This homemade heirloom tomato pizza is simple yet so delicious. Uses heirloom tomato slices in lieu of sauce, along with fresh mozzarella and basil. A gluten-free and spelt crust is also included in the recipe!
We have family movie nights regularly throughout the week. It’s a great way to put down our devices, snuggle up on the couch together, and hangout as a family. We all really look forward to it and nothing makes it feel more like a legitimate movie night than having pizza and popcorn to snack on.
The other day was my son’s birthday and he specifically requested family movie night with pizza. We usually make homemade pizza, because it’s truly the best, but this time I wanted to make something extra special for our movie night.
Instead of making homemade sauce, I decided to use the beautiful stash of heirloom tomatoes I picked up from the market for a tomato tart.
Even though this pizza is incredibly simple (it only has a few ingredients, aside from the pizza dough) the flavor is amazing. In fact, my hubby said it was his new favorite pizza! Since it only has a few ingredients, it’s important to use the best quality ingredients. Use good tasting tomatoes, fresh cheese, etc. If you have trouble finding heirloom tomatoes, just use your favorite slicing tomato. Enjoy!
Heirloom Tomato Pizza
- Yield: 1 whole pizza 1x
Description
This homemade pizza is simple yet so delicious. Uses heirloom tomato slices in lieu of sauce, along with fresh mozzarella and basil. A gluten-free and spelt crust is also included in the recipe!
Ingredients
Heirloom Tomato Pizza:
- 1 pizza crust, recipe below or store-bought
- 3–4 large heirloom tomatoes, thinly sliced (or regular tomatoes will also work. I also added a handful of sliced colorful cherry tomatoes)
- 8–16 oz. fresh mozzarella, sliced or torn into pieces (can also use vegan cheese)
- handful of fresh basil leaves
- salt and pepper
Crust: (gf recipe here)
- 2 1/2–3 cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
– For these photos I used half White Whole Wheat Flour
and half all-purpose. Can also use Spelt Flour
, but a little more may be needed
- 1 package Rapid Rise Yeast
(or 2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
or Avocado Oil
- 1–2 tablespoons Honey
or organic sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup very warm water (120-130ºF)
, but a little more may be needed
Instructions
Quick Crust:
- For the crust, I use Rapid Rise yeast to cut the rising time down. If you are using regular active dry yeast, you’ll have to let it rise a bit longer.
- Place 1 cup of flour, rapid rise yeast, oil, honey, and salt into a large mixing bowl. Slowly add your warm water and begin mixing with an electric mixer or wooden spoon.
- Beat until the mixture is smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Begin adding additional flour 1/2 cup at a time until it forms a soft dough.
- Place dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes or until dough is soft and smooth. Be careful not to add too much flour or the crust will be hard (If using spelt flour you may need more flour as it’s not as absorbent as all-purpose.) Place dough into a lightly oiled bowl and turn to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel and let rest in a warm place for 15 minutes. If using active dry yeast, let rise about 40-60 minutes.
- *Tip: If your kitchen is cool, you can turn on your oven to the lowest setting for 1-2 minutes and then turn off. Oven should be warm but not too hot to touch. Place bowl inside of the warm oven to rise. Alternatively, you can place a pan of boiling water in the bottom of your oven (turned off) and close the oven door. The steam and moisture will also be a good environment for the dough to rise.
Putting The Pizza Together:
- Preheat oven to 450ºF. Thinly slice tomatoes and place onto a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Pat dry to remove excess moisture, otherwise the pizza can become watery while baking.
- Place dough onto a large piece of parchment paper or lightly greased pizza pan/baking sheet and gently stretch it out to about 12-14 inches, but be careful not to overwork the dough. The size will determine how thick or thin the crust is—smaller pizza for thicker crust, spread it out larger for thinner crust. If you get a hole in the crust when stretching it out, just pinch the dough back together.
- (Optional: For thick, fluffy crust, you can cover the dough on the pan and let rise again for 15-30 minutes)
- Top with alternating slices of tomatoes and mozzarella. I didn’t use sauce, but if you want to add some, I have an easy pizza sauce recipe here. Sprinkle the top with salt, freshly cracked pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil (optional).
