Strawberries on a pizza might sound unusual, but tomatoes are technically fruit too, and strawberries roast beautifully in the oven just like tomatoes. When paired with golden melted mozzarella and creamy goat cheese on a whole wheat crust, the result is unexpectedly delicious. Finish with fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic reduction for a bright, balanced pizza.
This recipe is simple to prepare. You can use store-bought dough for convenience or a homemade whole wheat dough if you prefer. For an even quicker meal, try a pre-made flatbread or naan as the base.
If you enjoy the combination of strawberries, goat cheese, basil, and balsamic, you’ll likely love them together on a pizza. The sweet-tart strawberries, creamy cheeses, and tangy reduction create a memorable contrast.
Strawberry, Basil and Balsamic Pizza
- Author: Kathryne Taylor
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices
4.7 from 22 reviews
Strawberries roasted on top of a mozzarella and goat cheese pizza, finished with fresh basil and a balsamic reduction. The contrast of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors makes this pizza surprisingly addictive.
Ingredients
Pizza
- 16 ounces prepared whole wheat pizza dough
- 1 ½ cups (6 ounces) shredded mozzarella
- 5 ounces goat cheese
- 1 ½ cups (about ½ pound) strawberries, leafy ends removed and sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chiffonade
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Balsamic reduction
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). On a floured surface, roll the pizza dough into a 12–14 inch round. Top the dough with shredded mozzarella, large crumbles of goat cheese, and the sliced strawberries. Place on a lightly oiled baking sheet or a pizza stone.
- Bake until the cheese is bubbling and golden, the crust is crisp underneath, and the strawberries are juicy and slightly roasted, about 35–40 minutes.
- While the pizza bakes, make the balsamic reduction: combine the balsamic vinegar and honey in a small saucepan. Simmer gently over medium-low heat until reduced by half, about 10–15 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- When the pizza is done, sprinkle with fresh basil and a grind of black pepper. Slice and lightly drizzle the balsamic reduction over each slice before serving.
Notes
- You’ll have extra balsamic reduction; it’s great on salads, crostini, yogurt, ice cream, or roasted tomatoes.
- Although 350°F is lower than typical pizza temperatures, this method produced a nicely roasted strawberry and a crisp crust in my test. If you prefer, bake at a higher temperature and watch closely until the pizza reaches your desired doneness.
- If you don’t like goat cheese, increase the mozzarella or try feta as an alternative.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate from an online calculator and not a substitute for professional advice.
- Category: Main
- Cuisine: Italian