Seafood Italiano Pizza

Seafood Italiano Pizza combines a crisp pizza crust with a restrained layer of tomato sauce, mozzarella, and mixed seafood. The key is to use well-drained toppings and cook the seafood only briefly so the pizza stays crisp and the seafood remains tender.

Ingredients

• 1 pizza dough ball
• Tomato pizza sauce
• Fresh mozzarella, thoroughly drained and torn into small pieces
• Peeled shrimp
• Cleaned calamari, sliced into rings
• Cooked mussel meat
• 1 small garlic clove, finely sliced
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Dried oregano or chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Lemon wedges, for serving

Preparation

1. Heat the oven and a pizza stone or steel to the highest safe temperature available.
2. Pat the seafood completely dry. Briefly sauté raw shrimp and calamari in olive oil until barely cooked, then set them aside. This helps prevent excess liquid from soaking the crust.
3. Stretch the dough into a thin round and place it on a prepared pizza peel or baking tray.
4. Spread on a light coating of tomato sauce, leaving the edge uncovered. Add the mozzarella and sliced garlic.
5. Bake until the crust begins to brown and the cheese is bubbling.
6. Add the prepared seafood and return the pizza to the oven just long enough to heat the toppings and finish the crust.
7. Season with oregano or parsley, black pepper, and a small drizzle of olive oil. Serve with lemon wedges.

Tips for Better Seafood Pizza

• Avoid overloading the crust: Too much sauce, cheese, or seafood can make the center soggy.
• Dry every topping: Drain mozzarella and blot seafood before assembling the pizza.
• Cook delicate seafood briefly: Shrimp and calamari can become tough when exposed to high heat for too long.
• Add fresh flavor after baking: Parsley, lemon, or a little chili oil complements seafood without overwhelming it.

Serving

Serve the pizza immediately while its crust is crisp. A simple green salad makes a suitable accompaniment. Because shellfish and cheese are common allergens, diners should confirm that the selected seafood and dairy ingredients meet their dietary needs.