Anchovy Pizza is rich in umami flavor, creamy, and crunchy on the edges.Savory pizza sauce, melting cheese, delicious toppings, and salty anchovies come together to make a homemade pizza that will keep you and your family coming back for more! Pizza night has never been better—it's easy and efficient.
Pizza with anchovies? Real Italian pizza contains anchovies for a reason: these tiny fish are bursting with umami, salt, and savory taste. Better more, anchovies are among the world's most sustainable and nutrient-dense fish!
Every member of our family has a favorite topping, however I personally like trying out new ones. The younger children like a plain Margherita pizza, but the males absolutely adore their Quattro Formaggi pizzas.
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Why I Love This Recipe
- Bold tastes. If you enjoy strong flavors, this is the pizza for you!
- Italian classic. Pizza and anchovies have been a popular pairing in Italy for ages. This custom "cocina povera"
- Flavor contrast. Creamy mozzarella pairs beautifully with salty anchovies, making for a delightful flavor contrast.
- Thick crust. Pizza al taglio refers to pizza baked in rectangular pans with a thick crust and a variety of toppings. It's offered by the slice and is a popular and delicious street dish. Pizza al taglio translates as "pizza by the cut".
Main Ingredients
This traditional pizza only requires a few basic ingredients:
- Pizza dough. This isn't a pizza dough recipe, but I will be posting one shortly. Use your favorite dough recipe if you already have one. If not, store-bought dough works fine here, but you could also want to buy dough from your neighborhood pizzeria. Compared to dough purchased from a supermarket, this dough is fresher, will taste better, and is likely to be simpler to shape and form.
- pizza sauce. Making your own basic pizza sauce is straightforward. You can also use your preferred store-bought brand if you have one.
- Filets of anchovies. Watch the anchovies go when you give me a can of them. I can tell you don't simply pick up any tin because it's one of my favorite items to work with and eat.
- Parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Select mozzarella that is low in moisture. Drain the fresh mozzarella thoroughly if it's packaged in whey. Pre-shredded mozzarella doesn't melt as well, so stay away from it. It is recommended to grate or chop the cheese.
- Kalamata olives. Kalamata olives are an additional optional garnish that adds a layer of salty, briny taste. Slice the olives if you choose to use them so they equally coat the pizza.
- Red Onion. I adore red onions because they have a strong, slightly sweet flavor that goes well with pizza.
- Chili. If you don't like spicy, you may omit the crushed red pepper, but it really brings out the tastes of the other toppings!
How to Make Anchovy Pizza
This easy pizza is very easy to make! What you'll do is this.
- Get oven ready. Get the oven ready. Set your oven's temperature to 500°F (260°C) or as high as it will go. Sprinkle flour or cornmeal on your pizza peel, pizza pan, pizza stone, or baking sheet. If using a pizza stone, heat it by placing the stone immediately on the middle rack of the oven.
- Get the dough ready. The dough should be stretched. After punching down your dough, use floured hands to stretch dough into a round shape.
- Garnish. Top with grated mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese after adding pizza sauce evenly. Then top the cheese with the anchovy fillets from one can, and garnish with eight sliced Kalamata olives, if using, ¼ of sliced red onion, and 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste.
- Bake until done. The pizza should be baked until the dough is golden brown and cooked through. For an oven, this will take ten to fifteen minutes, and for a high temperature oven, it will take two to three minutes.
- Finish and serve. Add fresh dill, lemon slices, and anchovies to the pizza to finish it off. Serve right away.
Variations and Substitutions
- Spicy: Before baking, sprinkle red pepper flakes on top of the pizzas to provide a little spiciness.
- Garlicky: To the tomato sauce, add a large clove of peeled and finely chopped garlic.
- Additional toppings: Sprinkle the tomato puree with caramelized onions prior to baking. Once baked, garnish the anchovy pizza with arugula or rocket leaves and a few dollopings of sun-dried tomato pesto or black olive olivada.
Frequently Asked Questions
There's not a very good substitute for anchovy fillets on pizza. I would suggest either integrating a few fillets into the pizza sauce, skipping completely, or cutting the fillets into smaller pieces to get acclimated to the unique but great flavor! This pizza will be fantastic no matter how you cook it!
The anchovy fillets give anchovy pizza its unique savory and salty flavor. The taste of the anchovies, especially when baked on the pizza, mellows out the fishy smell they may have. Many people, including myself, find the distinct flavor created by the umami-rich fish, creamy cheese, and tart tomato sauce to be enticing.
