Pizza is truly democratic as it offers a starting base identical for everyone: a simple disk of dough made of water, flour, salt, and yeast. At the same time, pizza is full of freedom: it can be topped with all the possible and imaginable ingredients, as each of us has specific and unique tastes, and it is precisely this versatility that makes it perfect for trying different toppings.
You can opt for a gourmet pizza, a traditional one, or a light one and try unusual combinations with a contemporary flavor.
What can you put on pizza? Practically anything, even pineapple. No, we don't put Fra Diavolo on it, that would be sacrilege!
Don’t have ideas on what toppings to use for pizza and don’t want to settle for the usual, delicious but now widely tested Margherita? Great, then keep reading this article: you will find the right inspiration to top a gourmet pizza!
What does gourmet pizza mean?
Gourmet pizza, often also called contemporary pizza, is a reinterpretation that goes beyond the canonical recipes of tradition, both in terms of dough preparation and the toppings that complete and garnish it. In collective memory, the flavors of pizza are about ten: marinara, margherita, capricciosa, quattro stagioni, quattro formaggi, bufala, diavola, cotto and mushrooms, tuna in oil and onion, ortolana.
A contemporary gourmet pizza, on the other hand, offers new recipes made of structured preparations, innovative doughs, high-quality ingredients, and experimental pairings.
What dough to use for a truly fantastic gourmet pizza?
In gourmet pizza toppings, it is important to balance the amount of ingredients to avoid overpowering the dough, but the choice of flour type is also fundamental and significantly affects the overall taste of the pizza. For example, adding smoked provola and roasted pepper cream to a buckwheat dough would be detrimental: too many similar aromatic notes that would result in an invasive and persistent flavor.
To be on the safe side, at Pizzeria Fra Diavolo we offer three different solutions: classic dough, multigrain low carbs, and vegetable charcoal.
Our advice is to start with a classic white pizza made with 00 flour: you can pair the ingredients without having to find a balance with the natural acidity of tomatoes.
The 15 best toppings for a gourmet pizza
Following the path of innovation, the list of ingredients can become virtually endless, as long as there is a balance between the different flavors. There is room for combinations of vegetables, fish, meat, dairy products, as well as spices, sauces, and herbs. It’s hard to define which pizza flavor is the best, so we’ll help you find at least one preference on which gourmet ingredients to use to top your pizza.
Below is a list of individual toppings, both processed and unprocessed, to use for stuffing and making your gourmet pizza truly unique:
- Confit cherry tomatoes
- Sauteed rapini
- Burrata stracciatella
- Provolone del Monaco
- Tataki tuna
- Cantabrian anchovies
- Smoked salmon
- BBQ pork cap
- Grilled cooked ham
- Guanciale and pumpkin cream
- Pistachio pesto
- Figs
- Friarielli
- Smoked eggplant
- Basil pesto
We’ve found new ideas, now it’s time to put them together to create an explosive layering of flavors!
Gourmet pizza toppings: ideas and combinations
1. Confit tomato, arugula, fiordilatte mozzarella
To become confit, tomatoes must undergo a slow and progressive drying in the oven at a low temperature, covered with layers of oil, aromatic herbs, and especially sugar. Confit cherry tomatoes will resemble sun-dried tomatoes but will have a different, softer, and deeper flavor. They will be the ideal topping for a gourmet raw pizza with fiordilatte mozzarella and wild arugula.
2. Sauteed rapini and CBT tripe
The recipe for this gourmet white pizza is taken from the book “La Pizza Contemporanea” by Simone Padoan, founder of Pizzeria “I Tigli” in San Bonifacio, Verona. Placed on an immaculate white base, the rapini, a symbol of Apulian rurality with its earthy and full flavor, pairs with Low Temperature Cooked Tripe (CBT) which has a soft texture and rich taste. A sprinkle of Parmigiano Reggiano, a grind of pepper, and it’s ready for a tasting with incredible flavors.
3. Burrata stracciatella and capocollo
A gourmet pizza topping that is simple but effective, ideal both in white and red versions (preferably using a tomato sauce with low acidity). Capocollo and stracciatella, an irresistible and distinctly Apulian pairing, with the capocollo releasing fat and seasoning aromas onto the freshly baked pizza (it should be added strictly after baking) and mixing with the stracciatella, creamy and sweet, which will balance the saltiness of the capocollo.
4. Provolone del Monaco and zucchini in two textures
A version of Spaghetti alla Nerano applied to gourmet Neapolitan pizza. Provolone del Monaco, a delicious cheese from the Sorrento Peninsula, is a semi-hard, very flavorful cheese with spicy notes, which in this recipe are softened by the zucchini in two textures, both fried and used as a garnish, and as a cream spread directly on the pizza surface.
5. Tataki tuna, pickled onion, and fiordilatte
No, it’s not a fusion between sushi and pizzeria. It’s a tribute to the timeless classic tuna and onion, revisited in a gourmet key, with a base dough that can be either white or red due to the simplicity of the ingredients. The tuna fillets, marinated in soy sauce and seared externally, will have a soft and tasty center, while the pickled onions will add a touch of acidity to balance the fiordilatte cheese. It will be a fresh, delicious, and somewhat innovative pizza.
6. Cantabrian anchovies, stracciatella, and rosemary
Cantabrian anchovies are known for their high quality and are among the best preserved in oil. Used in this gourmet topping with stracciatella cheese and rosemary, they will give the pizza a unique and refined flavor.
7. Smoked salmon, cream cheese, and cucumber
Another fresh idea is a gourmet pizza with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and cucumber. An excellent balance of flavors with a modern and refined touch.
8. BBQ pork cap, caramelized onions, and Emmental cheese
A particularly rich pizza with BBQ pork cap, paired with caramelized onions for an extra touch of sweetness, and Emmental cheese, which provides a delicate flavor and meltiness.
9. Grilled cooked ham, mushroom cream, and basil
Grilled cooked ham, combined with mushroom cream and garnished with fresh basil, creates a gourmet pizza with a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
10. Guanciale and pumpkin cream
The guanciale, with its fat and aroma, is a perfect match for the pumpkin cream, creating a harmonious and refined flavor.
11. Pistachio pesto and ricotta cheese
A unique and flavorful pizza with pistachio pesto and ricotta cheese, perfect for those who love rich and aromatic flavors.
12. Figs and prosciutto
Figs and prosciutto is a classic combination that works perfectly as a gourmet topping for pizza, offering a balance of sweetness and saltiness.
13. Friarielli, sausage, and smoked mozzarella
The friarielli (broccoli rabe) paired with sausage and smoked mozzarella creates a rich and flavorful pizza with a traditional touch.
14. Smoked eggplant and stracciatella
The smoked eggplant gives an intense flavor, while the stracciatella adds creaminess, creating a delightful gourmet combination.
15. Basil pesto and cherry tomatoes
Basil pesto with cherry tomatoes is a fresh and aromatic combination, ideal for a delicious and refined gourmet pizza.
Experiment and create your perfect pizza with these gourmet topping ideas. Enjoy your culinary adventure!
