Description
This Pesto Pizza recipe combines the fresh flavors of homemade basil pesto with gooey melted cheese on a crispy pizza crust. It’s a delicious and easy dish to make for a casual dinner or weekend treat.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Basil Pesto
- 1 cup (30g) fresh basil leaves
- 3 Tablespoons (24g) pine nuts
- 3 Tablespoons (12g) freshly grated or shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 small cloves garlic
- 3 Tablespoons (45ml) olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, or more to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Pizza
- 1/2 recipe homemade pizza dough (or 1 lb. store-bought pizza dough)
- 1 Tablespoon (15ml) olive oil, divided
- 1 Tablespoon (8g) cornmeal
- 1 and 1/2 cups (6 ounces or 180g) shredded mozzarella cheese*
- 1/2 cup (75g) halved cherry tomatoes or sliced tomatoes (optional)
- 1/4 cup (12g) chopped fresh basil
- optional for garnish: extra pesto, sprinkle of shredded parmesan cheese and/or red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Pesto: Pulse the basil, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and garlic together in a food processor or blender. Scrape down the sides and then add the oil, lemon juice, and salt. Pulse until everything is blended together and relatively smooth. Add a drizzle more olive oil to thin out, if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Dough: Prepare pizza dough and preheat oven. Shape the dough and place on a prepared pan.
- Top the pizza: Push dents into the dough, brush with olive oil, spread pesto, add cheese and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bake: Bake the pizza until golden brown. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh basil and additional toppings if desired.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Freezing Instructions: See homemade pizza dough recipe for how to freeze the pizza dough. Wrap tightly and freeze pizza for up to 3 months.
- Reheating Instructions: Reheat leftover pizza in the microwave or in the oven until warmed through.
- Special Tools: Food Processor, Pizza Pan, Pastry Brush, Pizza Cutter
- Whole Wheat Pizza Dough: Use whole wheat pizza dough if preferred.
- Pesto: Homemade pesto is recommended for best flavor.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves are recommended.
- Cheese: Use mozzarella or your favorite cheese.
- Other Toppings: Customize with your favorite toppings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: Approx. 250
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
