If you are searching for a pizza that combines bold, savory flavors with creamy tang and a touch of spice, the Goat Cheese and Soppressata Pizza Recipe is your new best friend. This pizza is a delightful harmony of textures and tastes, featuring the rich saltiness of soppressata balanced by the smooth, slightly tart goat cheese. Every bite offers a crispy crust, melty mozzarella, and just the right kick from crushed red pepper flakes and fresh herbs. Whether you’re cooking for a casual night or impressing guests, this recipe brings that Italian-inspired gourmet feel right into your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients for this Goat Cheese and Soppressata Pizza Recipe is incredibly straightforward, but each one plays a crucial role in creating a pizza that’s bursting with flavor, texture, and vibrant color.
- Pizza dough: Whether store-bought or homemade, it forms the perfect crispy yet chewy base.
- Pizza sauce or crushed tomatoes: Adds a bright, tangy tomato foundation that complements the cheeses beautifully.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts wonderfully to add gooey texture and creamy richness.
- Soppressata (thinly sliced): Its spicy, savory flavor is the star meat topping that livens up every bite.
- Goat cheese (crumbled): Offers that signature tangy creaminess that contrasts perfectly with the soppressata.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): Delivers an optional spicy kick for those who love heat.
- Olive oil: Drizzled on top to add a silky finish and help meld the flavors.
- Fresh basil or arugula (optional): For a fresh, peppery garnish that brightens the pizza visually and flavor-wise.
How to Make Goat Cheese and Soppressata Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by heating your oven to a blazing 475°F. If you have a pizza stone or steel, place it inside the oven to preheat as well—it’s the secret to getting that irresistible crisp crust.
Step 2: Shape the Dough
On a lightly floured surface, roll or stretch your dough into a 12-inch circle. This creates a nice, even base to hold all your delicious toppings. Transfer the shaped dough onto parchment paper on a baking sheet or directly onto your preheated pizza stone if you want maximum crispness.
Step 3: Layer Your Sauce and Cheese
Spread about half a cup of pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border bare around the edges to form the crust. Next, sprinkle an even layer of shredded mozzarella over the sauce to create that classic melty cheese base.
Step 4: Add the Soppressata and Goat Cheese
Arrange the thin slices of soppressata over the mozzarella, making sure every slice gets some spicy, savory bites. Then, dot the pizza with crumbled goat cheese—this tangy treasure adds creamy bursts of flavor that make this pizza unforgettable.
Step 5: Final Touches and Bake
If you like some heat, sprinkle half a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes over the toppings. Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil across the whole pizza to seal the flavors and help everything cook beautifully. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, or until your crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.
Step 6: Cool and Garnish
Once out of the oven, let your pizza rest for 2 to 3 minutes—this helps the cheese set just enough for neat slices. Finally, top with fresh basil or a handful of arugula to add a peppery freshness to each slice.
How to Serve Goat Cheese and Soppressata Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
Adding fresh greens like basil or arugula right after baking breathes life into your pizza. They offer a crisp, herbal contrast to the savory richness of the soppressata and goat cheese, making each bite more dynamic and refreshing.
Side Dishes
This pizza pairs beautifully with a simple mixed greens salad tossed in balsamic vinaigrette, or a light antipasto platter featuring olives, marinated artichokes, and roasted red peppers. These sides complement the Italian-inspired flavors without overwhelming your palate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try slicing your Goat Cheese and Soppressata Pizza Recipe into appetizer-sized pieces for a party platter. You can also drizzle a bit of hot honey or balsamic glaze on each slice to amp up the flavor contrast—your guests will love the sweet-spicy balance!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover pizza tightly in aluminum foil or store it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to three days without losing much of its delicious charm.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, you can freeze your pizza slices. Place parchment paper between slices to prevent sticking, then wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Frozen pizza is best eaten within one month for optimal taste and texture.
Reheating
To bring day-old or frozen pizza back to life, reheat in a 375°F oven for about 8-10 minutes on a baking sheet or pizza stone. This method revives the crisp crust and melts the cheese beautifully without drying out the toppings.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cheese instead of goat cheese?
Absolutely! While goat cheese adds a lovely tang, you can substitute with feta for a similar tangy profile or ricotta for creaminess. However, the unique flavor of goat cheese paired with soppressata truly makes this recipe special.
Is soppressata spicy?
Soppressata typically has a mild to moderate spice level depending on the brand or style. It adds a subtle spice and robust flavor that transforms your pizza without overwhelming your taste buds.
Can I make the dough from scratch?
Definitely. Homemade pizza dough is rewarding and fresh-tasting. Just be sure to allow enough time for it to rise and develop flavor before shaping it into your pizza foundation.
What if I don’t have a pizza stone?
No worries! A parchment-lined baking sheet works perfectly fine. Just preheat the oven well, and you’ll still get a crispy crust and delicious bake on your pizza.
How spicy does this pizza get with the crushed red pepper?
The crushed red pepper flakes add a gentle heat that complements the soppressata’s spice. You can adjust the amount or leave it out if you prefer a milder version without sacrificing flavor.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly satisfying about making your own Goat Cheese and Soppressata Pizza Recipe from scratch and sharing it with friends or family. The blend of rich cheeses, spicy meats, and fresh herbs makes it a standout meal any night of the week. I promise once you try this recipe, it will become a favorite pizza to come back to again and again.
Print
Goat Cheese and Soppressata Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 1 pizza (serves 2–3)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Description
This Goat Cheese and Soppressata Pizza is a gourmet Italian-inspired main course that combines tangy goat cheese, spicy soppressata, and melted mozzarella on a crisp, golden crust. Perfect for a quick yet delicious meal, this pizza offers a flavorful blend with an optional kick of crushed red pepper and fresh basil or arugula for garnish.
Ingredients
Pizza Base
- 1 ball pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
Sauce and Cheese
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3–4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
Toppings
- 3 ounces soppressata, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Finishing
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh basil or arugula for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it inside the oven while it’s heating to ensure a crisp crust.
- Prepare Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll or stretch the pizza dough into a 12-inch diameter circle. Transfer the shaped dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or directly onto the preheated pizza stone for best results.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce evenly.
- Arrange Toppings: Evenly distribute the thinly sliced soppressata over the mozzarella. Dot the pizza with crumbled goat cheese. If desired, sprinkle the crushed red pepper flakes evenly for a spicy kick. Drizzle the entire pizza with olive oil.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the pizza in the oven and bake for 10 to 14 minutes until the crust is golden, and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned in spots.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and allow it to cool for 2-3 minutes. Optionally, top with fresh basil or arugula. Slice and serve warm.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, bake the pizza directly on a preheated pizza stone or steel rather than a baking sheet.
- Consider drizzling hot honey or balsamic glaze over the pizza before serving to add a complementary sweetness.
