Veneziana from PizzaExpress features a thin, crispy pizza base topped with rich tomato sauce, melted mozzarella cheese, savory ham, and sweet caramelized onions, delivering a harmonious blend of smoky and tangy flavors with a golden, bubbly crust.
Equipments
- Oven (preferably pizza oven)
- Pizza stone or baking tray
- Rolling pin
- Mixing bowls
- Spoon or ladle (for sauce)
- Chef’s knife
- Chopping board
- Saucepan (for caramelizing onions)
- Tongs or spatula
- Grater (for cheese)
- Kitchen scale (optional, for dough)
- Pizza cutter
Ingredients
- For the Veneziana from PizzaExpress:
- Pizza dough
- Tomato sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
- Ham
- Onions
- Olive oil
- Sugar
- Salt
Using fresh mozzarella cheese ensures a creamy melt that enhances the pizza's texture and flavor. Caramelizing the onions slowly with a bit of sugar brings out their natural sweetness, balancing the savory ham perfectly. Choose a high-quality, thin crust pizza dough for that classic crispy base reminiscent of PizzaExpress. Your tomato sauce should have a rich, tangy taste to complement the toppings and create depth in every bite. To replicate the Veneziana from PizzaExpress, focus on balancing smoky ham with sweet onions on a golden, bubbly crust.
Instructions
- Instructions:
- Preheat oven with pizza stone or baking tray inside to highest setting (250°C/482°F or higher).
- Roll out pizza dough on a floured surface with rolling pin to desired thinness.
- Prepare caramelized onions:
- a. Slice onions.
- b. Heat olive oil in saucepan.
- c. Add onions, a pinch of salt, and sugar.
- d. Cook on low heat, stirring until golden and caramelized.
- Grate mozzarella cheese.
- Slice or chop ham.
- Spread tomato sauce evenly over rolled dough using spoon or ladle.
- Sprinkle grated mozzarella over the sauce.
- Top with ham pieces.
- Distribute caramelized onions on top.
- Drizzle a little olive oil over the pizza.
- Transfer pizza to preheated stone or tray using tongs or spatula.
- Bake in oven until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly (8-12 minutes).
- Remove from oven and let cool briefly.
- Slice with pizza cutter and serve.
Substitution
If you're making a Veneziana from PizzaExpress copycat menu at home and don't have a pizza stone, a preheated baking tray works well to achieve a crispy base. When caramelizing onions, using a pinch of sugar helps bring out their natural sweetness as in the original recipe. You can substitute ham with smoked turkey or bacon if preferred, maintaining the savory flavor profile. For the tomato sauce, opt for quality canned tomatoes if fresh ones are unavailable, and blend for a smooth consistency. Your oven temperature should be set to its highest setting to replicate the golden, bubbly crust typical of this pizza.
Tips
Make sure your pizza stone or baking tray is fully preheated to ensure a crispy, golden crust when baking. Rolling the dough evenly thin helps cook the base thoroughly without sogginess, so measure thickness consistently to avoid uneven baking. When caramelizing onions, keep the heat low to prevent burning and allow the sugars to develop a deep, sweet flavor essential for the Veneziana's signature taste. You should let the pizza rest for a minute after baking to let the cheese set slightly, making slicing easier and preventing toppings from sliding off.
Nutritions
The Veneziana pizza provides a balanced mix of macronutrients with carbohydrates from the thin, crispy dough and protein from mozzarella cheese and ham. Tomato sauce and caramelized onions offer dietary fiber and antioxidants like lycopene and quercetin, supporting digestion and heart health. Olive oil adds healthy monounsaturated fats, contributing to improved cholesterol levels. You can enjoy a flavorful meal while benefiting from vitamins A and C, calcium, and essential minerals found in its fresh ingredients.
Storage
Store leftover Veneziana pizza wrapped tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to maintain crispness and prevent moisture loss. Keep it refrigerated at or below 4degC (39degF) and consume within 2-3 days for the best flavor and texture. Reheat in a preheated oven or pizza stone to restore the crispy crust and melted cheese experience.
Variation or Alternatives
You can elevate the Veneziana by substituting the regular ham with prosciutto for a richer, saltier flavor. Swap mozzarella for smoked mozzarella or a blend of mozzarella and fontina cheese to enhance the smoky notes. Try caramelizing the onions with balsamic vinegar for added depth and a subtle sweetness. Using a pizza stone preheated for at least 45 minutes will help achieve an even crispier crust and better overall texture.
Allergies
The Veneziana from PizzaExpress contains common allergens such as gluten in the pizza dough and dairy in the mozzarella cheese. If you have a lactose intolerance or a gluten sensitivity, it's important to be cautious when enjoying this pizza. You should also be aware that the ham may pose issues for individuals with pork allergies or dietary restrictions.
Why this recipe?
The Veneziana menu from PizzaExpress is loved for its authentic Italian flavors featuring high-quality ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes and mozzarella di bufala. Its perfect balance of tangy tomato sauce, creamy cheese, and savory toppings creates a deliciously satisfying experience. You can recreate this culinary delight at home by trying the copycat recipe and enjoy fresh, customizable pizza without waiting. Replicating the Veneziana pizza offers a great way to impress friends and family with a taste of Italy.