Mini Caprese Polenta Pizzas
Caprese polenta pizzas are hand held mini pizzas with fresh tomatoes, basil, and lots of mozzarella cheese baked onto polenta rounds. They’re great gluten free appetizers for game day!
#SundaySupper and Gallo Family Vineyards are helping you get ready for football season with food and wine for Tailgating on Your Home Turf. You can’t go wrong with either food-lovers and football-lovers when you transform a favorite appetizer salad into much-loved game day munchies and make Mini Caprese Polenta Pizzas.
Mini Caprese Polenta Pizzas
Disclosures: Compensation was provided by Gallo Family Vineyards via Sunday Supper, LLC. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author, and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Gallo Family Vineyards. There are affiliate links in this post, meaning that if you click and make a purchase, the cost to you is the same, but I will receive a few pennies. I use the money to help maintain this website and to bring you new recipes!
All the members of the team are there and they’ve all got their jerseys on. You’re looking at the lineup, and the game plan for the day is being discussed. Everyone is getting pumped up as the game is about to start. That can only mean one thing. It’s time to… EAT!!
Oh come on, you know tailgating isn’t all about the football. The Hubby and I have loved going to football games at my alma mater, which is just one town over from where we live. But I have to be honest, it’s too much of a gamble – it could be too hot or too cold or too windy or, worst case scenario, a total downpour.
I’m actually much happier when The Hubby wants to invite over some friends to watch the games. Sure, we still don our team colors, but our flat screen TV provides a much better view than our second tier seats, our house definitely has better climate control than an outdoor stadium, and compared to dried out pretzels and “nachos” which are really just mediocre chips and a little tub of day-glow cheese, I definitely make much better food…
Mini Caprese Polenta Pizzas will please everyone at your football party.
Your friends who are just there for the company and, more importantly, the food will adore the classic Caprese salad in pizza form. They will sink their teeth into the soft but slightly crisp “crust” and stretch out the gooey mozzarella, getting the pop of the juicy tomatoes as they burst in their mouth. A little sprinkle of basil for freshness and a drizzle of syrupy balsamic vinegar ties it all together. Here’s game day grub even the finest foodie will appreciate.
Two quick notes about the caprese polenta pizzas recipe:
The first is that you really need to cook the polenta until it is very thick. When you think it is done, keep cooking it. Second, I photographed these the first time I made them, but the second time I added a little schmear of pesto, which was super yummy, so your choice. You could make them either way.
And for the rest of your guests who are focused on the game, well, it’s pizza. Not gonna disappoint anyone there.
I think Merlot and pizza is a pretty classic pairing, which is why I opened up a mini bottle of Gallo Family Vineyards Merlot to enjoy with my Mini Caprese Polenta Pizzas. But really, is there a wrong wine to drink with pizza – even fancy-shmancy pizza? I think not. Just like everyone has their favorite team, everyone also has their favorite wine. So it is perfect that Gallo offers nine varietals in 187 mL bottles. You can put out an assortment for each of your tailgating guests to select their favorite.
Gallo knows all about the importance of family and the meals that bring us together, and sometimes that family is our football-watching friends and the meal is munching on all of our favorite game day snacks. Learn more about the wines of Gallo Family Vineyards, connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube, and check out the store locator to try some of their wines yourself.
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy! You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
Need some new recipes for your football and food-loving family and friends? Check out all of the fabulous ideas at the bottom of this post, and find out which of the Gallo Family wines to pair with your game day grub! And here’s a dollar off for you!
So, are you there for the football or the food?
A couple of things to help you make the caprese polenta pizzas recipe:
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Mini Caprese Polenta Pizzas
Ingredients
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 3 cups chicken or vegetable stock or broth or water with a good pinch of salt
- pesto optional
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella sliced
- 20-24 cherry or grape tomatoes halved
- 6-8 basil leaves cut into chiffonade or thin ribbons
- optional aged or reduced balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Whisk the cornmeal into the stock or water in a medium saucepan, cover and bring to boil
- Remove the lid, reduce heat to medium low and stir frequently (almost constantly at first while it is bubbling a lot) for 30-45 minutes until it is very thick, almost a paste.
- While it is cooking, line baking sheets with parchment or coat well with oil.
- Make balls with 2-3 Tablespoons of cooked polenta, place on the prepared baking sheet, and flatten into circles about 1/4 inch thick. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F.
- Bake polenta crusts for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, carefully flip, and bake for another 5 minutes.
- If desired, top each crust with a thin smear of pesto.
- Divide the mozzarella slices between the crusts and top with 3 or 4 tomato halves.
- Bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and crust reached desired crispness.
- Sprinkle with basil and drizzle with balsamic, if desired.
