Authentic Italian Goat Cheese
Pancetta Pizza
Experience the bold flavors of Italy with this artisanal pizza featuring tangy goat cheese, rich sun-dried tomatoes, and delicate ribbons of fresh pancetta.
While mozzarella is the undisputed king of Italian pizza, incorporating fresh goat cheese introduces a delightful tang that cuts through rich toppings. Finished with raw pancetta after baking—a technique that preserves its melt-in-your-mouth texture—this recipe balances rustic simplicity with true gourmet flair.
Ingredients
- 1 ball pizza dough
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella cheese
- 4 oz fresh goat cheese
- 3 oz pancetta, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- to taste extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- 1Stretch the dough
Place the prepared dough ball onto a floured surface. Use your hands to gently press and stretch the dough from the center outwards until it reaches the desired pizza shape and thickness.
Tip: Work gently to keep air in the crust, which will help it puff up beautifully in the oven. - 2Add sun-dried tomatoes
Take the sun-dried tomatoes and distribute them evenly across the stretched pizza dough base.
Tip: Pat the sun-dried tomatoes dry before adding them to avoid a soggy pizza. - 3Add mozzarella cheese
Scatter the pieces of mozzarella cheese evenly over the layer of sun-dried tomatoes.
Tip: Using fresh mozzarella adds a creamy texture that pairs perfectly with the tangy tomatoes. - 4Add goat cheese
Carefully place small chunks of fresh goat cheese on top of the mozzarella and sun-dried tomato layer.
Tip: Goat cheese has a mild, tangy flavor that elevates the overall profile of the pizza. - 5Bake the pizza
Carefully slide the assembled pizza into the preheated hot oven using a metal pizza peel. Bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
Tip: Ensure the oven is at a very high temperature for the best pizza crust results. - 6Add pancetta
Once the pizza is baked and removed from the oven, immediately drape the thin slices of pancetta evenly over the bubbling cheese so the residual heat gently warms the meat.
Tip: Adding the pancetta after baking keeps the pork belly tender and flavorful. - 7Garnish with fresh thyme
Take fresh thyme leaves and evenly sprinkle them over the hot pizza, followed by a light drizzle of olive oil. The aromatic herbs and oil complement the goat cheese and pancetta, bringing all the authentic Italian flavors together.
Tip: Use your fingers to gently strip the leaves off the thyme stems for a light, even distribution.
