Having been in Spain for a while, I feel like I’ve almost blended in with the local ham and olive oil culture. Recently, I craved pizza and found half a pack of Serrano ham I bought earlier at Mercadona in the fridge. A “guilty” idea popped up: can I use it to make a pizza? The result was simply amazing! Today, I want to share my easy Spanish ham pizza method for beginners who want delicious results with minimal effort.
Essential Question: Which Ham to Use?
When it comes to Spanish ham, most people know there are mainly two types: Serrano and Iberian. Which one should you choose for pizza? Actually, both work, with different flavors and price points. Here is a simple comparison for your reference:
| Ham Type | Characteristics | Pizza Use Suggestions |
|---|
| Serrano Ham | Affordable, moderately salty, lean with a chewy texture | Perfect for everyday cooking; its savory saltiness complements the cheese and crust’s wheat aroma well |
| Iberian Ham | More expensive, rich fat content, unique nutty aroma | A top-tier treat! Recommended to use Cebo grade. After baking, the fat melts and releases an irresistible fragrance |
For this Spanish Ham Pizza Recipe, I used the most common Serrano, which offers excellent value and still delivers stunning taste. Of course, if you have Iberian ham at home, the flavor will soar to another level!
Steps and Exclusive Tips
The process is quite simple. Assuming you’re as “lazy” as I am, I used a ready-made pizza base. If you are a pro at homemade Spanish ham pizza calories, making dough yourself is even better!
- Preheat the Oven: This is crucial! Make sure to preheat the oven to the highest temperature, usually around 220-230°C for home ovens, to get a crispy crust.
- Prepare the Base: Spread an even layer of tomato sauce on the base and sprinkle plenty of mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Place the base with sauce and cheese in the preheated oven and bake for about 10-15 minutes, until the cheese melts and turns a lovely golden color.
- Most, most, most important step!: After the pizza is baked and taken out, tear the Spanish ham into small pieces and place it on top! Never bake the ham
together with the base because high heat damages the ham’s delicate flavor and texture, making it dry and tough—which is a waste! The pizza’s heat is enough to gently melt the ham fat and release its aroma. This is the proper way to enjoy it.
You can sprinkle some arugula on the pizza and drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil if you like. The slight bitterness of arugula and the fresh scent of olive oil perfectly balance the salty ham and creamy cheese, instantly enriching the flavor layers. One bite and you’ll get a crispy crust, gooey cheese pull, and an explosion of savory ham flavor—truly satisfying!
This combination is definitely a perfect fusion of Eastern and Western culinary cultures. If you have some Spanish Black Pig Ham Pizza handy, you must give it a try! Also, feel free to share your own secret recipes—what magical ingredients you’ve added? Looking forward to seeing your creations in the comments!
