Name: Simple Fig Pizza: Goat Cheese & Beef Prosciutto Delight
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 1 pizza (4-6 servings)
Ingredients: 1 lb (450g) store-bought pizza dough, at room temperature; 1-2 tbsp all-purpose flour or cornmeal; 1-2 tbsp olive oil (for dough/pan prep); 8-10 fresh ripe figs; 4 oz (115g) fresh goat cheese, crumbled; 3-4 oz (85-115g) thinly sliced beef prosciutto; 2-3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling); 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped; 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves; Pinch red pepper flakes (optional); Sea salt, to taste; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 2-3 tbsp balsamic glaze (optional); Small handful fresh arugula or microgreens (optional)

Simple Fig Pizza With Goat Cheese And Beef Prosciutto is more than just a meal; it’s an invitation to experience a symphony of flavors that will undoubtedly captivate your palate. Imagine the luscious sweetness of ripe, caramelized figs melting into the creamy, tangy embrace of goat cheese, all elegantly contrasted by the delicate, savory notes of thinly sliced beef prosciutto. This exquisite combination, baked to perfection on a crisp, golden crust, transforms a humble pizza into an extraordinary gourmet delight that feels both indulgent and surprisingly effortless to create.

While the history of pizza itself stretches back to ancient flatbreads, this particular pairing elevates its culinary narrative, drawing inspiration from Mediterranean traditions where fruits, cheeses, and cured meats have long been celebrated companions. What I truly adore about this dish is its remarkable balance; it feels sophisticated enough for an elegant gathering, yet its ‘simple’ preparation makes it perfectly accessible for a relaxed weeknight. The interplay of textures—the soft fig, the melting cheese, the slight chew of the prosciutto, and the satisfying crunch of the crust—makes every bite a truly memorable experience. This Simple Fig Pizza With Goat Cheese And Beef Prosciutto is a testament to how effortlessly ancient ingredients can unite to create a modern, captivating masterpiece.

Ingredients:

For the Pizza Dough:
- 1 pound (about 450g) store-bought pizza dough, ideally at room temperature for at least 30-60 minutes
- 1-2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or cornmeal, for dusting
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil, for brushing and pan prep

For the Toppings:
- 8-10 fresh ripe figs (preferably black mission or brown turkey figs), washed and stems removed
- 4 ounces (about 115g) fresh goat cheese (chèvre), crumbled
- 3-4 ounces (about 85-115g) thinly sliced beef prosciutto (bresaola or similar cured beef), very thinly sliced
- 2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped, plus extra sprigs for garnish (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, picked from stems
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for a hint of heat)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Sea salt, to taste
For Finishing (Optional but Recommended):
- 2-3 tablespoons balsamic glaze (store-bought or homemade)
- Small handful of fresh arugula or microgreens

Preparing the Dough and Oven

Preheat Your Oven and Pizza Stone/Steel: This is a crucial first step for achieving a perfectly crispy crust on your Simple Fig Pizza With Goat Cheese And Beef Prosciutto. Place your pizza stone or steel (or an inverted heavy-duty baking sheet) into your oven on the middle or lower-middle rack. Preheat the oven to its highest temperature, typically 475-500°F (245-260°C). Allow it to preheat for at least 30-60 minutes once it reaches the target temperature. This extended preheating ensures the stone or steel is incredibly hot, mimicking a professional pizza oven, which will give you that desirable crispy bottom crust.

Prepare Your Pizza Dough: If you’re using store-bought pizza dough, ensure it has come to room temperature. This makes it much easier to work with and stretch without tearing. Lightly dust your clean work surface with a small amount of flour or cornmeal – cornmeal is excellent as it helps prevent sticking and adds an extra layer of crispiness to the crust. Carefully remove the dough from its packaging.
Stretch the Dough: Gently begin to stretch the dough into your desired shape. For a round pizza, I like to start by forming a rough circle with my hands, pressing outwards from the center. You can use your fingertips to create an even thickness, leaving a slightly thicker edge for the crust. If the dough resists stretching and snaps back, cover it with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for another 10-15 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax, making it more pliable. Continue stretching until you reach a size of approximately 12-14 inches in diameter, or whatever size fits your pizza stone or baking sheet. Remember, a little imperfection in shape adds to the rustic charm of your homemade pizza!
Transfer to a Prepared Peel: Lightly dust your pizza peel (or the back of a baking sheet if you don’t have a peel) generously with flour or cornmeal. Carefully transfer the stretched pizza dough onto the prepared peel. This step is vital to prevent the dough from sticking when you attempt to slide it into the hot oven. Give it a gentle shake to ensure it moves freely before you start adding toppings. If it sticks, gently lift an edge and add more flour or cornmeal underneath.