- Place into the preheated oven on an upper rack (mine is about 6-8 inches from the top of the oven.) Bake for 10-15 minutes, until cheese is melted and lightly toasted and crust has browned. (If little water pockets have developed due to the tomatoes, just pat dry with paper towels.)
- Top with fresh basil and serve. Cuts into about 8-10 slices.
- Category: Entree, Vegetarian
You may also enjoy these similar recipes:
Caprese Pizza
GF Pizza Margherita
Grilled Summer Veggie Spelt Pizza
This is a work of edible art. Truly gorgeous and classic and delicious.
you make the best pizzas! absolutely gorgeous!
Thank you sweet friend!
You are a pizza master, Joscelyn! While I don’t eat dairy, I’d love to recreate a version of your recipe with vegan cheese. And that photo of the heirloom tomatoes – absolutely stunning! Your photography never fails to impress me!
Thanks Nisha! Your version sounds amazing!
OMG love the pizza and it looks 😀
Definitely, my kinda of pizza will be trying it out soon 😀 In fact who doesn’t love pizza 😀
I know right? Thanks for the kind words, friend. Have a great, lovely weekend!
This is such a gorgeous, summery pizza – love those pretty heirloom tomatoes! 🙂
Thanks, friend! It was so delish! Have a fun weekend!
Looks amazing. I may have to try this recipe. Your photos make it even more inviting:-)
Thank you Kathiey!
I am SO happy summer is almost here. Heirloom tomatoes are positively my favorite, especially on pizza with fresh mozzarella! So colorful and just the right amount of sweet and acid.
Me too! Yes, it’s a good balance, Lauren. Have a lovely weekend friend!
That is one good looking pizza!!! My husband and I have to make this together. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the love and support, Carly. I hope you really enjoy it as much as was have!
I am 100% going to try this, and your food photography is gorgeous!
Aw, thank you for the encouragement, Navi! And, thank you for making it. Enjoy my friend. Have a great day!
Oh my word…..Im definitely a pizza connoisseur and this looks amazinggggggggggggggggggggggggg ! OMG! I def must try this
Erica Valentin
http://www.ericavalentin.com
Oh wow, what an encouraging comment! Thank you so much Erica! Have a great day!
You had me at pizza!
Pizza is one of my favorite foods, I’d pick it for my birthday too! Happy birthday to your sweet boy!
Whenever I make pizza from scratch at home, I always splurge and find the best mozzarella I can afford because it really does make a huge difference! You’re so right!
As usual, your pictures are beautiful, Joscelyn, and they make me crave whatever you’re making!
Thanks sweet friend for your kindness and birthday wishes for Caleb! I always appreciate how thoughtful and encouraging you are. Thank you for the love
omg, your photos makes me so hungry.. Especially the caprese & gf margharita!!! Those are my favs.. Could you send some to me? hahaha 😛 Thanks for the post!
http://www.clairebearblogs.com
Lol, (handing you a slice now) Thanks for such a great comment. It made my day! Xoxo
Those tomatoes are gorgeous.
I love recipes where we just get out of the way of the wonderful food, and let it shine!
Yes for sure. Me too! Thanks Anne!
Mmmm I love the variety in tomatoes. That probably tastes really amazing! I’m going to bookmark this and try the recipe. Thank you for sharing! –https://imommy.co
Thanks for bookmarking Maria. Have a wonderful weekend!
SO beautiful! I’m ready for lunch!
Thanks Bree!
Omgggg it looks absolutely delicious soo gonna try making this over the weekend
Thanks Arita!
WOW this looks delicious. I’m sending this recipe to my mom – she will be obsessed.
Thanks Katie! I appreciate you sharing the recipe! Have a fun weekend!
I swear i could live the rest of my days eating pizza. This is mouthwatering and I am surely going to be trying it!
Thanks Marlene! Please let me know how you like it once you try it out!
This looks delicious. I’m starving, so maybe this wasn’t the best thing to look at! Hehe. Looks amazing!
Ha, thanks for the smile. I appreciate the kindness!
This looks so delicious! I love that you also have a GF Version!
Thanks Kylie! Have a wonderful, fun weekend!