Mediterranean Pizza Recipe

Introduction

This Mediterranean Pizza brings vibrant flavors from olives, artichokes, and fresh oregano to a whole wheat crust. It’s a fresh, colorful dish perfect for a weeknight dinner or casual gathering.

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 1 lb. store-bought whole wheat pizza dough, room temperature
• 1 clove garlic, finely grated
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano or 1 1/2 tsp. finely chopped fresh oregano leaves, plus more for serving
• 1 lemon, zested, divided
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, halved and pitted
• 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1 small tomato, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
• 1/3 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 3/4 cup canned quartered artichokes, drained
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place a rack in the bottom third of the oven and preheat to 450°F. Lightly grease a 12-inch cast-iron skillet with olive oil. Stretch the pizza dough to cover the bottom of the prepared pan evenly.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, mix the grated garlic, oregano, 1 teaspoon of lemon zest, and 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Brush 2 tablespoons of this flavored oil evenly over the dough, reaching the edges. Toss the Kalamata olives in the remaining 1 tablespoon of flavored oil.
3. Step 3: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the dough, leaving a ½ to 1-inch border around the edges. Layer the tomato slices, red onion, and artichokes over the cheese. It’s okay if the vegetables overlap. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
4. Step 4: Bake the pizza for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the crust is browned and the vegetables are tender and beginning to brown.
5. Step 5: Remove the pizza from the oven and top with the marinated olives, any remaining seasoned oil, crumbled feta, and additional oregano. Serve with lemon wedges to squeeze over each slice.

Tips & Variations

• For a crispier crust, bake the pizza directly on a preheated pizza stone instead of a skillet.
• Substitute fresh mozzarella if you prefer a creamier texture.
• Add a handful of baby spinach or arugula after baking for extra greens and freshness.

Storage

Store any leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or oven to keep the crust crisp; avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular pizza dough instead of whole wheat?

Yes, regular pizza dough works well if you prefer a lighter crust, though whole wheat adds a lovely nutty flavor and more fiber.

How do I prevent the vegetables from making the crust soggy?

Draining the artichokes well and not overcrowding the toppings helps. You can also pre-bake the crust for a few minutes before adding toppings for a firmer base.

Mediterranean Pizza Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 588 reviews

This Mediterranean Pizza features a crisp whole wheat crust topped with flavorful ingredients like Kalamata olives, artichokes, fresh tomatoes, red onions, mozzarella, and feta cheese, all enhanced by a zesty garlic-oregano olive oil. Baked in a cast-iron skillet for a perfectly browned crust and tender vegetables, it’s an easy, vibrant pizza that brings the tastes of the Mediterranean to your table.

• Author: Daniel
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
• Total Time: 35-40 minutes
• Yield: 1 12-inch pizza (4 servings) 1x
• Category: Pizza
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Flavored Olive Oil and Dough:

• 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling and greasing
• 1 lb. store-bought whole wheat pizza dough, room temperature
• 1 clove garlic, finely grated
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano or 1 1/2 tsp. finely chopped fresh oregano leaves, plus more for serving
• 1 lemon, zested, divided
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Toppings:

• 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, halved and pitted
• 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 small tomato, sliced into 1/4“-thick rounds
• 1/3 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 3/4 cup canned quartered artichokes, drained
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Place a rack in the bottom third of your oven and preheat to 450°F (232°C). Lightly grease a 12-inch cast-iron skillet with olive oil to prevent sticking and help crisp the crust.
2. Prepare Flavored Olive Oil: In a small bowl, combine the grated garlic, oregano, 1 teaspoon of lemon zest, and 3 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil. Season this mixture generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. This oil will infuse the crust and toppings with vibrant Mediterranean flavors.
3. Shape the Dough and Apply Oil: Stretch the whole wheat pizza dough to fit the bottom of the prepared cast-iron skillet, ensuring it covers the entire base evenly. Brush the surface of the dough with 2 tablespoons of the garlic-oregano lemon oil mixture, spreading it all the way to the edges to flavor the crust thoroughly.
4. Prepare and Toss Olives: Add the halved Kalamata olives to the remaining tablespoon of the flavored olive oil and toss to coat them; these will be added as a topping later to retain their texture and flavor.
5. Add Cheese and Toppings: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the oiled dough, leaving a 1/2 to 1-inch border around the edge for the crust. Arrange the tomato slices, thinly sliced red onion, and drained artichokes on top of the cheese, overlapping slightly if needed. Drizzle a little olive oil over the vegetables and season again with salt and pepper to balance the flavors.
6. Bake the Pizza: Place the cast-iron skillet in the preheated oven and bake until the crust is browned, and the vegetables are tender with slight browning, approximately 20 to 25 minutes. Keep an eye on the pizza to prevent burning while achieving a crisp, golden crust.
7. Finish and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven. Top it with the marinated Kalamata olives, any remaining seasoned olive oil, crumbled feta cheese, and additional fresh oregano leaves. Serve the pizza with wedges of the zested lemon on the side for an optional bright, citrusy squeeze that complements the rich flavors perfectly.

Notes

• Using a cast-iron skillet helps achieve a crispy crust similar to traditional pizza ovens.
• Whole wheat pizza dough adds fiber and a nutty flavor; if unavailable, use regular pizza dough.
• Fresh oregano provides a more vibrant flavor than dried oregano, but both work well.
• Adjust the amount of cheese to taste, and feel free to add other Mediterranean toppings like roasted red peppers or spinach.
• For a spicier kick, add crushed red pepper flakes before baking.
• Allow the cast-iron skillet to cool completely before washing to prevent damage.

Keywords: Mediterranean pizza, whole wheat pizza dough, cast-iron skillet pizza, healthy pizza recipe, vegetarian pizza, garlic oregano olive oil, Kalamata olives pizza