Pesto Pizza Food

PESTO PIZZAS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spread basil pesto on each of two pizza crusts.
• Layer each crust with plum tomato; sprinkle with grated mozzarella cheese. (Or, layer with just cheese, using 3 ounces thinly sliced fresh mozzarella.) Season with coarse salt and ground pepper.
• Transfer to a baking sheet; bake until cheese has melted and crust is golden brown, about 10 minutes. Slice, and serve immediately.

BASIL PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes, then add the onions. Saute on low until the onions are browned and caramelized, 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine the walnuts and 1 cup of the oil and process until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the Parmesan, lemon juice, garlic and 1 teaspoon sea salt and process until blended, about 1 minute. Add 3 3/4 cups of the chopped basil, reserving the remaining 1/4 cup for topping the pizza. Add the spinach and process until smooth, about 1 minute.
• In a medium skillet over medium heat, add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes. Add the olives and saute for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, then add the balsamic vinegar and a little sea salt to taste.
• To assemble the pizzas, place the pizza crusts on two sheet pans or large round pizza pans. Spread the pesto onto the crusts, leaving a 1/4-inch border. Top with the caramelized onions, tomatoes, reserved basil, and olive mixture. Garnish with a little grated Parmesan if you like. Bake until the crusts are golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes.

POTATO & PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Bring a pan of salted water to the boil, drop in the potatoes and simmer for 15 mins or until tender. Drain and leave to cool a little, then slice.
• Meanwhile, heat oven to 220C/200C fan/ gas 7. Prepare the bread mix following pack instructions. Roll out into a rough circle, about 28cm diameter, then transfer to an oiled baking tray. Set aside for 15 mins.
• Spread the pesto over the pizza base. Scatter over half the mozzarella. Top with the potatoes and remaining cheese. Drizzle the oil over the potatoes and bake for 15-18 mins or until the crust is golden and the cheese bubbling. Scatter over the rocket and a good grinding of black pepper before serving.

PESTO PIZZA WITH FRESH TOMATOES & MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Combine the flour, olive oil, yeast, salt and water in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Mix on low speed until the dough comes together. Increase the speed to medium-low and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled large bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• When the dough has risen, punch it down and place it on a lightly floured surface. Cut in half and roll each part into a ball. Cover the dough balls with a damp kitchen towel and let rest for 15 to 20 minutes (the dough will rise a bit).
• Meanwhile, set an oven rack in the bottom position and preheat the oven to 500°F. Sprinkle the cornmeal on an 18x13-inch baking sheet; set aside. Cut the tomatoes crosswise into ⅛-inch-thick slices and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain the juices.
• Lightly dust a work surface with flour, and then press and stretch the rested dough into two 12x8-inch rectangles. If the dough is sticky, dust it lightly with flour. Place the two pizza doughs side-by-side on the cornmeal-dusted baking sheet. Press the dough out again so that it almost touches the edges of the pan.
• Spread ⅓ cup of the pesto evenly over the pizzas (2½ tablespoons each), leaving a 1-inch border. Bake on the bottom rack for 4 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven; and then top the pizzas with the mozzarella cheese, followed by the tomato slices and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Season each pizza with an ⅛-teaspoon salt and a few grinds fresh black pepper. Place the pizzas back in the oven and bake until the crust is crisp and golden, 6 to 8 minutes more. Transfer the pizzas to a cutting board. Drizzle the remaining pesto over the pizzas and sprinkle with the fresh basil. Cut into slices and serve immediately.
• Note: Active dry yeast may be used instead of instant/rapid-rise yeast, however, the dough will take longer to rise. To give active dry yeast a boost, you can dissolve it in the warm water and let it sit until frothy, about 10 minutes. After that, add it to the flour, olive oil, and salt, and proceed with the recipe.
• Make Ahead Instructions: Once the dough has completed it's initial rise, and you've cut it in half to form two balls, lightly coat each dough ball with olive oil. Place the dough ball(s) into a freezer bag and seal shut, squeezing out all the air. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 days. When ready to use, let the dough sit out on the countertop for 30 minutes to warm up before stretching.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The dough can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to use, defrost in the refrigerator overnight (or for at least 12 hours), and then let it warm up on the countertop for about 30 minutes before stretching.

