Pesto Pizza Recipe

April 4, 2026

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This straightforward pesto pizza recipe comes collectively quick with a crisp crust, melty cheese, and daring, contemporary taste. It’s excellent for pesto lovers and pizza night time at house.

As a selfmade pizza professional, there’s one thing I’ve realized: the best pizza toppings are one of the best. You possibly can go tremendous fancy, nevertheless it’s by no means higher than one thing easy like an incredible Margherita pizza.

The identical goes for pesto! A very nice selfmade basil pesto, a handful of mozzarella cheese, just a few slices of tomato, and a bathe of Parmesan: that’s it! Throw it in a sizzling oven on an excellent selfmade pizza dough, and it’s completely chic. It’s much more of a breeze to make if you have already got pizza dough within the freezer

Watch the Video!

This video walks you thru the complete course of: from stretching the pizza dough to pulling a steaming pesto pizza out of the oven.

Featured Reader Evaluate

“Had an abundance of basil and located this recipe: we invited our neighbors on this maiden voyage and all of us liked the end result. I exploit Campari tomatoes and it was an ideal match.” -Ira

Components You’ll Want

Right here’s what goes into this pesto pizza:

Pizza dough: I exploit my traditional pizza dough recipe, which takes about quarter-hour to combine and 45 minutes to relaxation. My skinny crust pizza dough is one other nice possibility, or you should use store-bought pizza dough in a pinch. This sheet pan pizza is even simpler and makes an enormous pan of three pizzas.
Basil pesto: Home made pesto is the best possible. Make a batch of contemporary basil pesto in the event you can. You may as well strive cashew pesto, walnut pesto, or vegan pesto as a dairy-free possibility. For those who can’t discover it, strive refrigerated tubes of pesto within the produce part.
Mozzarella cheese: Shredded mozzarella or a pizza mix melts evenly; contemporary mozzarella additionally works. I prefer to tear it into small items after which blot it with paper towel first so the pizza doesn’t get soggy.
Roma tomatoes: Romas are much less watery than different massive tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes (halved) are one other nice swap.
Parmesan cheese: That is non-obligatory, nevertheless it provides a pleasant salty ending taste.

My Bought Pesto Tip

I don’t all the time have numerous basil, however I’ve discovered that pesto in jars can typically have a robust taste and a bitter aftertaste.

I’ve discovered that refrigerated contemporary pesto, which could be discovered within the produce part and is commonly bought in tubes, often tastes higher. I attempt to discover this once I can!

Be at liberty to weigh in within the feedback beneath if in case you have an incredible pesto model you like.

The right way to Make Pesto Pizza

Step 1: Make the dough. Put together your pizza dough recipe and let it relaxation for 45 minutes. (This step could be 3 days prematurely and refrigerated: or use dough from the freezer, thawed in a single day within the fridge.)

Step 2: Preheat your oven and pizza stone. Place a pizza stone within the oven and preheat to 500°F. This excessive warmth is essential for a crispy on the skin, chewy on the within crust.

Step 3: Stretch the dough. Mud a pizza peel (or rimless baking sheet) generously with cornmeal. Stretch it right into a spherical: see my information of tips on how to stretch pizza dough.

Step 4: Assemble shortly. Unfold the basil pesto in a skinny, even layer, then add cheese, tomato slices, Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of salt.

Step 5: Bake. Use the pizza peel to slip the pesto pizza onto the preheated stone. Bake for five to 7 minutes, till the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown. (In a pizza oven, this takes about 1 minute.)

Straightforward Variations & Topping Concepts

After all, you may differ the cheeses and veggie toppings a bit. That is my traditional pesto pizza however listed below are another enjoyable choices:

Cheese swaps: Feta cheese is particularly tasty: you may even add kalamata olives for a Mediterranean pizza vibe. Ricotta dolloped over the pesto base is one other enjoyable concept.

Veggie add-ins: You possibly can add different veggies like sun-dried tomatoes, roasted crimson peppers, artichoke hearts, thinly sliced crimson onion, or arugula. If utilizing different veggies, you’ll wish to sauté them (like sauteed mushrooms).

Protein choices: Prosciutto could be completely excellent right here. You possibly can additionally add grilled hen or sausage.

Pesto variations: Swap in arugula pesto, cashew pesto, or solar dried tomato pesto for various flavors.

Cheater variation: Attempt my Pita Pizza or Naan Pizza with these toppings: it’s a a lot faster method to pizza!

Storage Ideas

Pesto pizza is finest eaten proper out of the oven, however leftover slices will final 2 to three days refrigerated.

Reheat slices in a dry skillet over medium warmth, coated, for two to three minutes. The underside crisps again up and the cheese re-melts properly. A 375°F oven additionally works: place slices instantly on the rack to crisp them up.

Dietary Notes

This pesto pizza recipe is vegetarian.

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