Rustica
Originally from Italy, this Rustica pizza is a scrummy vegetarian pizza worth eating.
Baked as shown, this pizza has an enticing flavor paired with a classic smell.
Ensure you always pick delicious ingredients and complement them with a perfect base for you and friends to enjoy a enjoyable homemade pizza meal.
If you’re in the mood for a Vegetarian pizza with Tomato sauce here is the sign you need to get one.
Making pizza at home is a great idea for so many reasons! For one, it allows you to have complete control over the ingredients and toppings, so you can make sure you’re using high-quality, fresh ingredients and also cater to any dietary restriction or preference you may have.
Another reason is that it’s a fun and interactive experience for everyone. Whether you’re cooking with friends and family, or making it with your kids, it’s a great way to bond and have fun in the kitchen. Plus, it can also be more cost-effective than ordering out or going to a pizzeria. You can use whatever ingredients you have on hand and make pizza that can be as affordable as you want it to be.
Furthermore, making pizza at home is a great way to showcase your culinary skills and impress your guests. A homemade pizza, made with a homemade dough and sauce, can be a real crowd-pleaser and a sure way to make a memorable meal. So, next time you’re craving pizza, why not give making it at home a try? You’ll be amazed at how delicious and satisfying it can be!
Pizza in Italy
A Naples invention, Pizza originated in Italy in the 1700’s, and they know how to craft the perfect pizza. Naples is the most famous location for pizza in the entire world, and you can still visit the world’s oldest pizzeria, the stunning Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba.
Take a look at some of the other pizzas from Italy here.
| Origin | Italy |
| Type | Vegetarian |
| Sauce | Tomato Sauce |
Rustica Pizza Recipe
Below we’ve put together a recipe for you to make your own homemade Rustica Pizza using a woodfired oven or your kitchen oven.
| Dough | 2 hours |
| Assembly | 10 minutes |
| Baking | 12-20 minutes |
Rustica Pizza Ingredients
Choose enough pizza toppings for the amount of pizzas you will be creating. The pizza sauce and dough ingredients below are designed for 3-4 pizzas, so add more or less, if required.
Simple Pizza dough
- 2 tsps (7 g sachet) dried yeast
- 1 cup (250 ml) luke-warm water
- 2 2/3 cups (400 grams) pizza flour
- Two tsps salt
- 3 tbsps (1/4 cup) virgin olive oil
Rustica Pizza Toppings
Toppings used in this pizza recipe, are;
- Gorgonzola
- Mozzarella
- Eggplant
Simple Tomato Pizza Sauce
- 1 can (15oz/420g) diced or crushed tomatoes
- 1 (6oz/170g) can of tomato paste
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 small onion
- 1 tbsp dried Italian herbs
Want to try a different sauce? See our article on the different types of pizza sauces.
TIP
You can click on any of the tags at the bottom of this page, to find other pizzas besides Rustica Pizza, that use that topping.
Pizza Dough Method
Either make your own pizza dough following the simple steps below, or buy a premade pizza base at your local store.
- Whisk yeast and lukewarm water in glass or plastic container. Let stand for approximately 5 minutes.
- Add flour and salt in a large bowl. Create a well in the centre of the flour. Pour in the liquid yeast mixture and the oil.
- Using your hands or a mixer, mix the dough until smooth. Pour dough on a lightly floured work surface and then knead by hand for five minutes.
- Place dough into lightly oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Sit in a warm place for roughly 30 minutes to an hour, to rise until it doubles in size.
- Fold the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead gently by hand for around five minutes or until smooth.
- Spread some flour on kitchen bench before rolling, in order to prevent sticking.
- Divide the dough roughly into equal amounts. Roll out pizza bases for the desired size.
TIP: We have other dough recipes if you would like to try your hand at sourdough, poolish or more.
Tomato Pizza Sauce Method
If you’re tired of store-bought tomato sauce, why not try making your own with the recipe provided?
- Mix ingredients in a large bowl.
- Mix well using a whisk, or blender.
- Leave sitting for five minutes.
- Your sauce is now ready. Enjoy!
- Keep sauce in fridge or freeze for future use.
Salt and pepper are essential seasonings, don’t forget to adjust to your taste.
Preparing Rustica Pizza
Start by heating your oven to at least 450 degrees.
Spread out your dough on a well floured surface.
If you have a pizza peel, flour the peel and create your pizza on it.
Start by spreading the sauce all over the base. This pizza uses Tomato Sauce. Spread the Tomato Sauce Thinly yet evenly, leaving a margin for the crust.
Add the largest toppings first – typically meat or seafood, then the smaller toppings.
Add cheese last, and sprinkle it all over to help keep the toppings in place when it melts.
This pizza has the following toppings:
- Gorgonzola
- Mozzarella
- Eggplant
I find this pizza tasty as is, or you could enjoy it with a simple side dish?
Cooking time
Put the Rustica pizza in oven, and set alarm for ten minutes.
After 10 minutes, open the door and see how cooked pizza is.
Pizza should be ready within 15 minutes. However, allow it to cook to personal taste.
About Gorgonzola
Often referred to as blue cheese, Gorgonzola is made from cow’s milk, boasting milder flavours than those of other blue cheeses. What sets it apart from other blue cheeses is its deep roots in Italian artisanship, still influencing production today.
Gorgonzola shares many of the traits seen in similar cheeses from other culinary cultures, with the level of intensity and sharpness often being the strongest difference.
Pizza Tools
When making Rustica Pizza, it’s always handy to have the right pizza making tools. Here’s the basic pizza tools that I always suggest…
Glass Measuring Jug
I hate taking chances with portions, so having a quality glass jug with clear to read measurements a vital kitchen tool for me.
Chef Apron
OK, not really pizza related, but a good chef apron makes me feel the part when I am making my pizzas. I’d probably wear a chef hat if I got one too!
Pastry Brush
A pastry brush is vital if you need to ever coat your dough in water, oil, eggs or more. They are cheap to have and very handy to use.
Eggplant
Often called aubergine, Eggplant is a low calorie vegetable with high amounts of fiber and a range of nutrients. The humble eggplant spread into Southern Italy during the 9th century, as Arabs brought them along with them as they expanded into the region.
When first growing, Eggplants grow small oval, white fruits that look just like eggs from Chicken. As a result, British gardeners named these “egg-plants” for their appearance.
Storage Tips
Here are a few storage tips, if you have any dough or pizza left over after the meal.
Store in the fridge
Leftover slices of pizza may be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating pizza
Warm in the center of a 450 degree F oven for approximately 6 minutes, on a pizza stone if possible, until heated through. See our article on reheating pizza for more.
Freezer guide
You can store leftover pizza in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen as directed above until heated through.
Vegetarian Pizzas
Keen on seeing more than Rustica pizza? We have plenty of other Vegetarian pizza recipes to look at, as well. Enjoy!
Pizza making FAQ
Want to know how to make fantastic pizza at home? Here are some helpful answers to the most frequently asked questions.
How many slices are in a pizza?
A typical pizza has either 6, 8 or 12 slices, depending on the size and who cuts it up.
How do I prevent dough from sticking to my kitchen bench?
I also recommend a good amount of flour or polenta to be dusted on surfaces. Polenta, having a larger, rounder grain, is perfect to put on your pizza peel or paddle, to slide the pizza on and off easily.
How long to cook a pizza?
It can take anywhere form a few minutes to 20 minutes to cook a pizza, depending on the temperature and heating device used.
Have you made Rustica Pizza?
What did you think of Rustica Pizza ? We’re curious! Tag us on our Pinterest, Facebook or Twitter and let us know what you thought of it! I’d love to know.
Featured image: Source
