Arugula Pizza was love at first bite! The creamy alfredo sauce, garlic and rosemary are simply divine topped with fresh peppery raw arugula salad, with balsamic and shaved Parmesan cheese!
This post contains affiliate links. I originally published this recipe on April 15th, 2015. I have updated the recipe and content to share it with you again today.
As soon as the pizza comes out of the oven, top it with fresh arugula tossed with parmesan cheese. Trust me, every last bite of this pizza is delicious and will leave you wanting more. It’s the perfect mix of summer flavors that everyone will love.
Step 3: Make Arugula Salad
While the pizza is baking, make the dressing and salad.
Chop the garlic, and then sprinkle it with a little salt. Using the side of your knife, mash the garlic into a paste with the salt. (Photo 3a)Scrape it up and place it in a mixing bowl.
Add the balsamic vinegar and olive oil to the bowl and whisk until it is combined.(Photo 3b)
Just before topping the pizza, add the arugula to the dressing and toss it to coat.(Photo 3c)
Why We Love This Arugula Pizza Recipe
I have yet to meet a pizza I didn’t like! From pizzeria standards like Greek Pizza to more far-out gourmet combinations like Roasted Cranberry and Chevre Flatbread Pizza or White Pizza with Potatoes. I love them all! But arugula pizza holds a special place in my heart.
When I first laid eyes on an arugula pizza, while out to eat with my Italian language buddy for the semester that I was studying in Florence, I instantly fell in love. Arugula Pizzas combined two of my favorite things: pizza and salad. That’s because Italian arugula pizza is like a pizza with a salad on top!
They’re like the OG Pizzalad (or Pizz’alad) that everyone suddenly went crazy over a few years ago. Yeah, well, silly us, Italians have been eating salad on their pizzas forever!
My easy version of this homemade pizza is made with store-bought pizza dough and purchased alfredo sauce as a shortcut so that it can come together in under 30 minutes. I amped up the flavor with chopped fresh rosemary and I added on creamy Fontina cheese- one of my favorite melting cheeses!
While the pizza is baking- and that sauce and cheese are melting into a gloriously creamy base. I whipped up a simple yet boldly flavored raw arugula salad to top off the pizza.
The salad is dressed with raw garlic, balsamic and olive oil which compliments the nutty peppery arugula perfectly. I finish it all off with a little shaved Parmeiganno Regianno. The salty parmesan, bright and crunchy greens and creamy sauce are simply amazing!
How to Tell When the Pizza is Done Baking
FAQ
Why do people put arugula on pizza?
Do Italians put arugula on their pizza?
Do you put raw or cooked vegetables on pizza?
How to prep veggies for pizza toppings?
Can you put arugula on a pizza?
Dry arugula on a pizza is not good (trust us). All you have to do is toss it in a bowl with olive oil and salt. Use the recipe below, or eyeball the quantities. Once you’ve done this once, you can just eyeball the quantities. Then add to your favorite pizza recipe! You can use arugula topping to go with pizzas of any toppings!
Is Arugula a super food?
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a superfood is a food that is rich in compounds that are considered beneficial to a person’s health. By this definition, arugula can be considered a superfood as it is rich in nutrients, such as vitamin A and vitamin K, that support bone building, blood clotting, immune function, cell growth, eye health, and maintaining heart, lung, and kidney function.
Can you use baby arugula on a pizza?
Use only baby arugula. This does not work with standard arugula: it’s sold in bunches and has large leaves that are very spicy. Instead look for baby arugula: it has a lovely feathery texture and milder flavor. Season the arugula with olive oil and salt. Dry arugula on a pizza is not good (trust us).
Is arugula a good topping for pizza?
You might be surprised, but raw arugula is a popular pizza topping in Italy, and it’s also one of our favorite ones. I ts fresh tangy flavor lends lightness to the tomato sauce and rich mozzarella making a great contrast. It also makes a wonderful match with salty parmesan cheese, turning a simple pizza into a gourmet pizza!