Preparing the Toppings

Prepare the Fresh Figs: Wash the fresh figs under cool running water. Gently pat them dry with a clean paper towel. Using a sharp paring knife, carefully remove the small, woody stem end from each fig. Now, slice each fig into thin rounds, about ¼ inch thick. You should get approximately 4-6 slices per fig, depending on its size. Arrange these slices on a plate for easy access. The natural sweetness of the figs is a cornerstone of this Simple Fig Pizza With Goat Cheese And Beef Prosciutto, so uniform slices will ensure even distribution and cooking.
Crumble the Goat Cheese: Take your fresh goat cheese (chèvre) and gently crumble it into small, bite-sized pieces. You can do this with your fingers or a fork. The tangy creaminess of the goat cheese will melt beautifully, creating pockets of rich flavor that perfectly complement the sweet figs and savory beef prosciutto. Set aside.

Prepare the Beef Prosciutto: If your beef prosciutto (or bresaola) is already thinly sliced, you’re good to go. If it’s a thicker cut, you’ll want to slice it as thinly as possible. I usually separate the slices gently to prevent them from sticking together, as we’ll be adding them after the pizza bakes to preserve their delicate texture and flavor.
Chop the Herbs: Finely chop the fresh rosemary and pick the fresh thyme leaves from their stems. Fresh herbs are essential for adding an aromatic, earthy depth that brightens the entire flavor profile of the pizza.

Assembling the Simple Fig Pizza

Brush with Olive Oil: Once your pizza dough is on the prepared peel, brush the entire surface, including the crust, lightly with extra virgin olive oil. This not only adds flavor but also helps to create a slightly crisp base and prevents the crust from drying out during baking.
Season the Base: Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper evenly over the olive oil-brushed dough. If you enjoy a little kick, now is the time to add a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes.
Arrange the Figs: Begin to artfully arrange the sliced fresh figs over the olive oil base. I like to spread them out relatively evenly, leaving a small border (about ½ to 1 inch) around the edge for the crust. Overlapping them slightly is fine, but avoid piling them too high, as this can make the pizza soggy. The visual appeal of the figs is part of what makes this Simple Fig Pizza With Goat Cheese And Beef Prosciutto so inviting.

Distribute the Goat Cheese: Next, scatter the crumbled goat cheese over and between the fig slices. Try to distribute it as evenly as possible so that every bite gets a taste of that creamy, tangy goodness.
Add Herbs: Sprinkle the chopped fresh rosemary and thyme leaves over the figs and goat cheese. These herbs will infuse the pizza with their fragrant oils as it bakes, providing an incredible aroma and flavor.
Final Drizzle: Drizzle another light touch of extra virgin olive oil over the assembled pizza toppings. This extra oil contributes to browning and adds another layer of richness.

Prepare for Transfer: Give your pizza peel another gentle shake to ensure the pizza isn’t sticking. If it is, lift the edges slightly and dust a little more flour or cornmeal underneath. This final check is critical before attempting to slide it into the blazing hot oven.

Baking the Pizza

Transfer to the Oven: Carefully slide the pizza from the peel onto the preheated pizza stone or steel in the oven. This requires a swift, confident motion. If you’re new to this, a little practice with an empty peel and a piece of parchment paper can help. Close the oven door quickly to maintain the high temperature.

Bake: Bake the pizza for 8-15 minutes. The exact baking time will depend on your oven’s power, the thickness of your crust, and how crispy you like it. I always look for visual cues: the crust should be golden brown and puffed, the goat cheese should be melted and slightly bubbly, and the figs should appear softened and slightly caramelized around the edges.
Rotate (Optional): Halfway through baking, if you notice one side of the pizza is browning faster than the other, you can carefully rotate it 180 degrees using the peel or tongs. This helps ensure even cooking.
Check for Doneness: To check if the bottom crust is adequately cooked and crispy, carefully lift an edge of the pizza with the peel. It should be golden brown and firm, not pale or doughy.

Remove from Oven: Once the pizza is perfectly baked, carefully slide the peel under it and transfer it out of the oven onto a wire rack or cutting board. This allows air to circulate around the bottom, preventing it from becoming soggy.

Finishing and Serving the Simple Fig Pizza With Goat Cheese And Beef Prosciutto

Add Beef Prosciutto: Immediately after removing the pizza from the oven, arrange the thin slices of beef prosciutto artfully over the hot pizza. The residual heat from the pizza will gently warm the prosciutto, releasing its aromatic flavors without actually cooking it, which would make it tough. This preserves its delicate texture and intense, salty-savory taste. The visual contrast of the deep red prosciutto against the melted goat cheese and figs is also quite appealing for our Simple Fig Pizza With Goat Cheese And Beef Prosciutto.

