Teresa's Recipes
Enhanced Ortolana Pizza
Experience the vibrant flavors of Italy with this Enhanced Ortolana Pizza, a true celebration of garden-fresh vegetables and creamy mozzarella cheese atop a perfectly crispy crust. This delightful dish showcases a medley of colorful bell peppers, juicy zucchini, tender eggplant, succulent mushrooms, and sharp red onions, all layered on a rich tomato sauce infused with aromatic garlic. Finished with a drizzle of high-quality olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh basil leaves, each bite takes your palate on a journey through the sun-kissed landscapes of Italy. This pizza not only tastes divine but also embodies the Italian philosophy of using fresh, seasonal ingredients, making it a perfect choice for any gathering.
Ingredients
- 1 batch (store-bought or homemade) Pizza dough
- 1 cup Tomato sauce
- 3 cloves, minced Garlic
- 2 cups, shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 1, sliced Eggplant
- 1, sliced Zucchini
- 1, sliced (any color) Bell peppers
- 1 cup, sliced Mushrooms
- 1, thinly sliced Red onion
- 2 tablespoons, for drizzling Olive oil
- 1/4 cup, torn for garnish Fresh basil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
Dietary Notes
- Servings: 4
- Dish Type: Main Course
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 35g
- Protein: 12g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Sugar: 4g
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat as well.
- On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough to your desired thickness, ensuring it remains even.
- Carefully transfer the rolled dough to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or directly onto the preheated pizza stone.
- In a small bowl, mix the minced garlic into the tomato sauce. Spread this mixture evenly over the surface of the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the sauce, ensuring even coverage.
- Layer the sliced eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, and red onion over the cheese, creating an attractive arrangement.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the top of the vegetables and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Once out of the oven, sprinkle the torn fresh basil over the pizza for a fragrant finish.
- Slice into wedges and serve hot, enjoying the delightful explosion of flavors.
Tips
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce.
- You can use a variety of vegetables based on your preference or what's in season—try adding spinach or artichokes for additional flavors.
- For a more authentic Italian flavor, consider using buffalo mozzarella instead of regular mozzarella.