Go Back
+ servings
Preserved Lemon and Mozzarella Pizza
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Winter Bright Preserved Lemon and Mozzarella Pizza

This preserved lemon and mozzarella pizza is bright, flavorful, delicate, and decadent all at once.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian, Mediterranean
Keyword: mozzarella, preserved lemon, vegetarian, Vegetarian Pizza
Makes: 1 (12- to 14-inch) pizza
Cost: $10

Equipment

  • Cutting board and knife
  • Skillet
  • Rolling pin (optional)
  • Large rimmed baking sheet or baking stone/steel
  • Pizza peel (optional)

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
  • 1 (14- to 16-ounce) ball pizza dough
  • 4 to 6 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into ½-inch cubes
  • 1 preserved lemon, rinsed, patted dry, and thinly sliced
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 500°F (if using a baking sheet) or as high as it will go (if using a baking stone/steel; place the stone/steel in the bottom third of the oven before you start preheating). Let the oven preheat for at least 30 minutes. Then, if you’re using a baking stone or steel, switch the oven to Broil on high.
  • Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and let it sizzle for 2 minutes, then remove the pan from the heat and set it aside to cool slightly.
  • Stretch or roll out your dough to a 12- to 14-inch circle, then transfer it to an oiled or parchment-lined baking sheet or a lightly floured pizza peel (if using a baking stone/steel).
  • Brush the garlic oil all over the dough, making sure to get the edges. (You probably won't need all of the oil; just brush it on until all the dough is lightly coated.) Sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over the oiled dough, leaving a ½-inch border all around, and then arrange the lemon slices on top of the mozzarella. Grind some black pepper over all.
  • Transfer the pizza to the oven and bake until the crust is golden and the cheese has browned in spots—8 to 10 minutes on the baking sheet, 6 to 8 minutes on the baking stone/steel.
  • Remove the pizza from the oven. Sprinkle with the chopped fresh basil; slice and serve.