Pizza is one of the most popular dishes in the world, and among various types of pizza, Capricciosa pizza is certainly one of the favorite choices. With a rich layer of cheese, tomato sauce, ham, mushrooms, and olives, Capricciosa pizza is a real treat for lovers of different flavors that combine perfectly. This recipe is ideal for those who want to prepare homemade pizza that is not only delicious but also simple to make. Moreover, you can adjust the ingredients to your taste and enjoy a unique combination of rich and crispy layers. Preparing this dish can be great fun for the whole family, and the result is a meal that will satisfy even the most demanding food enthusiasts.
Ingredients:
For the dough:
- 500g all-purpose flour (type 00 for pizza)
- 300ml lukewarm water
- 10g fresh yeast (or 7g dry yeast)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3 teaspoons olive oil
For the sauce:
- 400g tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/2 onion (optional)
- 1-2 garlic cloves (optional)
For the topping:
- 200g fresh ham, sliced into thin strips
- 150g fresh mushrooms, sliced thinly
- 100g black olives, halved
- 200g shredded mozzarella cheese (or fresh mozzarella balls, sliced thinly)
- 100g Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra flavor)
- Oregano (to taste)
- Olive oil (for brushing)
Preparation:
1. Preparing the Pizza Dough: Start by preparing the dough. In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, sugar, and fresh yeast (if using dry yeast, you can mix it directly with the flour). Make a well in the center and pour in the lukewarm water. Begin mixing the water and flour together, then add the olive oil. Stir until you get a soft, but not sticky dough. If needed, add a little more flour to achieve the right consistency.
Once everything is combined, place the dough on a floured surface and knead it for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. If you want the dough to be particularly fluffy, let it rise in a lightly oiled bowl, covered with a clean cloth, for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size. This step is crucial for developing the right texture for a perfect, crispy, and soft crust.
2. Preparing the Sauce: While the dough is rising, you can prepare the sauce. If you are using fresh tomatoes, peel them and finely chop them. If you are using canned tomatoes, simply crush them with a fork. In a small pan, heat the olive oil and add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté them over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes until they become translucent and aromatic. Add the tomatoes to the pan, then season with oregano, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken and become rich in flavor.
If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend it with an immersion blender, but this is optional. Once the sauce has cooled, you can use it to spread over the dough.
3. Shaping the Pizza Dough: Once the dough has risen, place it on a floured surface and gently press out any air. Roll it into a circle or rectangle, depending on your preference and the size of your baking sheet. If you like a thinner crust, roll it out as thin as possible. If you prefer a thicker crust, leave it a little thicker. While rolling out the dough, be careful not to add too much flour to your hands so the dough remains elastic and soft.
Transfer the dough to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and lightly brush it with olive oil. This will help the pizza get a nice golden-brown color and become even crispier. You can also use pizza pans or a baking stone if you have one, as these will help the crust become extra crispy.
4. Adding the Toppings: Once the dough is ready, spread the prepared tomato sauce over it. Evenly distribute the sauce over the entire surface of the dough, leaving a little space on the edges for the crust. Then, place the shredded mozzarella cheese or mozzarella slices (if using mozzarella balls). Arrange the ham slices, mushrooms, and black olives. If desired, you can sprinkle some Parmesan and oregano on top for extra flavor.
It’s important to evenly distribute all the ingredients so that each slice of pizza is flavorful. If you like, you can drizzle a little olive oil on top for added moisture.
5. Baking the Pizza: Preheat the oven to 220°C (around 430°F). Once the oven is hot, place the pizza inside to bake. The baking time should be between 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the dough and the type of oven. The pizza is done when the crust turns golden brown and crispy, and the cheese melts and becomes slightly browned.
6. Serving the Pizza: Once the pizza is ready, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before cutting it. This will help the cheese and toppings set, and the pizza will be easier to slice. Cut the pizza into the desired pieces and serve while it’s still warm.
Tips:
- If you like your pizza to be spicy, you can add a few drops of hot sauce or chopped chili peppers.
- For extra flavor, you can add more herbs to the sauce, such as basil, thyme, or dried basil.
- If you want the pizza to be even juicier, you can drizzle a little olive oil over it after it comes out of the oven.
- For extra crispiness, you can bake the pizza on a stone surface, which retains heat better and makes the crust especially crispy.
- For meat lovers, Capricciosa pizza can be enriched with roasted chicken breast or beef.
Conclusion: Capricciosa pizza is the perfect choice for all lovers of classic and rich flavors. With an abundance of ingredients, creamy cheese, savory tomato sauce, mushrooms, olives, and ham, this pizza will delight and provide an unforgettable meal. Its preparation is simple, and the result is always perfect, whether you make it for a family dinner or a special occasion.
