Gourmet Prosciutto Arugula Pizza: The Ultimate Homemade Recipe for an Italian Feast
Forget bland store-bought options or waiting for takeout, and elevate your pizza night with this incredible Prosciutto Arugula Pizza. This recipe brings a delightful balance of flavors and textures, featuring the irresistible saltiness of prosciutto and the vibrant, peppery kick of fresh arugula. Paired perfectly with melted mozzarella and sharp Parmesan cheese, all on a crispy, flavorful crust, this isn’t just a pizza – it’s an experience. It’s truly one of my absolute favorite pizza combinations, and once you try it, it might just become yours too!
Why This Homemade Prosciutto Arugula Pizza Is a Must-Try
Returning from a relaxing trip, sometimes getting back into the daily grind can be a challenge. The lure of vibrant flavors and comforting meals often helps smooth the transition, and this Prosciutto Arugula Pizza recipe did just that for me. It’s a dish that effortlessly transports you to a gourmet Italian eatery, right from your own kitchen, without the hefty price tag or the typical wait time.
My love affair with this particular pizza combination began during my time in Chicago, specifically at Mariano’s, which quickly became my go-to grocery store. They offered a pizza with a similar blend of salty cured meat, fresh greens, and melted cheese that captivated my taste buds. I was determined to recreate that magic at home, making it accessible for everyone to enjoy. After some experimentation, this homemade recipe emerged as a true winner – an elevated pizza experience that’s surprisingly simple to achieve for your next pizza night.
What makes this gourmet pizza truly stand out is the harmonious blend of high-quality ingredients working in concert. The rich, salty notes of delicate prosciutto are perfectly complemented by the bright, peppery flavor of fresh arugula. These two powerhouses are laid over a generous layer of creamy, bubbling mozzarella and sharp, nutty Parmesan cheese, creating a decadent yet balanced flavor profile. The foundation is a crispy, golden pizza crust, which we first brush with an aromatic olive oil and garlic mixture. This simple step infuses every bite with savory depth, setting the stage for the toppings.
To add an extra touch of brightness and a subtle sweetness that truly awakens the palate, the fresh arugula is lightly tossed with a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before being scattered on top. This ensures the greens remain crisp, vibrant, and perfectly seasoned, adding a crucial fresh element that beautifully cuts through the richness of the cheese and the savory intensity of the prosciutto. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s an invitation to create a memorable meal that feels both sophisticated and utterly comforting. Perfect for a casual weeknight dinner or entertaining guests, it offers a refreshing alternative to traditional pizza, proving that homemade can truly be better than anything you’d order out. It’s a testament to how simple, quality ingredients can combine to create something extraordinary and satisfying.
Essential Ingredients for Your Gourmet Prosciutto Arugula Pizza
Crafting the perfect Prosciutto Arugula Pizza relies on a few key ingredients that each play a vital role in building its signature flavor profile and ensuring a truly gourmet experience at home. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is so important for this delicious creation:
Quality Pizza Crust
The foundation of any great pizza is its crust, and for this recipe, a 12-inch pizza crust provides the ideal canvas. You have several excellent options here: for a truly personalized touch, use your favorite homemade pizza dough recipe. If convenience is key, there are many good quality store-bought crusts available that bake up beautifully crisp and golden. Another fantastic and increasingly popular alternative, especially for smaller, individual pizzas or a quick meal, is using Naan bread. Some brands, like Stonefire, even offer a dedicated “pizza naan” which creates a delightfully chewy, yet slightly crispy base, perfect for flatbread-style pizzas. Choose what works best for your schedule and taste!
Rich Olive Oil & Aromatic Garlic
Before any cheese hits the crust, we elevate the base with a simple yet incredibly effective flavor enhancer: a mixture of good quality olive oil and freshly minced garlic. Brushing this aromatic blend generously over the pizza crust before baking imbues it with a warm, savory, and subtly pungent base note that enhances every single bite. It acts as a light, flavorful “sauce” or primer, preventing the crust from drying out and adding a layer of sophisticated flavor that complements all the subsequent toppings perfectly. The fresh garlic is non-negotiable for that authentic, bright taste.
