pizza Seasoning - The perfect way to instantly infuse any store bought pizza sauce with authentic and delicious flavor.
- Strawberry Pizza - This recipe from Cocktails and Appetizers takes pizza and turns it into a sweet and fruity dessert!
Mini Pizza with Basil and Mozzarella
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📋 Recipe Card
Mini Caprese Pizza
Ingredients
- ¼ cup cherry tomatoes
- 3-4 basil leaves
- 6 mini naan rounds
- ½ cup pizza sauce or marinara
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoons balsamic glaze
- ¼ cup arugula
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Slice the cherry tomatoes.¼ cup cherry tomatoes
- Place the basil leaves in a stack, roll them up, and cut into thin strips.3-4 basil leaves
- Place the naan rounds on a baking sheet and divide the pizza sauce over the them, then distribute the cheese.6 mini naan rounds, ½ cup pizza sauce or marinara, ½ cup shredded mozzarella
- Place the cherry tomatoes and sliced basil on top of the shredded cheese. Season with black pepper.½ teaspoon black pepper
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Top with balsamic glaze and arugula prior to serving.1 tablespoons balsamic glaze, ¼ cup arugula
Notes
- Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
- In a hurry? Use pre-chopped basil or basil paste available in jars to skip slicing fresh basil.
- If you don’t have balsamic glaze, make a quick balsamic reduction by simmering balsamic vinegar with a bit of honey or brown sugar until thickened.
- For an extra crispy finish, switch to broil mode for the last 1-2 minutes of baking (watch closely to prevent burning).
- Let the pizzas cool slightly before topping with arugula and balsamic glaze to maintain the fresh, crisp texture of the arugula.
- If desired, use mini pita breads, English muffins, or sliced baguette as an alternative to mini naan rounds.
- Try different cheeses like fresh mozzarella slices, provolone, or feta for a unique twist.
- Add some fresh oregano, thyme, or a mix of Italian herbs for additional flavor.
- Some other topping suggestions include as sliced olives, roasted red peppers, or thinly sliced red onions.
- To prepare these ahead of time, gather all the toppings in advance and store them in separate containers in the refrigerator. Assemble the pizzas just before baking.
- Tip for making a large batch: Use additional baking trays and rotate them in the oven halfway through for even cooking.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
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Happy cooking!
Paula
These mini pizzas were so tasty! The caprese topping was incredible too.
Katherine
The mini naan bases were perfect for these pizzas!
TAYLER ROSS
We made these mini pizzas for dinner last night and they were delicious! The kids thought they were so fun!
Elizabeth
I love the flavor combo in these pizzas. There's just something about balsamic vinegar and basil! Thank you so much for sharing.
Ashley
I love the idea of using naan as the pizza crust! Such an easy and fun way to make pizza. Will be doing this all summer!