If you’re looking for a pizza that’s rich, savory, and a little indulgent, Pizza Capricciosa is a perfect choice. Beloved throughout Italy, this traditional pizza combines a variety of bold ingredients on a thin, crisp crust—making every bite feel like a small celebration.
What Is Pizza Capricciosa?
The word “capricciosa” means “capricious” in Italian, and that’s exactly what this pizza is: playful and full of surprises. While variations exist across regions, the classic version typically includes tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, cooked ham, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, and black olives. Some versions also include hard-boiled eggs or anchovies for an extra kick of flavor.
The Base:
Pizza Capricciosa uses a traditional Italian thin crust, often made with ’00’ flour and left to rise slowly to develop a light, airy texture. It’s baked at a high temperature for a slightly charred, crispy edge and a soft, chewy center.
The Toppings:
What makes Capricciosa stand out is its unique mix of ingredients:
- Tomato sauce – smooth and slightly sweet, providing a flavorful base
- Mozzarella – melted to perfection, tying everything together
- Cooked ham – sliced or cubed, adding a salty, savory note
- Mushrooms – earthy and juicy, often thinly sliced
- Artichoke hearts – tangy and tender, balancing the richness
- Black olives – for a briny, Mediterranean touch
Each ingredient is carefully placed, often in sections rather than mixed, creating a visually appealing and balanced pizza.
How It’s Different:
Unlike the predictable combinations of Margherita or Pepperoni, Pizza Capricciosa is a bit unpredictable—hence the name. It’s ideal for those who like a variety of textures and flavors on their pizza. You can make a low-carb version of keto pizza dough.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve with a glass of red wine like Chianti or a crisp Italian lager. A side salad with arugula and balsamic dressing pairs perfectly to round out the meal.

Ingredients
- 1 pizza dough enough for a 12-inch pizza
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1/4 cup Italian ham thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup artichokes quartered
- 1/4 cup mushrooms sliced
- 1/4 cup black olives sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C).
- Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
- Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the tomato sauce.
- Arrange the Italian ham, artichokes, mushrooms, and black olives evenly on top of the cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Remove from oven, let cool slightly, then slice and serve.
This pizza was super tasty, my family loved it! The ham and artichokes are a great combo. Will make again for sure!
Not bad, but I think I prefer pepperoni over this. The olives kinda ruined it for me. 😕
I totally get that! Olives can be pretty hit or miss. Pepperoni is the classic choice for a reason! 🍕
👎 not great
I made this pizza last night and it turned out amazing! The crust was perfect and all the toppings worked well together. 5 stars!
I dunno, artichokes on pizza? Seems a bit weird. But if you liked it, cool.
That sounds delicious! I’m definitely going to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Made this after a long day at work, and it was the perfect comfort food. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
This pizza is so good! I’ve never made my own dough before, but this was super easy. Definitely a keeper!
Yum! Love the combination of flavors. I used fresh mushrooms instead of canned, made a big difference! Definitely making again! 😋
Yum! My family loved it! I added some extra cheese because why not? More cheese = more happiness!
So easy and tasty! Will make it for my pizza night with friends. Can’t wait to impress them!
I followed the recipe but it didn’t taste that great. Maybe my oven’s not hot enough? Idk, but I won’t be making it again.
I don’t like artichokes. Could I substitute them for peppers? Let me know! But overall, looks good.
Can I use a pre-made crust instead? I’m not doing all that rolling out a dough stuff. Too lazy lol.
Um, not sure if I did it right? My pizza got burnt. Guess I need to watch the oven closer next time.
Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us! Just keep an eye on it next time. Honestly, I usually set a timer to remind me.
The cheese was sooooo good! I love mozzarella. Definitely a keeper.
Honestly, who puts artichokes on pizza? Yuck! Never making this.
Ok recipe, but isn’t it just better to throw some frozen pizza in the oven?
Nah, frozen pizza ain’t the same! Home-made tastes better, trust me! 😋
I get what you mean, but making it from scratch is kinda fun! Plus, you know exactly what’s in it. 🎉
Pfft, pizza is pizza. You can just order one for less hassle.
Honestly, who puts artichokes on pizza? That just sounds gross. I’m sticking to pepperoni
I was skeptical at first because of the combo, but it was surprisingly good! Who knew ham and artichokes worked together?
That’s awesome! I totally agree, the flavors are great together. I’m glad you gave it a chance!
I dunno, ham and artichokes? Sounds weird. Is this really a thing? I think I’d just stick to pepperoni.
So good! My family loved it. I added extra cheese though, cause we love cheese! 10/10 would recommend.
Extra cheese? That’s the best way to go! 🍕 Glad your family enjoyed it!
Amazing pizza! My family loved it. Will make again for sure!
So simple and good. My kids helped make it and gobbled it up!
Great recipe! I added some pepperoni and it was even better!
It was okay, but honestly, where’s the pineapple? Pineapple on pizza is the best! This didn’t really do it for me.
This pizza is a lifesaver! I used leftover veggies from my fridge. Delicious!
Not bad, but I think the recipe could use more spice.
I agree! A bit more spice would make it pop! Maybe add some red pepper flakes next time.
Pizza dough is too hard to make. Can I buy it premade? I’m not a chef, just want to eat! 😂
The taste was alright, but I think the artichokes are too weird for pizza? Not my thing.
Eh, it turned out kinda soggy. I guess I rolled the dough too thin?