Yes, you may substitute a pizza steel or baking sheet for a pizza stone. Make sure to par-bake the dough before adding the toppings because this will help to ensure that the crust bakes nice and evenly.
The pizza sauce used in this dish has a different consistency than marinara. Since pizza sauce serves as a foundation that all of the toppings highlight, it is typically thicker and more concentrated. Marinara is normally a little thinner and seasoned slightly differently because it is typically consumed on its own. In a pinch, marinara is fine, but try creating my delicious pizza sauce instead!
What to Serve with Anchovy Pizza
You may want to serve this anchovy pizza with a side dish or two, but it makes a great pizza night meal. Here are some delicious serving ideas:
- Caesar Salad: Incorporate the anchovy element into your entire meal with this delectable salad. I enjoy including kale in my salad to boost the nutritional value of the dish. Brussels sprouts can also be used as an alternative to caesar salad.
- Greek Salad: Add cucumbers, tomatoes, and salty feta cheese to add even more tastes.
- Salad with Shaved Asparagus
- Chopped salad of kale
- Salad with Chick-fil-A Kale
- Green Beans with Blisters
- Asparagus with Lemon Pepper
If you tried this Anchovy Pizza or any other recipe on my website, please feel free to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. And remember to tag me on Instagram!
More Easy Dinner Recipes
- Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs (Frozen Meatballs)
- Quick And Easy Dump And Bake Meatball Casserole
- The Best Chicken Mozzarella Pasta
- The Best Crispy Chicken Parmesan
- EASY Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf Recipe
Recipe
BEST Homemade Anchovy Pizza Recipe (Homemade Dough!)
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pizza dough ball homemade
- 6 anchovy fillets from a jar or can
- 8 Kalamata olives
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ cup pizza sauce homemade
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- basil leaves
- 1 handful thinly sliced red onion
INSTRUCTIONS
- Using your hands, carefully stretch the dough into a 12-inch square or circle on a clean work surface, being careful to maintain a uniform thickness throughout. Or roll the dough into a 12-inch square or circle using a rolling pin.
- Add oregano, tomato sauce, anchovy fillets, onion, parmesan and shredded mozzarella on top. If desired, add olives.
- Bake until golden and crusty, about 15 minutes.
- Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and serve right away. Have fun!
NOTES
- Prepare your sauce and dough in advance.
- Stretch your dough by hand rather than rolling it.
- Instead of using anchovies packed in water, use those packed in oil.
- Use a very hot oven, ideally 500°F (260°C), to bake your pizza.
Celeste Hayes says
'Simple yet delicious' perfectly describes this anchovy pizza recipe! The crispy crust combined with those savory little fish creates an unforgettable taste experience. I'm definitely going to experiment with different cheeses next time—sounds amazing!
Frances Rose says
This recipe is a total winner for pizza night! It’s so easy to throw together, especially with store-bought dough. I love how the umami from the anchovies pairs with the rich tomato sauce; it’s simply delightful!
Rachel Harris says
I never thought I'd enjoy anchovy pizza, but this recipe changed my mind completely! The blend of flavors is fantastic—the sharpness from the Parmesan really complements those salty fillets. Definitely adding this to my regular rotation!
Allison Cooper says
'Absolutely obsessed' is how I feel about this dish! The way all these flavors come together is incredible—the creaminess of the mozzarella balanced by the briny anchovies makes every bite exciting. Can't wait to share this with friends!
Daisy Hamilton says
Anchovies on pizza? Yes, please! This recipe makes it so approachable. I love how you can customize it with extra toppings too; it opens up a world of possibilities for flavor combinations that are just mouthwatering.
Laila James says
This pizza sounds like a dream come true for any foodie! The layers of flavor—from tangy sauce to creamy cheese and those tasty anchovies—are just perfection. Can’t wait to try making it myself at home!
Lena Ford says
'Wow' is all I can say about this pizza! I've always been hesitant about anchovies, but they really do add something special here. Plus, who doesn't love a quick and easy dinner option that tastes gourmet?
Angelica King says
Who knew anchovies could be such a game-changer on pizza? The combination of creamy mozzarella and salty anchovies creates this perfect balance that’s just delicious. Plus, the fresh basil adds such a lovely touch to each slice!
Amelia Diaz says
I have to say, I was a little skeptical about anchovies on pizza at first. But once I tried it, I was hooked! The salty flavor really enhances the whole experience, making every bite so flavorful and satisfying.