Wild Mushroom Pizza from California Pizza Kitchen features a flavorful blend of shiitake, portobello, and crimini mushrooms atop a thin, crispy crust, garnished with fresh herbs and melted mozzarella, delivering a savory and aromatic gourmet experience.
Equipments
- Oven (pizza oven or conventional)
- Rolling pin
- Pizza stone or baking sheet
- Mixing bowls
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Sauté pan or skillet
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- Cheese grater
- Pizza peel (optional)
- Cooling rack (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 thin pizza crust (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cup shiitake mushrooms
- 1/2 cup portobello mushrooms
- 1/2 cup crimini mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated fontina cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon fresh Italian parsley
- Salt
- Black pepper
Using a combination of shiitake, portobello, and crimini mushrooms ensures a rich, earthy flavor that defines the Wild Mushroom Pizza's signature taste. Fresh herbs like thyme and Italian parsley enhance the aroma, while the trio of mozzarella, fontina, and parmesan cheeses creates a creamy, savory texture. Make sure to evenly saute the mushrooms with garlic in olive oil to bring out their natural umami before topping the pizza. Your thin, crispy crust should be pre-baked briefly on a pizza stone or baking sheet for optimal texture. This Wild Mushroom Pizza from California Pizza Kitchen copycat menu captures the genuine gourmet flavors found in the original dish.
Instructions
- Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C) with pizza stone or baking sheet inside.
- Clean and slice shiitake, portobello, and crimini mushrooms.
- Mince garlic cloves.
- Heat olive oil in sauté pan over medium-high heat.
- Add mushrooms and garlic to pan; sauté until mushrooms are browned and moisture evaporates.
- Season mushrooms with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Roll out pizza dough/crust on floured surface to desired thinness.
- Carefully transfer dough to a sheet of parchment paper or a floured pizza peel.
- Evenly spread sautéed mushrooms over the crust.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella, grated fontina, and grated parmesan over mushrooms.
- Transfer pizza (using parchment or peel) to preheated pizza stone or baking sheet.
- Bake for 10–14 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly on a cooling rack (optional).
- Garnish pizza with fresh thyme and chopped Italian parsley.
- Slice and serve immediately.
Substitution
Wild Mushroom Pizza from California Pizza Kitchen showcases a rich mix of shiitake, portobello, and crimini mushrooms on a crispy thin crust topped with fresh herbs and melted cheeses. If you cannot find all three mushroom varieties, button mushrooms or maitake can be excellent substitutes that maintain the earthy flavor profile. Using pre-shredded cheese saves time, but freshly grated mozzarella and fontina improve melt quality and taste. Your pizza stone should be preheated fully in the oven to ensure a crisp crust similar to that of a professional pizza oven. Garlic can be adjusted based on preference, but using fresh cloves maximizes the aromatic impact in the sauteed mushroom mixture.
Tips
Make sure your oven and pizza stone or baking sheet are fully preheated to 475degF (245degC) before baking to achieve a crispy crust. When sauteing mushrooms, cook until all moisture has evaporated to avoid soggy pizza. Rolling your pizza dough to an even thinness ensures consistent baking and prevents undercooked spots. You can use fresh herbs, like thyme and Italian parsley, as a final garnish to enhance flavor and aroma right before serving.
Nutritions
Wild Mushroom Pizza from California Pizza Kitchen provides a nutrient-rich meal, featuring a blend of shiitake, portobello, and crimini mushrooms that deliver fiber, antioxidants, and B vitamins. Mozzarella, fontina, and parmesan cheeses contribute calcium and protein essential for bone health and muscle maintenance. Olive oil adds heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, supporting overall cardiovascular function. Your intake of fresh herbs like thyme and Italian parsley offers additional vitamins and enhances flavor without extra calories.
Storage
Store your Wild Mushroom Pizza in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap to maintain freshness. Place it in the refrigerator and consume within 2-3 days for optimal flavor and texture. When reheating, use an oven or pizza stone to restore the crust's crispiness and evenly melt the cheeses.
Variation or Alternatives
You can experiment with adding caramelized onions or roasted garlic to elevate the flavor profile of the Wild Mushroom Pizza from California Pizza Kitchen. Substitute fontina cheese with gouda or gruyere for a richer, creamier texture that complements the earthy mushrooms. Instead of sauteing, try roasting the mushrooms to concentrate their umami flavor before topping the crust. Using fresh rosemary or sage in place of thyme will offer a different aromatic dimension to your pizza.
Allergies
Wild Mushroom Pizza from California Pizza Kitchen contains dairy products such as mozzarella, fontina, and parmesan cheese, which can trigger allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to milk proteins or lactose intolerant. The pizza also includes gluten in the crust, posing risks for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. You should verify all ingredients and check for cross-contamination if you have allergies to mushrooms or other specific components.
Why this recipe?
Wild Mushroom Pizza from California Pizza Kitchen features a rich blend of shiitake, cremini, and button mushrooms that deliver an earthy, savory flavor profile. The combination of fontina and mozzarella cheeses creates a creamy texture that complements the robust mushroom toppings. Your taste buds will appreciate the fresh rosemary and garlic notes that elevate the overall experience. Trying to make a copycat version allows you to recreate this gourmet pizza at home, ensuring the perfect balance of ingredients tailored to your preference.