PESTO PIZZA RECIPE

Steps:

• Follow the Best Pizza Dough recipe to prepare the dough. (This takes about 15 minutes to make and 45 minutes to rest.)
• Place your pizza stone in the oven and preheat to 500°F. Slice the tomato.
• When the oven is ready, dust a pizza peel with cornmeal or semolina flour. (If you don't have a pizza peel, you can use a rimless baking sheet or the back of a rimmed baking sheet. But a pizza peel is well worth the investment!) Stretch the dough into a circle; see How to Stretch Pizza Dough for instructions. Then gently place the dough onto the pizza peel.
• Quickly assemble the pizza. Spread the pesto over the dough, sprinkle on as much cheese as you like, add the tomato slices, and top with some fresh grated Parmesan and a pinch of salt.
• Use the pizza peel to carefully transfer the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone.
• Bake the pizza until the cheese and crust are nicely browned, about 5 to 7 minutes in the oven (or 1 minute in a pizza oven). Try to let the pizza cool before you eat it, so you don't burn off all your taste buds - this is always the hardest part!

EASY PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°. Place dough on a lightly floured surface; let rest for 10 minutes. Knead in 1/4 cup cheese, basil and oregano. Roll into a 12-in. circle; place on a greased 14-in. pizza pan. Prick with a fork. Bake for 10 minutes., Spread pesto sauce over the crust. Sprinkle with mushrooms, mozzarella cheese and remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake until golden brown, 8-10 minutes longer.

EASY PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• In a small bowl, combine Ricotta and Parmesan.
• Spread pesto over the ready-to-cook pizza crust. Spread the ricotta and Parmesan over the pesto, and layer the tomatoes over the cheese. Sprinkle with Parmesan to taste.
• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.

PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Spread pesto on pizza crust. Top with tomatoes, bell peppers, olives, red onions, artichoke hearts and feta cheese.
• Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and browned.

PESTO PIZZA WITH FRESH TOMATOES & MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Make homemade Pizza Dough as per instructions, let dough** rest for approximately 15-20 minutes before rolling
• Pre heat oven to 425 F (220 C).
• Shape the dough into a lightly greased pizza or cookie sheet, spread the Arugula Pesto or Basil Pesto (if you prefer) on top, then top with shredded mozzarella and sliced tomatoes. Drizzle with a tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with a little salt. Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes or until crust is baked and cheese is melted. Let sit 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
• **Whether store bought or homemade pizza dough should rest for approximately 20 minutes before shaping into a round or oval shape. It keeps the dough from springing back when shaping.

PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• In a blender, combine oil and garlic; cover and process until smooth. Add basil and blend thoroughly. Spread over crust. Sprinkle with toppings. Bake at 425° for 10 minutes.

SAUSAGE & PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Remove the pizza dough from the freezer 1-2 hrs before cooking to defrost. Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Put a large baking sheet in the oven to heat.
• Tip the chopped tomatoes into a saucepan, simmer uncovered for 15 mins until reduced and saucy, then season to taste.
• Squeeze the sausagemeat out of the skins and into a bowl. Divide into 10 small balls. Pour the oil into a non-stick frying pan and fry the meatballs over a medium heat for 5 mins until golden brown.
• Roll the dough out into two oval-shaped pizzas about 20cm long. Top with a layer of the tomato sauce, then swirl in the pesto. Tear the mozzarella and scatter that over along with the sausage meatballs. Slide the pizzas onto the hot baking sheet and cook for 18-20 mins or until crisp and charred at the edges. Scatter over a few basil leaves to serve, if you like.