Melted Mozzarella & Sharp Parmesan Cheese
Cheese is, of course, central to any pizza, providing both texture and depth of flavor. For our Prosciutto Arugula Pizza, we utilize a thoughtful combination of mozzarella and Parmesan. Shredded part-skim mozzarella provides that classic, gooey, stretchy, and utterly satisfying melted texture, along with a mild, milky flavor that serves as an ideal canvas for the more assertive toppings. The Parmesan cheese, ideally freshly shredded for the best aroma and taste, adds a powerful punch of sharp, salty, and umami-rich flavor. This dual-cheese approach ensures a beautiful balance of creamy melt and complex sharpness, creating a truly irresistible cheesy layer that pulls everything together.
Fresh, Peppery Arugula
Arugula is the absolute hero green of this pizza, bringing its distinctive peppery, slightly bitter, and fresh notes that beautifully contrast with the salty prosciutto and rich cheese. It’s crucial to add the arugula *after* the pizza has baked and just before serving, ensuring it remains crisp, vibrant, and retains its characteristic bite. Wilting it in the oven would diminish its unique qualities and turn it soggy. To further enhance its flavor and prevent it from being dry on the pizza, we lightly toss the arugula with a bit of extra virgin olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. This simple dressing amplifies its freshness and complements the overall profile.
Savory Prosciutto
Prosciutto, a delicate dry-cured Italian ham, is undoubtedly the star meat topping of this pizza. Its delicate, paper-thin slices offer a beautiful balance of salty, savory, and subtly sweet flavors that are both elegant and intensely satisfying. Since prosciutto is typically served uncooked or only lightly warmed, it is added *after* the pizza comes out of the oven. This preserves its tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture and exquisite flavor, allowing its essence to gently infuse the warm cheese and fresh arugula. Don’t be shy – feel free to be generous with the prosciutto if you truly enjoy its robust and sophisticated flavor!
Bright Lemon Juice
A simple squeeze of fresh lemon juice is a surprising but crucial secret weapon in this recipe. It’s primarily used to lightly dress the arugula, adding a vital bright, acidic note that perfectly cuts through the richness of the melted cheese and the saltiness of the prosciutto. This burst of citrus freshness elevates the entire dish, preventing it from feeling too heavy and adding a delightful zing. For an extra aromatic touch, you can even grate a little lemon zest over the finished pizza just before serving. This small addition makes a significant difference in balancing and brightening the overall flavor profile of your homemade Prosciutto Arugula Pizza.
How to Master Your Homemade Prosciutto Arugula Pizza: Step-by-Step Guide
Making this sophisticated pizza at home is simpler than you might think, and the process is incredibly rewarding. Follow these detailed steps for a perfectly cooked and impeccably flavored Prosciutto Arugula Pizza every time, ensuring a truly gourmet experience right from your own oven:
1. Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Crust Base
Begin by preheating your oven to a high temperature of 450 degrees Fahrenheit (230°C). A hot oven is absolutely essential for achieving a wonderfully crispy crust quickly, mimicking pizzeria conditions. In a small bowl, thoroughly whisk together 1 tablespoon of quality olive oil with 2 cloves of freshly minced garlic. This fragrant mixture will serve as the foundational flavor for your crust. Using a pastry brush, evenly spread this garlic-infused olive oil mixture over your chosen pizza crust, making sure to reach all the way to the edges. This step is crucial not only for infusing delicious garlic flavor but also for creating a golden, perfectly crisp crust.
2. Bake the Cheesy Foundation to Perfection
Once your crust is beautifully brushed, generously sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese over it. Ensure an even layer, leaving a small, clean border around the edge for the crust to puff up. Carefully transfer the pizza directly onto the preheated oven rack or a preheated pizza stone/baking sheet. Bake for approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Keep a close eye on it: you’re looking for the cheese to be beautifully bubbly, melted, and slightly golden, with the edges of the crust just starting to turn a lovely light brown. This initial bake ensures the cheese is perfectly cooked and creates a sturdy, delicious base before adding the fresh, delicate toppings.
