This Bolognese Pizza is one you're going to want to share with all of your friends and family. Made using leftover bolognese sauce, homemade pizza dough, and mozzarella cheese, it truly is one of the most delicious and satisfying pizzas I've ever had.
Homemade pizza is a weekend staple at our house. My fiancé and I love getting creative with toppings - think kale, figs, and goat cheese on a sourdough crust.
Pizza is also a great way to repurpose leftovers. After making a big batch of linguine bolognese recently, I found myself with extra sauce. So, I decided to get creative and turn it into a bolognese pizza.
This pizza is as amazing as it sounds - rich, flavorful, and super satisfying. As it bakes, the oils from the bolognese bubble up, blending perfectly with the melty cheese on top.
It’s a perfect match for either my sourdough discard pizza dough or my whole wheat sourdough pizza dough - both of which you can easily keep in the freezer for last-minute pizza nights.
So, if you've got sourdough pizza dough in the freezer and leftover bolognese sauce, why not turn them into pizza?
I hope you give this recipe a try and enjoy it as much as we do!
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Ingredients & Substitutions
Here are some notes on key ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.
- Bolognese Sauce- I used my leftover homemade bolognese sauce for this pizza, but feel free to use your favorite recipe or store-bought version in place of traditional pizza sauce.
- Pizza Dough- You can try my sourdough discard pizza dough, whole wheat sourdough pizza dough, or grab a fresh dough ball from the store.
- Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese- If there’s one tip I’d give for homemade pizza, it’s to shred your own mozzarella. It takes a little more effort, but it melts and tastes better than pre-shredded cheese.
Tips for Success
- Try sourdough crust for extra flavor. Sourdough pizza dough creates a tangy, chewy crust that pairs well with rich bolognese sauce.
- Preheat your pizza stone. Just like your oven, the pizza stone needs to be preheated. Once your oven reaches 550°F, let the stone heat for at least 30 more minutes.
- Keep the oven closed. Every time you open the oven, you lose heat, which can affect the crust. Work quickly and only open the door when necessary to keep the oven as hot as possible.
- Use flour or parchment paper. Lightly flour your pizza peel to prevent sticking, then add your toppings quickly. Shake the peel side-to-side to loosen the dough, and use a back-and-forth motion to slide the pizza onto the stone. Alternatively, you can place a sheet of parchment paper under the pizza for easier transfer.
How to Make Bolognese Pizza
Here is how to make homemade pizza with bolognese sauce.
Step 1: Prepare the oven. Start by placing your pizza stone on a rack inside the lower third of your oven while the oven is still cold. Preheat the oven to 550°F. Once the oven has reached temperature, allow the pizza stone to preheat for another 30 minutes or so.
Step 2: Stretch the dough. Remove your pizza dough from the refrigerator approximately 30 minutes before stretching to allow it to come to room temperature. This will help the gluten relax and make the dough easier to stretch. Stretch your pizza dough to the desired size and place it on a lightly floured pizza peel.
Step 3: Assemble the pizza. Once your dough is stretched and on the peel, spread the bolognese sauce evenly over the surface of the dough. Make sure to leave a little area around the edge to be your crust. Then, sprinkle your mozzarella cheese over the bolognese sauce.
Step 4: Bake the pizza. Carefully slide your pizza off of the peel and onto the pizza stone in the oven. Try to do this quickly to allow as little heat to escape as possible. Bake the pizza for approximately 8-10 minutes or until all of the cheese is bubbling and beginning to turn golden brown.
Step 5: Remove the pizza. Using oven mitts, lift the pizza stone out of the oven and slide the pizza off onto a cooling rack. Place the pizza stone back in the oven and allow it to cool. Letting it cool outside of the oven may cause it to crack due to the temperature change.
Alternatives to a Pizza Stone
If you make pizza at home often, I recommend getting a pizza stone - it’s a game-changer. It helps create a crispy, restaurant-quality crust by evenly distributing heat.
But if you don’t have one yet, no worries!
You can still make great pizza using a baking sheet or cast iron skillet. You can also try grilling it for a smoky flavor. Each method gives a unique result, so feel free to experiment and find your favorite.
How to Store
Store leftover bolognese pizza in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until heated through and the crust is crispy.
For longer storage, wrap the pizza in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place it in a freezer-safe bag or double wrap it to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the oven to restore the crispy crust.
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Let's Connect!
Be sure to leave a comment below if you have any questions. You can also connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or via email at [email protected].
📖 Recipe
Bolognese Pizza
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large pizza dough or whole wheat pizza dough
- 1 cup bolognese sauce
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese low-moisture, part-skim, shredded
- All-purpose flour for dusting
Instructions
- Place your pizza stone on a rack inside the lower third of the oven while the oven is still cold. Preheat the oven to 550°F. Once the oven has reached temperature, allow the pizza stone to preheat for an additional 30 minutes or so.
- Remove the pizza dough from the refrigerator approximately 30 minutes before stretching to allow it to come to room temperature. Stretch the pizza dough to the desired size and place it on a lightly floured pizza peel.1 large pizza dough, All-purpose flour
- Once the dough is stretched and on the peel, spread the bolognese sauce evenly over the surface of the dough. Then, sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the bolognese sauce.1 cup bolognese sauce, 8 ounces mozzarella cheese
- Carefully slide the pizza off of the peel and onto the pizza stone in the oven. Try to do this quickly to allow as little heat to escape as possible. Bake the pizza for approximately 8-10 minutes or until all of the cheese is bubbling and beginning to turn golden brown.
- Using oven mitts, lift the pizza stone out of the oven and slide the pizza off onto a cooling rack. Allow the pizza to rest for about 10 minutes prior to slicing.
Notes
- Storage: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- No Pizza Stone? You can use a baking sheet, cast-iron skillet, or grill for unique results - experiment and find your favorite!
Patricia says
Bolognese is one of my favorite Italian dishes. I loved turning my leftovers into a pizza. Thanks for this fun recipe!
Ashley Petrie says
Mine too! So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks 🙂