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Polenta Caprese Pizza

This polenta caprese pizza offers a creative and naturally gluten-free twist on the beloved Italian classic. By replacing traditional dough with a savoury, chilled cornmeal base, you achieve a delightful contrast between the crispy, golden edges and the soft, rich centre. Topped with a vibrant homemade sauce of burst cherry tomatoes and melting pockets of fresh mozzarella, it provides all the comfort of a standard pizza with a more sophisticated, rustic texture.

As a versatile vegetarian main, this dish is perfect for a relaxed weekend dinner or a stylish mid-week meal. Preparing the polenta crust in advance makes it an excellent choice for entertaining, allowing the flavours of the fresh basil and sautéed shallots to truly shine. Serve it sliced into generous squares alongside a crisp green salad for a wholesome and satisfying Mediterranean-inspired feast.

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Ingredients for Polenta Caprese Pizza

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

  • 725ml 1 percent milk

  • 2 teaspoons salt

  • 170g cornmeal

  • 2 large shallots, thinly sliced

  • 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

  • 1125ml cherry tomatoes,halved

  • 350g fresh mozzarella, cubed

  • 10 basil leaves, coarsely torn

Lightly coat a large rimmed baking sheet with 1 tablespoon oil. In a large pot, bring milk, 725ml water and salt to boil over high heat. Whisk in cornmeal in a gentle stream and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring often, until polenta is thick and no longer gritty, about 20 minutes. Working quickly, pour polenta into prepared pan, spreading evenly to the edges. Let stand 10 minutes; cover with plastic wrap and press polenta along sides of pan to form edges of crust. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.

Heat oven to 450°. Bake chilled crust until it begins to brown at edges, 45 minutes to an hour. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan. Sauté shallots and garlic over medium-high heat until soft, 3 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, 5 minutes. Mash with the back of a spoon and cook until thickened, 3 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon sauce onto the crust, top with cheese and bake until cheese is bubbling, 10 to 15 minutes. Top with basil and cut into squares.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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