The solution for your quick dinners: puff pastry pizza!
Who among us hasn’t wished for a delicious dinner without spending hours cooking?
Especially when life is a whirlwind of commitments, racing against time, and days that seem endless. Well, I’m one of those people! Between work, family, and a thousand activities, sometimes getting to the evening and thinking about cooking feels like mission impossible.
I still remember that time when, after a never-ending day, I came home with a rumbling stomach and zero desire to cook. The fridge was half-empty, fatigue was overwhelming, and all I wanted was a hot and tasty meal, but right away!
And in that moment of despair, opening the pantry, I saw it: the roll of puff pastry, my savior! In a few minutes, with simple ingredients and a hint of creativity, I improvised a puff pastry pizza that saved the evening (and my stomach!).
Since then, it has become my go-to recipe, perfect for when time is short and the desire to cook is even shorter.
Today I want to share with you this easy and quick recipe that will allow you to enjoy a delicious pizza without stress and in no time.
Ready to discover how to make the best puff pastry pizza you’ve ever tasted?
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Rest time: 10 Minutes
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 2
- Cooking methods: Electric Oven, Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
- Energy 643.43 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 42.88 (g) of which sugars 0.02 (g)
- Proteins 17.34 (g)
- Fat 45.79 (g) of which saturated 26.21 (g)of which unsaturated 0.12 (g)
- Fibers 1.02 (g)
- Sodium 483.72 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 320 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 1 puff pastry roll
- 7 oz tomato sauce
- 1 buffalo mozzarella
- 1 drizzle extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pinch black pepper
- to taste oregano
Tools
- 1 Pizza Cutter
Steps
Prepare the base and the crispy crust:
Roll out the puff pastry on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Using a fork, gently prick the surface of the pastry, avoiding the edges. This will prevent the pastry from puffing up too much during baking.In a bowl, pour the tomato sauce and season it with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of salt, and a sprinkle of oregano. Mix well to combine the ingredients.
Spread the tomato sauce over the base of the pastry, leaving a free edge of about 0.79 inches.
For a gourmet touch and irresistible crunchiness, use another puff pastry roll to create a crust: cut strips and place them along the edge of the pizza, pressing slightly to adhere them.
Bake the pizza base in a preheated oven at 392°F for 7-8 minutes. This will allow the puff pastry to start cooking and become slightly golden.
Add the mozzarella and your favorite ingredients:
While the base is baking, focus on the mozzarella.
Dice the buffalo mozzarella and let it drain in a colander to remove excess liquid. This step is crucial to prevent the mozzarella from releasing too much water during baking, making the pizza soggy.
After 8 minutes, carefully remove the tray from the oven. Distribute the buffalo mozzarella over the pizza base, making sure to cover the entire surface.
At this point, unleash your creativity and add the ingredients you prefer!
You can use grilled vegetables, cold cuts, cheeses, or any other ingredient you have in the fridge.
In this case, my fridge was truly empty, and I just added some pitted Taggiasca olives, which will give a touch of Mediterranean flavor to my pizza.
Finish baking and enjoy your pizza:
Put the tray back in the oven and finish baking for another 10-15 minutes or until the mozzarella is completely melted and stretchy, and the crust is golden and crispy.
Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing it.
This will allow the mozzarella to set and the flavors to meld together.
Once the pizza has slightly cooled, transfer it to a wooden cutting board.
With a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, divide it into slices of the desired size. Arrange the pizza slices on a serving plate or individual plates.
For a touch of freshness, serve the pizza with a mixed salad or seasonal vegetables.
Complete the meal with your favorite drink: a refreshing soda, fruit juice, or a good glass of wine. Enjoy your meal!
Here are some tips for storing your puff pastry pizza and some delicious variations to personalize it:
Storage: At room temperature:
If you plan to consume the pizza within a few hours of baking, you can store it at room temperature, covered with a clean towel or plastic wrap. * In the refrigerator: If you have leftovers, you can store the pizza in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. To prevent the puff pastry from losing its crunchiness, I recommend wrapping it in aluminum foil or storing it in an airtight container.
Reheating: To best enjoy leftover pizza, reheat it in the oven at 356°F for a few minutes or in a pan with a little oil.
Variations: White pizza: Omit the tomato sauce and create a white pizza with mozzarella, various cheeses, and vegetables to taste.
Pesto pizza: Replace the tomato sauce with Genoese pesto for a touch of Ligurian flavor.
Sweet pizza: For a tasty snack or an original dessert, spread puff pastry with Nutella or jam and add fresh fruit to taste.
Puff pastry calzone: Fold the puff pastry in half, creating a calzone filled with the ingredients of your choice.
Mini pizzas: Cut the puff pastry with a cookie cutter or glass to create mini pizzas, perfect for an aperitif or buffet.
Extra tips: For even crispier puff pastry, brush it with a beaten egg yolk before baking.
Add a pinch of sugar to the tomato sauce to balance the acidity.
If using frozen ingredients, make sure they are completely thawed before using.
Experiment with different herbs to customize the flavor of your pizza, such as fresh basil, rosemary, or thyme.
With these tips and variations, your puff pastry pizza will always be a success!
Wine to Pair with Puff Pastry Pizza:
The choice of wine for your puff pastry pizza depends greatly on the ingredients you’ve used. Here are some general ideas and some more specific advice:
In general, with puff pastry, you can pair well with:
Light and fresh white wines: Pinot Grigio, Vermentino, Sauvignon Blanc.
Their acidity balances the richness of the puff pastry and cleanses the palate.
Sparkling wines:
Prosecco, Franciacorta, Trento DOC. The bubbles cut through the richness and make the meal more lively.
Rosés:
Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, Bardolino Chiaretto. A versatile option that suits many tastes. Considering your ingredients (mozzarella, Taggiasca olives):
Vermentino di Sardegna: Fragrant and savory, pairs well with mozzarella and olives.
Falanghina: A Campanian white with fruity and floral notes, excellent with buffalo mozzarella.
Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro: Sparkling with a slight tannic note, pairs with olives and puff pastry.
If you added other ingredients…
Vegetables: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay (not too oaked)
Cold cuts: Lambrusco di Sorbara, Pinot Noir
Strong cheeses: Gewürztraminer, Riesling
A final tip:
Don’t be afraid to experiment!
Food and wine pairing is very personal, so try different options and find out which one you prefer.
FAQ
Can I use frozen puff pastry?
Yes, you can use frozen puff pastry, but make sure to thaw it completely before using. Leave it in the fridge for a few hours or at room temperature for about an hour, following the instructions on the package.
How can I prevent puff pastry from puffing too much during baking?
To prevent puff pastry from puffing up excessively, prick the surface with a fork before adding the toppings. This will allow steam to escape during baking, keeping the pastry flatter.
What can I use instead of mozzarella?
If you don’t have mozzarella or want to try something different, you can use other cheeses like smoked scamorza, provolone, gorgonzola, fontina, or emmental. You can also add a mix of cheeses for a richer taste.
Can I prepare puff pastry pizza in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the pizza base with the tomato sauce in advance and store it in the fridge for a few hours. Add the mozzarella and other ingredients just before baking.
How can I make puff pastry crispier?
For even crispier puff pastry, brush it with a beaten egg yolk before baking. You can also add a pinch of sugar to the tomato sauce to enhance browning.
Can puff pastry pizza be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze cooked puff pastry pizza. Allow it to cool completely, then wrap it in aluminum foil or place it in an airtight container. To thaw, leave it in the fridge for a few hours and then reheat it in the oven.