Drizzle with Balsamic Glaze: If using, generously drizzle the balsamic glaze over the entire pizza. The sweet and tangy reduction of balsamic vinegar adds a sophisticated depth of flavor that harmonizes beautifully with the sweetness of the figs and the richness of the cheese and prosciutto. This step is not just for taste; it also adds a beautiful glossy finish to your pizza.
Garnish with Fresh Greens (Optional): For an extra layer of freshness, sprinkle a handful of fresh arugula or microgreens over the finished pizza. The peppery bite of arugula provides a wonderful counterpoint to the rich and sweet flavors, and it adds a vibrant pop of green, making the pizza even more appealing to the eye.
Slice and Serve: Allow the pizza to cool for a minute or two on the cutting board. This short resting period allows the cheese to set slightly, making for cleaner slices. Using a sharp pizza wheel or a large chef’s knife, slice your Simple Fig Pizza With Goat Cheese And Beef Prosciutto into wedges or squares.

Enjoy Immediately: This pizza is best enjoyed warm, straight out of the oven, when the crust is at its crispiest, the cheese is perfectly melted, and the flavors are at their peak. Encourage your guests or family to dig in right away and savor the incredible combination of sweet figs, tangy goat cheese, salty beef prosciutto, and aromatic herbs. It’s a truly gourmet experience that feels surprisingly simple to create!

Conclusion:

So, there you have it! We’ve journeyed through the simple steps to create a truly unforgettable dish, and I truly hope you’re as excited as I am about its potential to impress. What makes this recipe an absolute must-try, in my humble opinion, is its masterful blend of seemingly disparate flavors that come together in a symphony of taste and texture. Imagine the juicy, natural sweetness of ripe figs, perfectly caramelized by the heat, meeting the creamy, tangy punch of goat cheese. Then, introduce the rich, savory depth of thinly sliced beef prosciutto, adding a sophisticated, salty counterpoint. It’s a combination that feels gourmet, yet is incredibly straightforward to execute, proving that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to achieve restaurant-quality results. This isn’t just another pizza; it’s an experience, a delightful surprise for your palate that manages to be both comforting and elegantly adventurous.

Why This Recipe Stands Out

I genuinely believe that the Simple Fig Pizza With Goat Cheese And Beef Prosciutto holds a special place in the culinary world because it effortlessly bridges the gap between everyday casual dining and refined elegance. It’s perfect for a cozy night in, yet sophisticated enough to be the star appetizer at a dinner party. The vibrant colors alone are a feast for the eyes, from the deep purples of the figs to the delicate pinks of the beef prosciutto and the pristine white of the goat cheese, all resting on a golden, crispy crust. Every bite offers a delightful contrast – the yielding tenderness of the fig against the melt-in-your-mouth cheese, the subtle chew of the beef prosciutto against the crisp base. It’s light enough not to leave you feeling overly full, but packed with enough flavor to satisfy even the most discerning gourmand. This recipe truly champions the idea that simplicity can lead to extraordinary deliciousness, inviting you to discover a fresh perspective on what a pizza can be.

Unleashing Your Creativity: Serving & Variation Ideas

Now that you’re armed with the core recipe, let’s talk about how you can make it truly your own or serve it in ways that enhance the experience. For a complete and utterly delightful meal, I love serving this pizza alongside a simple, peppery arugula salad dressed with a light lemon vinaigrette. The peppery bite of the arugula and the zesty dressing cut beautifully through the richness of the pizza, creating a perfectly balanced plate. Another fantastic pairing is a crisp, chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc or a light-bodied Pinot Noir – their notes complement the figs and cheese wonderfully. As for variations, the possibilities are endless and truly where your culinary imagination can soar! If beef prosciutto isn’t readily available or you prefer an alternative, crispy pancetta or even thinly sliced speck would be phenomenal additions, offering a different but equally delicious savory element. For an extra layer of herbal freshness, a sprinkle of fresh rosemary or thyme leaves over the pizza after it comes out of the oven can elevate the aroma and taste. Want to lean into the sweetness? A delicate drizzle of balsamic glaze or a touch of hot honey over individual slices right before serving can add an incredible depth of flavor and a beautiful sheen. For those who might prefer a vegetarian option, omitting the beef prosciutto and adding some caramelized onions or roasted red bell peppers can transform this into an equally satisfying and flavorful meat-free delight. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of cheese either – a little crumbled feta could add a saltier tang, or a mild blue cheese could introduce an intriguing pungent note. The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability; it’s a fantastic canvas for your personal taste and preferences.

Your Turn to Shine!

I’ve shared my passion for this incredible dish, and now it’s your turn to experience the magic firsthand. I wholeheartedly encourage you to carve out some time this week, gather your ingredients, and give this recipe a whirl. Trust me, the joy of pulling a beautifully golden, aromatic pizza from your oven, knowing you created something so special, is incredibly rewarding. Don’t be shy about making it your own – whether you stick to the recipe exactly or put your unique spin on it. Once you’ve tasted the delightful combination of flavors, I would absolutely love to hear about your experience! Please consider sharing your thoughts in the comments below, or even better, snap a photo of your masterpiece and share it on social media, tagging me if you can. Your insights, your serving suggestions, and your creative variations are what make our community so vibrant and inspiring. Let’s celebrate the simple pleasures of great food together. Happy baking, my friends!