Lemon Pizza Recipe

Introduction

This Lemon Pizza offers a delightful twist on the classic favorite with bright, zesty flavors that perfectly complement the creamy mozzarella and crispy crust. It’s easy to prepare and brings a fresh, vibrant taste to your pizza nights.

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 (plus 1 tablespoon for finishing)
• ¼ teaspoon fine salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 5 oz (150 grams) fresh mozzarella (or ½ to ⅓ cup shredded firm mozzarella)
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (for finishing)
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the pizza dough by following your easy no-knead pizza recipe up to shaping the dough and preheating your oven.
2. Step 2: If using fresh mozzarella in water, cut it into ½ inch thick pieces and dab with a paper towel to remove excess moisture if needed.
3. Step 3: Place the dough on parchment paper and gently press from the center outwards to form a roughly 9×13 inch pizza. 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: Use your fingers to make a few dimples in the stretched dough. Scatter the lemon brine evenly over the dough, filling the dimples, then add the mozzarella cheese on top.
6. Step 6: Carefully slide the pizza onto a preheated pizza stone. Bake until the crust and cheese are golden brown, about 8–10 minutes depending on your oven.
7. Step 7: Remove the pizza from the oven. Drizzle with the finishing lemon juice, sprinkle parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, then add black pepper or chili flakes if desired. Slice and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• If you don’t have a pizza stone, invert a rimmed baking sheet and place it on the lowest oven shelf during preheating. Slide the pizza onto the hot inverted sheet for a similarly crisp crust.
• Use shredded firm mozzarella if fresh mozzarella is too watery or unavailable.
• Add a pinch of chili flakes on top for a spicy kick.

Storage

Store leftover pizza covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. For longer storage, freeze the pizza up to 3 months. Reheat frozen or refrigerated pizza in the oven until crispy and heated through.

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 and saves time. Just shape it as directed and proceed with the toppings and baking.

How do I prevent the mozzarella from making the pizza soggy?

Use fresh mozzarella that is not too watery, and dab excess moisture with a paper towel before adding it. This helps maintain a crisp crust.

Lemon Pizza Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 107 reviews

This vibrant Lemon Pizza combines a crispy, homemade pizza dough base with a zesty lemon-brine drizzle, creamy mozzarella, and a bright finish of fresh lemon juice, parmesan, and parsley. A refreshing twist on traditional pizza, it offers a perfect balance of savory and citrus flavors for an easy and delicious meal.

• Author: Joe
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including dough rising time)
• Yield: 1 pizza (serves 2-3) 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

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

• 5 oz (150 grams) fresh mozzarella (or ⅓ to ½ 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 Dough: Follow the easy no-knead pizza dough recipe through step 5, shaping the dough and preheating the oven as directed.
2. Prepare Cheese: If using fresh mozzarella packed in water, slice it into ½ inch thick pieces. Dab the slices with a paper towel to remove excess moisture if needed.
3. Shape Dough: Place the dough on parchment paper and gently press from the center outward using your fingers, forming a roughly 9×13 inch pizza. Transfer the dough carefully onto a pizza peel or the back of a rimmed baking sheet.
4. Make Lemon Brine: In a glass jar with a lid, combine extra virgin olive oil, water, parsley, grated garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Shake well until emulsified.
5. Add Toppings: Create small dimples in the stretched dough with your fingers and scatter the lemon brine evenly, making sure to fill the dimples. Top with the prepared mozzarella pieces.
6. Bake Pizza: Use the pizza peel to transfer the pizza onto a preheated pizza stone in the oven. Bake until the crust is crisp and cheese is browned, about 8-10 minutes in a forced fan oven. Adjust timing as needed according to your oven.
7. Finish and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven, drizzle with fresh lemon juice, sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and season with black pepper or chili flakes if desired. Slice and serve immediately.

Notes

• What to Use Instead of a Pizza Stone: Use an inverted rimmed baking sheet preheated on the lowest oven rack to achieve a crispy crust. Slide the pizza with parchment paper onto the hot baking sheet to bake.
• Leftover Storage: Cover leftover pizza tightly and refrigerate for up to 1 day or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat frozen leftovers in the oven until hot and crispy.

Keywords: lemon pizza, pizza dough, fresh mozzarella, lemon brine, homemade pizza, easy pizza recipe, zesty pizza