Recipe Guide: Italian Var Pizza

Table of Contents

Toggle

Var

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Equipment

• Equipment Needed
• Baking sheet or pizza stone
• Rolling Pin
• Pastry brush
• Mixing bowl (if making dough)
• Knife and cutting board

Ingredients

  

• Ingredients
• For the Pizza:
• 250 g pizza dough store-bought or homemade
• 100 ml tomato passata or marinara sauce
• 100 g shredded mozzarella
• 50 g Grana cheese grated
• 6-8 pomodorini cherry tomatoes, halved
• 50 g funghi mushrooms, thinly sliced
• Fresh basil leaves optional, for garnish
• Olive oil for drizzling

Instructions

 

• Method
• Step 1: Prepare Your Dough
• If using store-bought dough, remove it from the fridge and allow it to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes.
• If making your own, mix flour, yeast, salt, water, and olive oil in a mixing bowl. Knead until smooth and elastic, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
• Step 2: Preheat and Prep
• Preheat your oven to 250°C (480°F). Place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat up.
• Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough to your desired thickness (thin crust or thicker, depending on your preference).
• Step 3: Assemble the Pizza
• Transfer the rolled-out dough onto parchment paper for easy handling.
• Spread the tomato passata evenly across the base using the back of a spoon, leaving a small border around the edges.
• Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauce.
• Add Grana cheese for an extra layer of flavor.
• Distribute the halved pomodorini and sliced funghi across the pizza.
• Step 4: Bake to Perfection
• Carefully transfer the pizza (on the parchment paper) onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
• Step 5: Garnish and Serve
• Remove the pizza from the oven and let it stand for 5 minutes.
• Garnish with fresh basil leaves and drizzle a touch of olive oil for added aroma.
• Slice and serve warm!
• Variations
• Vegan Option: Substitute mozzarella and Grana with vegan cheese.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pizza dough.
• Extra Toppings: Add olives, artichokes, or even prosciutto for a personalized touch.
• Herby Twist: Sprinkle dried oregano or chili flakes before baking for added flavor.

Keyword Pizza

If you’re a fan of classic Italian pizza, this recipe is sure to impress. Var Pizza combines the robust flavors of tomato passata, shredded mozzarella, Grana cheese, pomodorini (cherry tomatoes), and funghi (mushrooms) for a simple yet mouthwatering experience. From my own personal experience, the key to a great pizza lies in balancing these ingredients to create a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Let me show you how I make this delicious dish step by step.

Notes on What to Expect When Making Var Pizza

1. Dough Handling:
   Expect the dough to be soft and slightly sticky when rolling it out. If it’s your first time working with pizza dough, don’t worry! It’s normal to adjust with a little flour to prevent sticking.
2. Baking:
   The pizza should bake quickly due to the high oven temperature. Keep a close eye on it after 8 minutes to prevent over-browning. You’ll know it’s done when the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly with golden edges.
3. Texture and Flavor:
   • The crust will be crisp on the outside with a slight chewiness on the inside.
   • The tomato passata gives a rich and slightly tangy base, complementing the creamy, melty mozzarella and the nutty sharpness of the Grana cheese.
   • The pomodorini burst with a juicy sweetness, and the mushrooms bring an earthy depth to every bite.
4. Appearance:
   Once baked, the pizza will look vibrant with its contrasting colors — the red sauce, white cheese, golden crust, and pops of green from the basil. It’s as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the taste buds!
5. Aroma:
   Your kitchen will fill with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked bread, melted cheese, and fragrant olive oil. It’s a sensory delight that builds excitement even before the first bite.
6. Serving:
   The pizza is best served fresh out of the oven after a short 5-minute rest to let the cheese set slightly. This makes slicing and serving easier while keeping the flavors intact.

With Var, you can look forward to a satisfying and rewarding cooking experience that brings the authentic taste of Italy to your table. 🍕

Recipe Overview

• Cuisine: Italian
• Course: Main Course
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Time to Stand: 5 minutes (cooling)
• Total Time: ~37 minutes
• Ease of Cooking: Easy
• Servings: 2-4
• Calories per Serving: ~320 kcal
• Cost of Ingredients: Moderate

Ingredients

For the Pizza:

• 250g pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• 100ml tomato passata (or marinara sauce)
• 100g shredded mozzarella
• 50g Grana cheese (grated)
• 6-8 pomodorini (cherry tomatoes), halved
• 50g funghi (mushrooms), thinly sliced
• Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
• Olive oil (for drizzling)
• > Go here to buy the must-have equipment and ingredients for creating a Savory  #Var Pizza now.

Equipment Needed

• Baking sheet or pizza stone
• Rolling pin
• Pastry brush
• Mixing bowl (if making dough)
• Knife and cutting board
• > Go here to buy the must-have equipment and ingredients for creating a Savory  #Var Pizza now.

Method

Step 1: Prepare Your Dough

1. If using store-bought dough, remove it from the fridge and allow it to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes.
2. If making your own, mix flour, yeast, salt, water, and olive oil in a mixing bowl. Knead until smooth and elastic, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Step 2: Preheat and Prep

1. Preheat your oven to 250°C (480°F). Place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat up.
2. Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough to your desired thickness (thin crust or thicker, depending on your preference).

Step 3: Assemble the Pizza

1. Transfer the rolled-out dough onto parchment paper for easy handling.
2. Spread the tomato passata evenly across the base using the back of a spoon, leaving a small border around the edges.
3. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauce.
4. Add Grana cheese for an extra layer of flavor.
5. Distribute the halved pomodorini and sliced funghi across the pizza.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

1. Carefully transfer the pizza (on the parchment paper) onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet.
2. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

1. Remove the pizza from the oven and let it stand for 5 minutes.
2. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and drizzle a touch of olive oil for added aroma.
3. Slice and serve warm!

Variations

1. Vegan Option: Substitute mozzarella and Grana with vegan cheese.
2. Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pizza dough.
3. Extra Toppings: Add olives, artichokes, or even prosciutto for a personalized touch.
4. Herby Twist: Sprinkle dried oregano or chili flakes before baking for added flavor.

• > Go here to buy the must-have equipment and ingredients for creating a Savory  #Var Pizza now.

Tips for Beginners

• If you’re new to handling pizza dough, avoid over-flouring the surface to keep it light and stretchy.
• Preheating the pizza stone ensures a crispy base.
• Avoid overloading the pizza with toppings to prevent it from becoming soggy.

Substitutions for Specific Dietary Needs

• Dairy-Free: Opt for non-dairy cheese alternatives.
• Low-Sodium: Use low-sodium tomato sauce and limit the cheese.

Notes on What to Expect

Expect a fragrant, bubbling pizza with a crispy yet chewy crust and perfectly balanced toppings. The pomodorini burst with sweetness, the funghi add earthy tones, and the melted cheese creates a creamy richness. Each bite brings you closer to Italy!

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 320 kcal
• Protein: 12g
• Fat: 14g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sodium: 500mg

Closing 

I hope this guide has made making Pizza Var seem a little less daunting, or have you tried it before? Please, be honest, and let me know in the comments below. I like to hear feedback from a real person like you, so please, leave your honest comment. Buon appetito! 🍕

Zio Leo

Hello all,

Zio Leo here!
Cooking and sharing great food brings people together in the most authentic way, in my own personal experience, and with a lifelong passion for Italian cuisine, I’m here to share tips, recipes, and stories that celebrate the rich flavors of Italy. From classic dishes to modern twists, have my guides inspired you to bring a little bit of Italy into your kitchen? Please, be honest with me here. Leave your comments down below. I’d love to hear from real people like you. Read more about me here!  =>>