Strawberry, Basil and Balsamic Pizza
Strawberries roasted on top a mozzarella and goat cheese pizza, topped with fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic reduction. SO good.
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on September 2, 2024
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My heart is so heavy for those affected by the tornadoes in my home state that I can’t really talk about anything else today. In case you haven’t heard on the news, a tornado two miles wide wiped out a swath of Central Oklahoma twenty miles long. It was a monster. The tornado came within 200 yards of my best friend’s home, where she lives with her husband and their sweet little girl, Ruby. Fortunately, they were safe in their storm shelter and her home is still intact.
I want to run back to home and help, but I know there is already a surplus of volunteers. Oklahomans are exceptionally compassionate and generous people. Oklahomans take care of one another.
If you want to help their efforts, you can donate to the United Way of Central Oklahoma’s Disaster Relief Fund here. The Central Oklahoma Humane Society is trying to connect lost pets with their owners and you can donate to their efforts here (designate OK Humane Disaster Relief Fund on the donor form). I thought I’d share these links because I know how many kind and caring people make their way to this blog. I don’t know how it happens, but it makes me happy.
So, pizza. I’ve been itching to share this strawberry pizza with you all for over a week now. Strawberries on a pizza might seem a little funny at first, but if you think about it, tomatoes are fruit, too. Strawberries get all juicy and roasty in the oven like tomatoes do, too. Combine them with golden mozzarella and goat cheese that melts into oblivion on a whole wheat crust and you just might find a new favorite. Top it with fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic reduction and, you guys—this pizza is a revelation.
This pizza is also super simple to make. I took a shortcut and used store-bought (Trader Joe’s) pizza dough, but Melissa has a 10-minute pizza dough recipe if you’d like to go the homemade route. For an even quicker version, you could use pre-made flatbread or naan as the base. If you enjoy strawberries, goat cheese, basil and balsamic vinegar, I have no doubt you’ll love them combined on a pizza.
Strawberry, Basil and Balsamic Pizza
Strawberries roasted on top a mozzarella and goat cheese pizza, topped with fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic reduction. This pizza is outrageously good. Trust me.
Ingredients
Pizza
- 16 ounces prepared whole wheat pizza dough
- 1 ½ cups (6 ounces) shredded mozzarella
- 5 ounces goat cheese
- 1 ½ cups (about ½ pound) chopped strawberries, leafy ends removed and sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chiffonade into short little strips
- freshly ground black pepper
Balsamic reduction
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.* Roll out your pizza dough into a 12 to 14-inch round on a floured surface. Top the pizza dough with the shredded mozzarella, big crumbles of goat cheese, and strawberries. Bake on a lightly oiled baking sheet (or on a pizza stone, if you have one) until the cheese is bubbling and golden and the crust is crisp underneath, about 35 to 40 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the balsamic reduction. In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar and honey. Gently simmer the mixture on medium-low heat until it is reduced in volume by half (this should take about 10 to 15 minutes) and set aside.
- Once the pizza is done baking, top it with a sprinkle of basil and freshly ground black pepper. Slice it and use a spoon to lightly drizzle balsamic vinegar on top, as shown in pictures. Serve!
Notes
- You’ll end up with lots of extra balsamic reduction, which you can use in salad dressings, on crostini, yogurt, ice cream, tomatoes…
- The instructions for my pizza specified to bake at 350 degrees, which I know is low for pizzas. I went ahead and baked at 350 until the cheese was bubbling all over and the crust was crisp throughout and the strawberries were juicy and roasted and I don’t think it could have turned out any better. If you want to crank up the heat and keep an eye on your pizza, though, go for it.
- If you don’t like goat cheese… that is unfortunate. Just add extra mozzarella. Feta may also be good.
- This recipe is the pizza love child of my strawberry, basil and goat cheese panini and peach, basil and ricotta flatbread, so you might enjoy those, too.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
This pizza is amazing! I have always loved strawberries and had never thought to put them on a pizza. My husband makes sourdough bread every week and leaves one dough for pizza so that is what I used for the crust. Absolutely perfect. I plan to make another in a couple of days since I have the ingredients on hand.
I’m happy you think so, Tiffany! I appreciate the review.
This was so easy to put together and was so delicious! Every bite was just bursting with a medley of heavenly flavors and it completely satisfied my pizza craving. I made this for us last week and we had it again for dinner tonight…whoops :)
I’m happy to hear that. I love you have made it twice already! :) Thanks for the review, Kelsie.
Just looking through some pins and found this recipe.
Going to try it this weekend.
Thanks for posting!
Your doggie is so cute :)
I will let Cookie know! Thank you, for your comment.
I found your recipe on Pinterest. Looked at it for ages saying I will make that someday. Well someday happened. I love pizza and am an old fashioned, tomato sauce and cheese. This was a flavor filled surprise for my taste buds. My favorite part was the balsamic reduction. It just brought all the flavors together. My tastebuds are now wanting more adventure! I made quite a bit of the reduction and tried my luck at a balsamic salad dressing. It came out good! Not being a great cook this has given me a boost to try. Thank you.
I’m happy you tried it! Thanks for your comment, JanetLee.
Best pizza I have had so far! It is very creative with the toppings. The ingredients bring about delicious flavors. This is my current favorite pizza now! The best part is, that it was super easy to make. I made this along with a salad and appetizer with my non-vegetarian brother and his girlfriend and they too LOVED it. Thank you for another treat!
You’re welcome!
I”ve loved every recipe I have tried of yours and can’t wait to try this one! Though I don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen when guests are over- can this be assembled, or even cooked and kept warm, ahead of time? Thanks
You could try it! Although this is best served immediately.
SO good!!! My boyfriend was skeptical about putting strawberries on pizza but we absolutely loved this!
Thank you for your review, Sarah! I appreciate your review.
It’s delicious and refreshing with mint (instead of basil) too. I left off the black pepper. Perfect for a quick summer lunch!
Thank you for your review, Frances!
This pizza is amazing made for dinner last night . Would make as an appetizer as well. I used a small bit of lightly seasoned chicken from my sousvide fried in butter with basil. Don’t even think about it make this recipe.
Thank you for sharing, Julie!