Zesty Lemon Mozzarella Pizza Recipe

Introduction

This Zesty Lemon Mozzarella Pizza offers a bright and refreshing twist on the classic pizza. Combining tangy lemon flavors with creamy mozzarella, it’s a light yet satisfying dish perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 ball easy pizza dough (or store-bought dough)
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 small garlic clove, grated
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon fine salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 150 grams fresh mozzarella (or ½ to ⅓ cup shredded firm mozzarella)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (for finishing)
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (for garnish)
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Follow your easy no-knead pizza dough recipe through shaping the dough and preheating your oven with a pizza stone or baking surface.
2. Step 2: If using fresh mozzarella in water, cut into ½ inch thick slices and gently pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
3. Step 3: Place the dough on parchment paper and gently press it out with your fingers from the center until it measures about 9×13 inches. Transfer the dough onto a pizza peel or the back of a rimmed baking sheet.
4. Step 4: In a glass jar with a lid, combine olive oil, water, chopped parsley, grated garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Shake well until emulsified.
5. Step 5: Make dimples in the stretched dough with your fingers and evenly scatter the lemon brine over it, filling the dimples. Arrange the mozzarella cheese over the dough.
6. Step 6: Carefully slide the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the crust and cheese are golden brown. Oven times may vary, so watch closely.
7. Step 7: Once baked, drizzle the pizza with fresh lemon juice, sprinkle parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, and add freshly ground black pepper. Slice and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Use shredded firm mozzarella if fresh mozzarella is not available, but fresh is preferred for creaminess.
• If you like a bit of heat, add a sprinkle of chili flakes when finishing the pizza.
• For a crisper crust, preheat your pizza stone for at least 30 minutes before baking.

Storage

Store any leftover pizza wrapped tightly in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a hot skillet or oven to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving to keep the crust texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought pizza dough for this recipe?

Yes, store-bought dough works well as a convenient alternative. Just be sure to shape it gently and allow it to come to room temperature before stretching.

What if I don’t have a pizza stone?

You can bake the pizza on a rimmed baking sheet or a cast iron skillet. Preheating the baking surface will help ensure a crisp crust.

Zesty Lemon Mozzarella Pizza Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 138 reviews

This Zesty Lemon Mozzarella Pizza offers a bright and refreshing twist on traditional pizza by combining the creamy richness of fresh mozzarella with the vibrant acidity of lemon. Featuring a homemade or store-bought easy pizza dough, a tangy lemon brine, and finished with Parmesan and fresh herbs, this pizza is baked to perfection on a hot pizza stone, delivering a beautifully browned crust and melty cheese in just 8-10 minutes.

• Author: Hannah
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
• Total Time: 23-25 minutes
• Yield: 1 medium 9×13 inch pizza (serves 2–3 people) 1x
• Category: Pizza
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pizza Dough

• 1 ball Easy pizza dough (or store-bought dough)

Lemon Brine

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 small garlic clove, grated
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon fine salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Mozzarella

• 150 grams fresh mozzarella (or ½ to ⅓ cup shredded firm mozzarella)

To Finish

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough: Follow your easy no-knead pizza dough recipe through step 5, which includes shaping the dough and preheating your oven. If using store-bought dough, let it come to room temperature before shaping.
2. Prepare Mozzarella: If using fresh mozzarella submerged in water, slice it into ½ inch thick pieces. Remove excess moisture by gently dabbing the slices with paper towels to avoid sogginess on the pizza.
3. Shape the Dough: Place the dough on a sheet of parchment paper. Starting from the center, gently press it out with your fingers until the dough measures approximately 9 by 13 inches. Transfer gently to a pizza peel or the back of a rimmed baking sheet for easy transfer.
4. Make the Lemon Brine: Combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon water, chopped parsley, grated garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper into a glass jar with a lid. Shake vigorously until the mixture is well emulsified and combined.
5. Apply the Brine and Cheese: Once the dough is stretched, create small dimples in the surface with your fingers. Evenly scatter the lemon brine over the dough, filling the dimples with the liquid. Then evenly distribute the mozzarella slices or shredded mozzarella on top.
6. Bake the Pizza: Using the pizza peel, carefully slide the pizza with the parchment paper onto a preheated pizza stone in a forced fan (convection) oven. Bake the pizza until the crust is golden and the cheese is browned and bubbly, about 8-10 minutes. Oven times can vary, so keep a close eye to prevent burning.
7. Finish and Serve: After baking, immediately drizzle the pizza with fresh lemon juice. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley over the top. Season with freshly ground black pepper or optional chili flakes if desired. Slice the pizza and serve hot for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

• This pizza combines the bright acidity of lemon with creamy mozzarella, offering a unique and refreshing flavor contrast.
• Removing excess moisture from fresh mozzarella prevents the pizza from becoming soggy.
• Using a pizza stone and preheating it ensures a crispy crust.
• Keep an eye on the pizza during baking as oven temperatures and times can vary significantly.
• Add a pinch of chili flakes on top for a subtle spicy kick if you like.

Keywords: lemon pizza, mozzarella pizza, lemon zest pizza, easy pizza recipe, fresh mozzarella, homemade pizza, zesty pizza, vegetarian pizza