This Caesar salad pizza is quick and simple to make — fresh salad on top of pizza for a bright summer meal. A base of fresh mozzarella pizza is finished with crisp romaine, ripe tomatoes, shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano and a drizzle of Caesar dressing. Light, flavorful, and perfect for warm evenings.
Start with an easy homemade pizza dough. If you’d like to grill your pizza, see the “Grilling Caesar Salad Pizza” section below for tips and techniques.
This post was first published on 07/9/2018.
Homemade pizza dough is brushed with olive oil and garlic, topped with fresh mozzarella, then piled with a chilled romaine Caesar salad and vine-ripened tomatoes. Finish with freshly shaved Parmigiano and a generous drizzle of Caesar dressing for contrast between warm crust and cool salad.
I’ve been making this Caesar salad pizza regularly — it disappears fast at my table. The combination of crisp lettuce and warm cheesy crust is surprisingly perfect for summer dinners.
This is a great vegetarian option, and if you want added protein, shredded cooked chicken blends beautifully with the salad.
Grilling Caesar Salad Pizza
Grilling the pizza gives it a smoky, slightly charred flavor and makes for a fun outdoor dinner. Divide the dough into portions and roll or stretch each piece on a well-floured surface so it doesn’t stick or tear.
The shape can be rustic and freeform — that’s part of grilled pizza’s charm. To help prevent sticking, rub the cut side of an onion over the hot grill grates to create a natural nonstick surface.
Place the stretched dough directly on the grill and cook until the underside has good color and char marks. Flip it, immediately brush the top with olive oil and garlic, and add the mozzarella so it melts quickly.
Once the pizza is off the grill, slice it, then top with the prepared Caesar salad. Cutting before adding the salad makes serving easier.
Tip: Grill a couple of chicken breasts seasoned with olive oil, salt and pepper while you’re heating the grill. Shred them and toss into the Caesar salad for added protein.
How To Make Caesar Salad Pizza In The Oven
Preheat your oven and prepare your stretched pizza dough on a peel or baking sheet. Mix olive oil with crushed garlic and brush it across the pizza, keeping a small margin at the edges.
Top with fresh mozzarella — the softer, milky balls packed in liquid work especially well here — and season lightly with salt and pepper. Bake on a pizza stone or hot baking surface until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted, about 5–7 minutes at a high temperature.
While the pizza bakes, assemble the Caesar salad: torn romaine, tomato wedges, and fresh shaved Parmigiano mixed with Caesar dressing. When the pizza is done, let it rest briefly, cut into slices, then pile the salad on top and finish with the remaining Parmigiano.
Summer doesn’t mean giving up pizza — this recipe brings both the comfort of pizza and the freshness of salad together. It’s fast to prep, easy to clean up, and quickly eaten.
Serve with a simple side like an avocado-corn-tomato salad or baked chicken drumsticks if you want a heartier meal. Leftovers are rare because this pizza tends to get devoured right away.
FAQ
Yes. Shredded chicken (rotisserie or leftover cooked chicken) is an excellent addition — mix it into the Caesar salad before topping the pizza.
Store-bought dough works well. Bring it to room temperature by removing it from its packaging, forming it into a ball, and covering it lightly until it relaxes — cold dough is harder to stretch.
To reduce calories, use flatbreads or a thinner crust and add extra vegetables to the salad. Lean grilled chicken is a good protein option without adding too much fat.
Homemade Pizza Recipes
- Green Vegetable Pesto Garden Pizza – ideal for vegetable lovers
- Hawaiian Pizza – ham and pineapple on an olive oil base
- Mellow Mushroom Kosmic Karma Copycat – with sun-dried tomatoes, feta and pesto
- Homemade Pizza Dough — a reliable go-to dough recipe
- Copycat Mellow Mushroom Dough — versatile for pretzels and pizza
- Mellow Mushroom Pacific Rim Pizza Copycat – pineapple, Canadian bacon, bacon and jalapeño
- Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza – a favorite for BBQ lovers
Caesar Salad Pizza
Fluffy pizza dough brushed with olive oil and garlic, topped with mozzarella, and finished with a chilled Caesar salad — great in the oven or on the grill.
Ingredients
- 1 pizza dough ball (recipe link in notes for homemade)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed and minced
- Salt and pepper
- 2 c mozzarella cheese
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 vine-ripened tomatoes, cut up
- ¼ c freshly sliced Parmigiano-Reggiano
- Caesar salad dressing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C).
- Stretch the pizza dough and brush with olive oil and garlic; season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Top with mozzarella.
- Bake for 5–7 minutes or until the edges begin to turn golden and the cheese is melted.
- In a bowl, toss romaine, tomatoes, half the Parmigiano and Caesar dressing.
- Remove pizza from the oven and let rest 3–5 minutes.
- Slice the pizza and top with the assembled salad.
- Sprinkle remaining Parmigiano over the top and serve.
Notes
- For grilling instructions, see the “Grilling Caesar Salad Pizza” section above.
- Use a pizza stone or a very hot baking surface for best crust results.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8
Serving Size: 1 slice
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 191
Total Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 26mg
Sodium: 366mg
Carbohydrates: 7g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 9g
Nutrition figures are estimates from online calculators.