Puff Pastry Margherita Pizza is easy to make and perfect as an appetizer, light lunch, or last-minute snack. Topped with juicy tomatoes, shredded mozzarella, and fresh basil, it’s a sure crowd-pleaser!
I always stock up on frozen puff pastry in my freezer for many sweet and savory treats. One of my favorite things to make with it is Margherita pizza. It’s a quick fix for a cheesy pizza craving, but it looks and tastes so gourmet!
We enjoy it a few times a month, and there are many reasons why it should be on your regular meal rotation, too!
- The subtle aroma of garlic, the gooey mozzarella cheese, the juicy tomatoes, and the earthy scent of basil on a flaky, buttery puff pastry crust are hard to resist.
- It’s as pretty as it is tasty. The combination of yellows, reds, and greens is sure to whet everyone’s appetite.
- Only six ingredients and less than 20 minutes from the kitchen to the table! Use your favorite store-bought frozen puff pastry, and your scrumptious treat is ready in a pinch.
- The recipe is adaptable! Feel free to add Proscuitto, ham, or other veggies, such as caramelized onions, mushrooms, or sweet peppers.
Assembling the pizza
- Do not overload the puff pastry with toppings. You don’t want to weigh it down too much as it might not rise properly.
- Puff pastry works best cold. If it gets warm during preparation, stick it back into the freezer for about 5 minutes or in the refrigerator for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Although pre-shredded mozzarella is more convenient, use fresh mozzarella and shred it yourself if possible. It just melts better.
Quick tip
I like to warm up the olive oil with minced garlic to give the pizza the flavor and aroma of garlic without little bits on the pizza to bite into. As garlic burns fast, add to WARM and not hot oil so it has time to infuse flavor.
Serving suggestions
Enjoy the pizza as an appetizer, light lunch, or midday snack. Pair it with your favorite tossed salad for a hearty meal!
Storage instructions
Puff pastry is best eaten immediately as it tends to lose flakiness over time. If you have leftovers, store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Recrisp in a 400 F for about 3 to 5 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella, shredded
- 10 cherry and sun gold tomatoes, halved
- fresh basil leaves, chiffonaded
Instructions
- Thaw puff pastry at room temperature for about 30 to 40 minutes or until it’s easy to unfold and handle.
- In a small pan over medium heat, heat olive oil. When the olive oil begins to warm, add garlic. Cook, stirring regularly until garlic is lightly browned and has rendered flavor. With a slotted spoon, remove garlic.
- Unfold puff pastry and cut lengthwise into two halves. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Brush with the garlic-infused olive oil.
- Top with mozzarella cheese, leaving about 1/2 inch space around the edges.
- Arrange sliced tomatoes on top of the cheese. Refrigerate for about 7 to 10 minutes.
- Bake in a 400 F oven for about 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
- In the last 2 to 3 minutes, carefully sprinkle basil leaves on top.
- Remove pizza from oven and cut into squares. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Do not overload the puff pastry with toppings. You don’t want to weigh it down too much as it might not rise properly.
- Puff pastry works best cold. If it gets warm during preparation, stick it back into the freezer for about 5 minutes or in the refrigerator for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Although pre-shredded mozzarella is more convenient, use fresh mozzarella and shred it yourself if possible. It just melts better.
- As garlic burns fast, add to WARM and not hot oil so it has time to infuse flavor.
Nutrition Information
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
Sarah says
Question: why do you refrigerate after assembling?
Britt @ A Lil' Sweet, Spice, & Advice says
This looks scrumptious! I don’t think I’ve ever tried a puff pastry pizza. I can just imagine how tasty it is with all of those buttery layers. Trying this soon!
Jenni says
This looks really tasty. I bet it would be a great dish to serve at a party, though I’d probably want to gobble it all up myself!
Mardene R Carr says
Okay, I’m probably the only one here who has never heard about puff pastry. It looks good s I think I am going to try it
Prairie Gal Cookin says
Literally, my mouth is watering now.. This looks amazing! YUM!
Lalaine says
Thanks 🙂
Jay Simms says
Now this looks delicious! I have to make it for dinner one night this week.
Lalaine says
Please do 🙂
Dana Vento says
Oh my goodness! This is really tempting and tasty for sure, I wanna grab it from my screen lol.
Lalaine says
Thanks, Dana 🙂
Dawn McAlexander says
I love margherita pizzas. I would love to be able to make it at home. This looks like the recipe to do just that.
Lalaine says
This is the simplest way to homemade margherita pizzas 🙂
lorena says
Love it, looks so yummy and easy thank you for share it!! My kids will love it
Lalaine says
You’re welcome 🙂 Enjoy!