Seafood Pizza (Shrimp, Mussels, Clams & Scallops)
#lemon8challenge #lemon8badgehunt
Ingredients
For the dough (or use store-bought):
* 1 pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
Sauce:
* ½ cup pizza sauce or garlic olive oil base (recommended for seafood)
* 2 tbsp olive oil
* 3 cloves garlic (minced)
Cheese:
* 1–1½ cups shredded mozzarella
* Optional: parmesan cheese (for extra flavor)
Seafood toppings:
* ½ cup shrimp (peeled & deveined)
* ½ cup mussels (cleaned, shells removed if preferred)
* ½ cup clams (cleaned, shells removed if preferred)
* ½ cup scallops (small or sliced if large)
Veggies & extras:
* ½ cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
* ¼ cup banana peppers (sliced)
* Fresh basil leaves
* Salt & black pepper
* Red pepper flakes (optional)
* Lemon juice (optional for finishing)
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👩🏽🍳 Instructions
1. Prep the seafood
* Lightly season shrimp, scallops, mussels, and clams with salt, pepper, and a little garlic.
* Quickly sauté them in olive oil for 2–3 minutes max (don’t fully cook—just start them so they don’t release too much water on the pizza).
2. Preheat oven
* Set oven to 475°F (245°C).
* If you have a pizza stone or tray, preheat it too.
3. Prepare the base
* Roll out your dough on a floured surface.
* Place it on a baking tray or pizza peel.
* Brush with olive oil and spread the garlic.
4. Add sauce & cheese
* Add a light layer of pizza sauce or keep it garlic-oil based (seafood tastes better this way).
* Sprinkle mozzarella evenly.
5. Add toppings
* Spread shrimp, mussels, clams, and scallops across the pizza.
* Add cherry tomatoes and banana peppers.
6. Bake
* Bake for 10–15 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is melted.
7. Finish
* Add fresh basil on top after baking.
* Drizzle a little lemon juice for brightness (optional but really good).
* Sprinkle parmesan or chili flakes if you like heat.
If you're craving a unique twist on traditional pizza, seafood pizza is a fantastic option that's both delicious and impressive to serve. One tip I've learned from experience is to lightly sauté the seafood before placing it on the pizza. This step prevents the seafood from releasing excess water during baking, which can make your crust soggy. Using a garlic olive oil base instead of a typical tomato sauce really complements the delicate flavors of shrimp, mussels, clams, and scallops, enhancing rather than overpowering the seafood. When making this pizza, fresh basil leaves added after baking give a wonderful burst of herbal freshness that balances the richness of cheese and seafood. I also recommend adding a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving—it brightens the flavors and adds a subtle tang that cuts through the richness beautifully. For veggies, halved cherry tomatoes add juicy sweetness, and sliced banana peppers bring a hint of spice without overwhelming the palette. Feel free to adjust the amount of cheese to your liking, but mozzarella is ideal for its melting quality and mild flavor. Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top after baking provides an extra punch of umami that seafood lovers will appreciate. One practical kitchen hack I use is to bake the pizza on a preheated pizza stone or baking tray. This ensures a crispy, golden crust that can stand up to the moist toppings. Bake at 475°F (245°C) for about 10–15 minutes, watching carefully to achieve that perfect balance of melted cheese and bubbly crust. This recipe is great for those wanting to impress guests with a gourmet homemade pizza or for seafood enthusiasts looking to enjoy their favorite flavors in a new way. Experimenting with different seafood combinations or adding a sprinkle of red pepper flakes can customize the heat level to your preference. Enjoy the process and delight in the delicious outcome!