Stracciatella and Pancetta Pizza
Today, we’re combining creamy stracciatella, crispy pancetta, and a touch of heat from chilli oil for a luxurious and satisfying pizza experience.
Pancetta, an Italian cured pork, is known for its rich, salty flavour and delicate fat marbling that crisps beautifully when baked. The pancetta is added before baking, allowing it to render slightly and infuse the pizza with its deep, savoury essence. Once out of the oven, the pizza is topped with stracciatella, a luscious, creamy Italian cheese made from shredded mozzarella soaked in cream. The contrast between the crispy pancetta and the silky stracciatella creates an indulgent balance of flavour and texture.
A sprinkle of dried oregano enhances the aroma and depth of flavour, while a light drizzle of chilli oil adds a subtle kick to the rich toppings. Fresh basil is used as a final garnish, providing a burst of freshness that ties everything together.
Stracciatella and Pancetta Pizza
Equipment
- Outdoor Pizza Oven, Pizza Steel, or Stone (if using a home oven)
- 1 Pizza Peel
- 1 wooden chopping board or peel for prep and serving
Ingredients
- 1 pizza dough ball
- Stracciatella cheese
- Pancetta
- Fresh basil leaves
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Chilli oil
- Dried oregano
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: Follow any of our dough recipes. You will need to prepare the dough at least 24 hours ahead of time.
- Prepare Stracciatella: Stracciatella cheese should be kept chilled until needed. No preparation is required beforehand, as it will be added after baking.
- Prepare Pancetta: Slice the pancetta into thin pieces if not pre-sliced. Set aside for assembly.
- Preheat Oven:If using an outdoor pizza like an Ooni pizza oven, aim for a temperature of 450-500°C at the center of your pizza stone. Use an infrared thermometer to ensure accuracy. It should take around 25-30 minutes to reach temperature.For a home oven, using a pizza steel or stone, place the stone or steel inside the oven and preheat to the highest temperature for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare Base: On a lightly floured surface, stretch out the dough by hand according to the steps outlined in our dough recipe. Once you're happy with the shape of the base, lightly dust your pizza peel and transfer the dough onto the peel.
- Assemble Pizza: Evenly distribute the pancetta across the dough. Drizzle with EVOO.
- Bake Your Pizza:If you're using an outdoor pizza oven, launch the pizza into the oven and bake for 60-90 seconds. Keep an eye on the pie and rotate every 10-15 seconds to ensure even cooking and to avoid burning.For a home oven with a pizza steel or stone, the bake time should be around 7-10 minutes.
- Post-Bake Garnish: Once the pizza is baked, remove from oven and place on a serving board. Sprinkle dried oregano over the top. Add generous dollops of stracciatella cheese, followed by a light drizzle of chilli oil. Finish with fresh basil leaves for garnish.
- Serving: Now, it’s time to enjoy your Stracciatella and Pancetta Pizza, the perfect balance of creamy stracciatella cheese, crispy pancetta, and aromatic basil with a touch of spice!
