Blt Recipe

Preheat and prepare dough

Place a pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven and preheat to 475°F (245°C) for at least 30 minutes. If using a baking sheet, lightly oil it.

Make garlic-parmesan butter

Finely mince the garlic. In a small microwave-safe bowl or in a small saucepan over low heat, melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter. Stir in the minced garlic, 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper until combined. Remove from heat and set aside to let the garlic infuse the butter.

Stretch and top dough

On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll the pizza dough to a 12-inch round. Transfer to a piece of parchment (if using a stone) or to the prepared baking sheet. Using a pastry brush or the back of a spoon, brush the garlic-parmesan butter around the outer 1-inch crust edge to create a garlic butter parmesan crust. Reserve any remaining butter for brushing after baking.

Cook bacon

Preheat a skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon slices and cook until crisp, turning occasionally, about 8–10 minutes. Transfer cooked bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain, then chop into 1/2-inch pieces when cool enough to handle.

Prepare tomato and lettuce

While bacon cooks, slice the tomato into 1/4-inch rounds. Toss the tomato slices gently with 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1/2 tsp lemon juice, 1/8 tsp salt and a pinch (1/16–1/8 tsp) of freshly ground black pepper to season. Wash and dry the lettuce and tear into bite-sized pieces; set aside in a bowl so they stay crisp.

Assemble pre-bake toppings

Spread the center of the stretched dough (inside the buttered crust) with 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, leaving the garlic-parmesan crust untouched. Spread evenly but leave a small margin so mayo doesn't run. Scatter half of the chopped bacon over the mayo to anchor other toppings.

Bake pizza

Slide the pizza (on parchment or on the baking sheet) onto the preheated pizza stone or into the oven. Bake at 475°F (245°C) for 10–12 minutes, until crust is golden and edges are puffed and crisp.

Finish with fresh toppings

Remove pizza from oven. Immediately brush the reserved garlic-parmesan butter over any crust areas that did not get buttered, and sprinkle 1 tablespoon extra grated Parmesan across the entire pie. Arrange the remaining chopped bacon evenly over the hot pizza. Top with tomato slices and scatter the torn lettuce over the pizza. The residual heat will slightly wilt the lettuce but keep some crunch.

Final seasoning and serve

If desired, drizzle a tiny extra 1/2 tsp olive oil over the finished pizza and sprinkle the optional chopped parsley or chives. Slice into 6–8 pieces and serve hot so the mayo, bacon, tomato and crisp crust are enjoyed together.