3. Expertly Prepare the Arugula Topping
While your pizza is baking and filling your kitchen with incredible aromas, turn your attention to preparing the fresh arugula. In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of fresh, clean arugula with 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil, a small pinch of salt, a dash of freshly ground black pepper, and the juice of half a lemon. Gently toss the arugula using your hands or tongs until it’s lightly coated with the dressing. This light dressing is key: it enhances the arugula’s natural peppery flavor, adds a crucial touch of brightness, and ensures it’s perfectly seasoned and vibrant when it meets the hot pizza. Set this aside to await its moment.
4. Assemble Your Gourmet Masterpiece and Serve
Carefully remove the hot, bubbly pizza from the oven. The cheese should be molten and the crust invitingly crisp. Immediately, arrange an even layer of your freshly dressed arugula over the melted cheese. Next, artfully drape the thinly sliced prosciutto over the arugula. The residual heat from the pizza will gently warm the prosciutto, softening it slightly and releasing its incredible aromas, while also gently wilting the arugula just enough to meld with the other flavors. Finish with a final, generous sprinkle of freshly shredded Parmesan cheese. The remaining heat will soften the Parmesan slightly, adding another layer of salty, nutty goodness. Slice your Prosciutto Arugula Pizza into wedges and serve immediately to enjoy it at its absolute best. The stunning contrast between the warm, savory base and the cool, peppery, salty toppings is simply divine and makes for an unforgettable meal!
Pro Tips and Delicious Variations for Your Prosciutto Arugula Pizza
While this recipe for Prosciutto Arugula Pizza is absolutely fantastic as written, there are many exciting ways to customize and enhance it to suit your personal preferences, dietary needs, or simply to use what you have on hand. Don’t be afraid to get creative and make this delicious pizza truly your own!
- Add a Sweet & Tangy Drizzle: For an extra layer of gourmet flavor, consider drizzling a high-quality balsamic glaze over the finished pizza just before serving. The sweet and tangy notes of the glaze beautifully complement the salty prosciutto and the peppery arugula, adding a sophisticated touch that elevates the entire dish.
- Introduce Some Heat: If you enjoy a little kick and spice in your food, sprinkle some red pepper flakes over the pizza along with the mozzarella cheese before baking. Alternatively, you can add them to the dressed arugula for a more direct burst of spice that hits with every bite.
- Experiment with Cheeses: While mozzarella and Parmesan are classic for a reason and provide a perfect balance, don’t hesitate to explore other cheese combinations. A touch of creamy provolone, nutty fontina, or even crumbled goat cheese could add interesting new dimensions and unique textures to your pizza.
- Elevate the Crust Flavor: If you’re using a store-bought dough or a simpler homemade crust, you can make it even more flavorful. Before baking, brush the edges (or the entire crust) with a little extra olive oil and sprinkle them with a pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, or a blend of Italian seasoning for an herb-infused crust that adds depth.
- Incorporate Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of other fresh herbs like torn basil leaves or a few sprigs of fresh oregano added along with the arugula can further brighten the flavors and add an aromatic depth that is truly delightful and complements the Italian profile.
- Make it a Complete Meal: This gourmet pizza pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad (perhaps another light arugula salad dressed with a bright vinaigrette!), a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio, or a light, refreshing beer. It’s also excellent when served alongside a warm bowl of creamy tomato soup for a comforting and hearty pairing.
- Serving Size Flexibility: This recipe is designed to yield 8 generous servings, making it perfect for a family pizza night, a casual gathering with a few friends, or even for enjoying delicious leftovers the next day. The recipe is also easily scalable if you’re cooking for a larger crowd – simply prepare multiple pizzas!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions about making and enjoying Prosciutto Arugula Pizza, along with helpful answers to ensure your homemade pizza experience is a success and you can confidently create this delicious dish:
- Can I prepare the pizza crust in advance?
- Absolutely! For convenience, you can brush the crust with the garlic-olive oil mixture and sprinkle the mozzarella cheese, then store it, lightly covered, in the refrigerator for a few hours. Just be sure to bring it back to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before baking to ensure even cooking and a perfectly crispy crust.
