Are you tired of the same old toppings on pizza and yearning for a burst of colourful, new flavours with each bite? The delicious world of homemade pesto pizza is your only place to look.
Have you ever wondered how to make pesto pizza at home?
If yes, you’re in for a treat!
It’s not only extremely easy but also incredibly satisfying to make homemade pizza pesto. This delectable dish is a culinary masterpiece that blends the comfortable indulgence of pizza with the aromatic richness of homemade pesto.
Join us on a delicious adventure to make the ideal pesto pizza in your own kitchen and say goodbye to store-bought mediocrity. The pesto pizza recipe is easier than you can imagine, and the results are extraordinary.
So, are you ready to learn how to make pesto pizza at home?
Let’s get started!
What is Pesto Pizza?
A delicious and unique twist on the traditional Italian dish is pesto pizza. Pesto sauce is the main ingredient in this delectable pizza variation, which features vibrant flavours.
The pizza’s base is enhanced with the aromatic and herbaceous flavour of pesto sauce made from fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and olive oil.
Further, there are many choices for pesto pizza toppings, from tender chicken breast and creamy mozzarella cheese to sun-dried tomatoes and sliced black olives.
You can experiment with various ingredients to suit your taste that pesto pizza ideas provide in the kitchen.
Pesto pizza is a tasty and delightful variation on the traditional pizza experience, whether you follow easy pesto recipes or get creative with your own combinations.
Let’s find out the recipe for pesto pizza.
Pesto Pizza Ingredients
The following are the ingredients to make a delicious pesto pizza at home:
For The Pizza Dough
- 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F/43°C)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
The Pesto Sauce
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Pesto Pizza Toppings
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup artichoke hearts, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- Red pepper flakes (optional for added spice)
Homemade Pesto Pizza Recipe
Here are the easy and simple steps to make homemade pesto pizza:
1: Make The Dough
- Mix the yeast, sugar, and warm water in a small bowl. Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes or until it foams.
- Combine the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the olive oil and yeast mixture.
- Combine everything and stir until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough for 5 minutes on a floured surface until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- The dough should be placed in a lightly oiled bowl, covered with a clean kitchen towel, and let rise for one to two hours in a warm place or until it has doubled in size.
2: Make The Pesto Sauce
- Combine the basil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic in a food processor.
- Slowly add the olive oil while the food processor is running until the pesto has the desired consistency.
- Add salt and pepper to taste when preparing the pesto. Place aside.
3: Assemble The Pizza
- Set your oven’s temperature to 475°F (245°C). When the oven is preheating, put a pizza stone in it if you have one.
- Punch the dough down and divide it into two equal pieces for two pizzas after it has doubled in size.
- On a surface dusted with flour, roll out each portion of dough to the thickness and shape you want for your pizza.
- Roll out the dough and place it on a pizza peel or an upside-down baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal or flour to keep it from sticking.
- Leave little space for the crust at the edges and evenly spread pesto sauce over the pizza dough.
- Over the pesto, spread the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- On top of the cheese, sprinkle the red onion, black olives, artichoke hearts, and sun-dried tomatoes.
- If you want more spice, you can add red pepper flakes.
4: Bake The Pizza
- Slide the pizza gently onto the hot stone in the preheated oven if you’re using a pizza stone. In any other case, put the pizza baking sheet in the oven.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and lightly browned and the crust is golden brown.
5: Serve The Pesto Pizza
- After removing the pizza from the oven, let it a few seconds to cool.
- Your amazing homemade pesto pizza is ready to be served and enjoyed!
You can add extra toppings to your pizza, such as grilled chicken, roasted red peppers, or fresh basil.
Enjoy your pesto pizza at home!
Chicken Pesto Pizza Recipe
Here are the ingredients for chicken pesto pizza:
Ingredients:
- 1 pre-made pizza crust (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cup basil pesto sauce
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Following are the steps to make tasty pesto chicken pizza:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) or as directed on the pizza crust package.
- Roll out the pizza dough to the required thickness on a floured surface before transferring it to a pizza stone or a baking sheet.
- Leave a thin border of dough around the edges and evenly distribute the basil pesto over the pizza crust.
- Spread the half of the mozzarella cheese over the pesto sauce.
- Put the cooked chicken breast over the cheese in an even layer.
- On top of the chicken, scatter the leftover mozzarella cheese.
- Place the sliced black olives and cherry tomatoes on the pizza.
- Spread the grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake the pizza for 12 to 15 minutes in a preheated oven or until the crust is golden.
- Once the pizza has been taken out of the oven, give it a few seconds to cool. Add some fresh basil leaves as a garnish to add more flavour.
Serve and enjoy the slices of chicken pesto pizza!
Takeaway
The next time you crave a delicious pesto pizza, avoid ordering and prepare it yourself. With the instructions we’ve provided on “how to make pesto pizza at home?” you can enjoy a homemade masterpiece that will delight your taste buds.
Your ingredients’ quality and willingness to try new flavours will determine how great your pesto pizza turns out.
So, why choose mediocre store-bought pizzas when you can make a masterpiece in the comfort of your own home?
Learn to make mouthwatering pesto pizza at home with our Top Recipes!