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naan pizza on a cooling rack
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4.64 from 69 votes

Naan Pizza

Savory, satisfying naan pizza is ready in 15 minutes (with only five minutes of prep). It's equally at home as a weeknight dinner or a game day/party appetizer. Don't miss it.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Pizza
Cuisine: American
Keyword: naan pizza
Calories: 484kcal
Author: Carolyn Gratzer Cope

Ingredients

  • 4 garlic naan
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
  • 1 cup (237 ml) marinara sauce
  • ¼ cup (66 grams) tomato paste
  • ½ pound (227 grams) fresh mozzarella, sliced
  • ½ cup (60 grams) grated parmesan
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 12 medium-sized fresh basil leaves torn

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F with a rack in the center.
  • Brush olive oil over the surface of the naan.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the marinara sauce and tomato paste. Spread sauce over naan.
  • Divide mozzarella slices among naan, leaving a little bit of space between pieces.
  • Sprinkle with about ⅔ of the parmesan and plenty of freshly ground black pepper.
  • Place pizzas directly on oven rack and bake for 10 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining parmesan and the basil.
  • Serve immediately, cut into slices of whatever size and shape you like.

Notes

  1. Garlic naan makes an easy, flavorful base for these fabulous flatbreads. Brushing them with olive oil and baking them directly on the oven rack crisps them up beautifully on the outside, leaving them tender on the inside. You can use a different flavor of naan or another type of tender but sturdy flatbread if you prefer.
  2. A note on topping quantity: Most of the time, I'm a more-is-more fan where food is concerned. But with pizza toppings, the game changes a bit. You'll need to be reasonably frugal, but not stingy. Too much sauce and fresh mozzarella can get soggy and messy, but too little is no fun. I've offered the best guidance I can with the quantities, but since naan varies in size by brand, you'll have to use your judgment. Smaller varieties may not need the entire quantity listed.
  3. A combination of good-quality marinara sauce and a little bit of tomato paste creates a rich, flavorful pizza sauce that's just the right consistency. As jarred marinara sauces go, I really only ever use the Brooklyn Italian Marinara from Jersey Italian Gravy, or Rao's, if the former isn't available. You can use your favorite.
  4. Fresh mozzarella has a beautiful texture and flavor, and it elevates this dish just a bit. You can substitute shredded low-moisture mozzarella if you prefer.
  5. Choose a good-quality, freshly grated parmesan cheese. It adds a ton of nuanced savoriness. If it's important to you that this dish be vegetarian, be sure to use a parmesan made without animal rennet. Pecorino makes a great choice too, if you prefer.
  6. Torn fresh basil leaves add bursts of freshness and flavor.
  7. Naan pizza is so quick and easy to make, and it's best straight out of the oven. I don't recommend making it in advance. Leftovers can be wrapped in foil or a zip-top bag and kept in the fridge for up to a week. Reheat and re-crisp in the oven or toaster oven.

Toppings to add before baking

  • Sliced bell peppers
  • Thinly sliced onions
  • Sliced mushrooms
  • Sopressata or pepperoni
  • Blanched broccoli

Toppings to add after baking

  • Shiitake bacon
  • Crumbled bacon
  • Prosciutto
  • Arugula tossed with a little olive oil, sea salt, and balsamic vinegar or lemon juice
  • Balsamic glaze
  • Red pepper flakes

Nutrition

Calories: 484kcal | Carbohydrates: 54.9g | Protein: 34.9g | Fat: 14.6g | Fiber: 4.7g