- Can I use a different type of greens instead of arugula?
- While arugula’s distinctive peppery bite is truly ideal for this recipe and provides the perfect contrast to the rich toppings, you could certainly try baby spinach or mixed greens for a milder flavor profile. Just remember that any greens should be added fresh after baking to prevent them from wilting excessively and losing their delicate texture and vibrant color.
- What’s the best way to store leftover Prosciutto Arugula Pizza?
- To maintain freshness and flavor, store any leftover pizza slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. When reheating, a preheated oven (around 350°F or 175°C) or a toaster oven works best to revive the crispness of the crust and melt the cheese beautifully. Microwaving is an option for speed, but it might make the crust a bit soggy.
- Is it okay to use pre-minced garlic from a jar?
- While freshly minced garlic always offers the brightest, most potent, and authentic flavor, pre-minced garlic from a jar can certainly be used in a pinch for convenience when you’re short on time. Just be aware that its flavor might be slightly less intense, so you might consider adding a little extra to compensate for any lost pungency.
- Can I bake the prosciutto directly on the pizza?
- For this specific recipe, we highly recommend adding the prosciutto *after* the pizza has baked. This preserves its delicate, tender texture and rich, nuanced flavor, which are key to this pizza’s gourmet appeal. Baking prosciutto would cause it to become crispy and change its character significantly. However, if you specifically prefer crispy prosciutto, you can certainly add it during the last few minutes of the initial cheese bake!
- What kind of pizza crust works best for this recipe?
- Any 12-inch pizza crust will work wonderfully for this recipe. For the best flavor and texture, a homemade thin-crust dough is often preferred, but good quality store-bought crusts (like pre-made pizza shells or even fresh dough from the refrigerated section) are a fantastic time-saver. Consider thin or medium crusts for optimal crispness. As mentioned in the ingredients section, Naan bread also makes an excellent, quick, and easy flatbread base!
OTHER ARUGULA RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
If you’ve fallen in love with the fresh, peppery flavor of arugula in this pizza, you’ll be delighted to know it shines in many other incredible dishes. Arugula is a versatile green that can elevate everything from salads to pasta. Here are a few more recipes where arugula takes center stage, showcasing its dynamic versatility and vibrant taste:
ARUGULA SALAD WITH CAPERS
LEMON ARUGULA SALAD WITH PINE NUTS
FARRO ROASTED BEET ARUGULA SALAD
CHICKPEA PASTA RECIPE WITH ARUGULA AND FETA
MEDITERRANEAN COUSCOUS SALAD
Explore More Pizza and Flatbread Creations:
If you’re a true fan of experimenting with different pizza and flatbread flavors, these additional recipes offer exciting twists and delicious ways to get creative in the kitchen. Expand your culinary horizons beyond traditional pizza and discover new favorites that are sure to impress your family and friends:
MEXICAN PIZZA
SPICED BEEF HUMMUS PITA PIZZA
GREEK BEEF PITA PIZZA
MEDITERRANEAN NAAN PIZZA
MEDITERRANEAN FLATBREAD
MEDITERRANEAN NAAN BREAD PIZZA
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Prosciutto Arugula Pizza
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Ingredients
- 1 – 12 inch pizza crust , {homemade or store bought}
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded, part-skim
- 1 cup arugula
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Dash of pepper
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1 oz. prosciutto, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
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In a small bowl mix together the 1 Tablespoon olive oil and the 2 minced garlic cloves. Using a brush spread the garlic olive oil mixture evenly on top of the pizza crust.
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Sprinkle the 1 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese over the pizza crust and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is just browning.
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While the pizza cooks mix the arugula, 1/2 teaspoon olive oil, salt, a dash of pepper and lemon juice in a medium mixing bowl. Set aside.
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Remove the pizza from the oven and sprinkle with a layer of arugula, prosciutto and then the freshly shredded parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can use more prosciutto if you like to have more on your pizza.
- Another option to pizza dough is to use Naan.