Enjoy!
If you love the caprese polenta pizzas recipe, but want some more tailgating recipes, I’ve got a few for you…
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And here is the rest of the #SundaySupper Tailigating on Your Home Turf Menu…
- Bacon, Onion and Cheddar Sliders by The Redhead Baker
- Basil and Sundried Tomato Hummus by Ruffles & Truffles
- Braided Stromboli by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Braised Brats with Apples and Onions by Flavor Mosaic
- Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Bites by Alida’s Kitchen
- Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Cakes by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Chicken and Chorizo Nachos by Family Foodie
- Chicken Cordon Bleu Sliders by Life Tastes Good
- Greek Style Grilled Wings with Yogurt Dill Sauce by Supper for a Steal
- Meatball Subs with Garlic-White Wine Sauce by Foxes Love Lemons
- Mini Caprese Polenta Pizzas by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Mini Chorizo and Cheese Quiches by Magnolia Days
- Pizza Rolls by Momma’s Meals
- Ricotta Toasts with Tomatoes by The Messy Baker
- Slow Cooker Beef Chili by Jelly Toast
- Spicy Grilled Clams in Foil by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Strawberry Mint Red Moscato Sangria by Feed Me, Seymour
- Sun-dried Tomato and Feta Dip with Za’atar Chips by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Ultimate Stadium Nachos by Melanie Makes
- Veggie Pizza with Cauliflower Crust by Take A Bite Out of Boca
DON’T MISS OUT! MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW ME FOR YUMMY RECIPES!
Faith (An Edible Mosaic) says
These are super cute and they look so flavorful too! Love that balsamic drizzle!
Lori @ RecipeGirl says
Love this creative idea for a recipe! So delicious!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks Lori! THey were tasty little bites!
Diane {Created by Diane} says
what a super-delicious pizza, love the use of polenta!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks Diane!
Debi @ Adorned From Above says
How fun!!! These look delicious.
Debi
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks Debi!
cassie says
This is such a fun end-of-summer meal…comforting for fall, but with the flavors of summer. Love it!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Yes, I’m doing everything I can to use up the tomatoes that keep coming off of my plants. Almost to the point where I hope they stop soon 🙂
David @ CookingChat says
Nice idea to use polenta for the pizza. Looks good!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks, We really liked it!
Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily says
If I had a last meal it would be a good caprese salad! Put it on top of polenta and I’m in heaven, much better than bread IMHO 😉
Carrie Pacini says
Your Mini Caprese Polenta Pizzas look great!
alice says
I love how you paired this classic dish with polenta. This is awesome – going to save this to make it later!
Shawn @ I Wash You Dry says
I love that the crust for these pizzas is on polenta. That’s just brilliant, and making me want to get out and buy all these ingredients pronto!!
TidyMom says
what a delicious dinner idea!!
Katie says
Not going to lie – I’m there for the food; I couldn’t care less about the games! I am a sucker for anything and everything that is caprese-related…and in pizza form! Must have these!
DB-The Foodie Stuntman @ Crazy Foodie Stunts says
Very creative!
Shaina says
Yay for pizza! It really is the perfect football food. I’ve got to try this…never made polenta before, but here’s my reason to do it!
[email protected] Tastes Good says
Great idea to use Polenta for the crust! These sounds delicious, and I know they would score a
Touchdown with my crew!
Liz says
Oh, boy, I love Caprese everything, so these have got my attention! And such a delicious gluten free option for the tailgate buffet! YUM.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I know, the last of the summer tomatoes make me want Caprese everything!
marcela says
Great recipe!I really enjoyed this post–both the writing and the photos!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thank you so much!
Jennifer Drummond says
I love all things caprese and your polenta pizzas look amazing! What a great idea! I have to try this!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks Jennifer! Caprese and pizza are both crowd-pleasers!
Emily {Jelly Toast} says
You can’t go wrong with anything mini for tailgating! I love how you added the balsamic drizzle and used polenta for the crust – how awesome! These look wonderful, Brianne!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Smaller means you can eat more 🙂
Renee Dobbs says
I already printed the recipe and I know exactly when I’m making these. Yummy!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Haha, fun!!
Michele Feuerborn says
What a fantastic idea for tailgating, and they go perfectly with the wine. My husband will be there for the football. I will be there for the food and wine.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thanks Michele! He can watch football with my husband!
Baby June says
What an awesome idea!!! I’m a big fan of polenta for breakfast lunch and dinner, but polenta *pizzas*? Must try that.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
You know, I haven’t made breakfast polenta yet. Must do that!
Baby June says
Yup, you can do like sweet and savory for breakfast! So good. 🙂