Salami Pizza with Garlic Dijon Aioli

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Salami Pizza with garlic Dijon aioli topped with a tangy balsamic drizzle is the re-creation of my favorite menu item at Hard Knox Pizza, Le Boxeur. It’s the perfect homemade pizza recipe when craving a unique gourmet slice of delicious ingredients, like smoked mozzarella, genoa salami slices, and grated parmesan cheese.

If you’ve never made pizza at home, today is the perfect day to start! In fact, National Pizza Day wasn’t so long ago, on February 9th this year! Some are intimidated by the challenge. But homemade pizza is easier to make than you think!

I used my favorite pizza dough recipe to enjoy the authentic taste of a from-scratch pizza pie. However, store-bought dough also works when you are limited in time or energy.

Ingredient Notes

• Pizza dough | If you’re not homemaking the pizza dough, you can use refrigerated fresh pizza dough from your local deli. I would avoid using frozen dough, if possible.
• Genoa salami | Top your pizza with salami slices. Although this is one of the critical ingredients for this recipe, you can swap it for another meat, like ham, pepperoni, or bacon, if preferred. 
• Mozzarella | Shredded smoked mozzarella cheese really makes a difference. So, don’t be tempted to substitute! If you must, use regular mozzarella.
• Parmesan | Freshly grated parmesan cheese adds a robust flavor to this gourmet pizza recipe.

• Garlic | Minced garlic cloves work with olive oil to create the pizza base instead of a typical white or red sauce. If in a pinch, use garlic powder instead.
• Olive oil | Because of the strong cheese and salami flavors, all this recipe needs is a little olive oil and garlic to coat the crust and make a base for the toppings. High-quality olive oil completes the flavors of the pizza.
• Balsamic vinegar | The last ingredient you add will be a light drizzle of balsamic vinegar—YUM!
• Garlic Dijon Aioli | What really gives this simple pizza its irresistible taste is the homemade garlic Dijon aioli drizzled over the cheeses and salami. 

Garlic Dijon Aioli

• Mayonnaise | Mayonnaise is the blank canvas that carries the other more flavorful ingredients for your aioli.
• Whole grain Dijon mustard | I make my aioli with whole grain Dijon mustard from Trader Joe’s. It makes a world of difference!
• Lemon juice | Add freshly squeezed lemon juice to bring citrus notes to the sauce.
• Garlic | You’ll need a freshly minced garlic clove to add subtle spice and a nutty taste.

Equipment needed

• Pizza Stone
• Pizza Peel
• Pizza Oven Box for Gas Grill — If you want a real pizza oven experience, this Baker Stone Grill Top Pizza Oven Box is the next best thing.

How to Make Homemade Salami Pizza Recipe

Start by preparing the garlic and Dijon aioli recipe, then stretch the dough and add the toppings. Your gourmet pizza will be ready to serve in no time!

Garlic Dijon Aioli

STEP 1 | Mix the aioli ingredients and store

Toss all the aioli ingredients into a mixing bowl and stir them until the texture is nice and smooth. Store the finished garlic aioli in the refrigerator until ready to use it.

To make drizzling this delicious sauce onto the pizza easier, transfer it to a squeeze bottle.

Pizza

STEP 1 | Preheat the oven

Now, on to the pizza! First, slip a pizza stone into the cold oven. Then, preheat the oven to 500 degrees, stone included.

If you’re making your own pizza dough, it’s a good idea to make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Otherwise, begin with making the dough before preheating the oven and continuing with the recipe instructions.

STEP 2 | Shape the pizza dough

Next, put a large sheet of parchment paper on the kitchen counter and drop the pizza dough on top. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough or stretch it with your hands to bring it to the desired size. 

Then, sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of flour onto a pizza peel and lightly spread it around the surface. Finally, transfer the pizza dough to the pizza peel and prepare the delicious toppings!

STEP 3 | Add the garlic, oil, salami, and cheese

Rather than topping the salami pizza with a white or red sauce, make a simple mixture of olive oil and garlic. So, combine a tablespoon of quality olive oil and one freshly minced garlic clove.

Next, spread it over top of prepared pizza dough and top it with the cheese and salami.

Evenly spread the smoked mozzarella cheese and add a layer of salami slices. And last but not least, sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese as the final ingredient before baking.

STEP 4 | Bake the salami pizza

Use the pizza peel to carefully move the pizza into the preheated oven. Bake for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until the pizza is bubbly and the cheese and crust are slightly golden.

Everyone likes their pizza at different levels of doneness, so remove it from the oven when it reaches your liking.

STEP 5 | Drizzle with sauces and enjoy!

When ready, carefully take the pizza out of the oven and quickly drizzle with the tasty garlic Dijon aioli and tangy balsamic vinegar. Then, it’s time to slice and serve it up!

Variations and Substitutions

• If you love your pizza loaded with all your favorite toppings, feel free to add as many as you’d like!
• Try including more ingredients, like banana peppers, red onion, caramelized onions, ham cubes, sauteed mushrooms, crispy bacon pieces, or tomato slices. If desired, sprinkle on roasted garlic as a final, personal touch.

Storage and Reheating Tips

• Store leftover pizza slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
• To reheat, place in the oven at 375 degrees and cook until warmed through. Drizzle with more aioli and balsamic vinegar just before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to Serve with Salami Pizza

What’s the first side you think of when serving pizza? For me, it’s a crisp and refreshing salad. Serve this delicious Homemade salami pizza with my copycat Bravo’s chopped salad, this fresh cucumber and tomato salad, or a classic wedge salad with my homemade blue cheese dressing.

Beyond the recipe: Hard Knox Salami Pizza

The current owner of the renowned Hard Knox Pizzeria in Knoxville, Tennessee, is a hard-working mother who has a big heart for her community, Alexa Sponcia.

She bought the restaurant from the original owners in 2014 and has only improved the much-loved pizzeria, like opening its third location!

The restaurant is themed around some of the most famous pro boxers in history, which has been its concept since day one. Some of the most popular pizzas are the Rocky Balboa topped with sausage, peppers, red onion, and provolone cheese and the Bonecrusher with fresh mozzarella, pepperonis, sausage, and fresh rosemary, both clearly presenting the boxing theme.

This successful restaurant is very involved in the community, specifically involving efforts to better under-resourced schools and Knoxville’s youth. Being a famous pizza parlor is clearly not all this company wants to accomplish. Their goals and dreams reach much farther than simply making delicious pizzas.