GOURMET PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• If the pizza dough has been refrigerated, take it out and let it warm up a bit.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large pan and then add the mushrooms and chopped onions. Saute until soft. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute or two. If there is liquid remaining in the pain, drain it.
• Stretch out the pizza dough onto a lightly oiled pizza pan, or a pizza stone.
• spread the pesto sauce onto the dough -- it's best of the pesto is a little less oily than usual: if I buy store-bought I let it separate a bit in the container and then avoid the oil rather than mixing it back inches.
• Top with the sauteed vegetables, then the shredded cheese.
• Add the black olives and small (1/2 inch cubes) chunks of the goat cheese.
• Bake according to the instructions on the dough or dough recipe (generally 450 degrees for about 10-12 minutes).
• Slice and enjoy!

BASIL PIZZA RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven and stone/sheet pan. Preheat the oven to 500°F, with a pizza stone on center rack. If you don't have a pizza stone, place a sheet pan on the rack a few minutes before you assemble the pizzas.
• Make the pesto. Add the basil, pine nuts, Parmesan and garlic to a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Blend until the basil is in tiny pieces. Then add the tomato paste, lemon juice, olive oil and pinch of sugar, and blend until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Here's How to Season to Taste.)
• Prepare the pizza crust. Either shape your pizza dough into approximately 12-inch rounds, or set out your pre-baked approximately 12-inch rounds, on a lightly floured work surface.
• Assemble the pizzas. Evenly divide the pesto among the two crusts, spreading it thinly. Then sprinkle each with equal amounts of the grated Mozzarella. Now divide the red onion slices between the two, and about half of the basil leaves.
• Bake. Transfer the pizzas to the stone or baking sheet and drizzle about ½ tablespoon of the olive oil along the edges of the crusts. Place in the preheated 500°F oven, and bake until the crust is golden along the edges, about 15 minutes. (For pre-baked crusts, heat just long enough to melt the cheese and heat it through.)
• Garnish, cut and serve. Once out of the oven, add the chili flakes (if desired), pine nuts, and the remaining fresh basil leaves. Then drizzle with the remaining olive oil, slice and serve.

QUICK AND EASY PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• To make small personal pizzas: Divide the dough into 6-8 sections. Stretch to make circles that are about 6-8 inches in diameter and about 1/4-1/2 inch thick. Place onto a pizza stone or baking sheet dusted with cornmeal. (You may need to bake on more than one pizza stone or baking sheet.)
• Top each round with 2 tablespoons pesto and 1/3 cup cheese.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden brown and the crust sounds hollow when you tap it.
• Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Cut into wedges or sticks and serve warm topped with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

PESTO SAUCE (FOR PIZZA ESPECIALLY)

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender.
• Puree until the mixture forms a smooth, thick paste.
• Topping ideas for pesto pizza: Sliced crimini mushrooms.
• Reconstituted sun-dried tomatoes.
• Sliced black olives.
• Shaved Parmesan cheese.

31 BEST PESTO PIZZA RECIPES

Steps:

• Select your favorite recipe.
• Organize all the required ingredients.
• Prep the recipe in 30 minutes or less!

PESTO CHICKEN PIZZA

Steps:

• For the pizza dough: Place the warm water in a small bowl and stir in the yeast and sugar until dissolved. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and set aside until the liquid is foamy (about 10 minutes).
• In a large bowl, combine 3 cups flour and 1 teaspoon salt. Make a well in the center of the flour and add the yeast mixture and oil. With a wooden spoon, beat the ingredients together to form a soft, sticky mass.
• Turn the dough onto a well-floured work surface. With floured hands, knead the dough, adding more flour, a little at a time, until smooth and elastic, 8 to 12 minutes. Form the dough into a ball.
• Place the dough in a large bowl that has been brushed with oil. Turn the dough to coat all sides with oil. Cover with wax paper and a clean towel, and place in a warm draft free place. Let the dough rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• With a floured fist, punch down the dough. Cover again and allow the dough to rise another 40 minutes.
• The dough is now ready to be rolled out for a pizza.
• For the pesto pizza: Place the rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place the rolled-out pizza dough onto a 16-inch oiled pizza pan or screen.
• Place the pesto onto the pizza dough and spread it around the surface of the pizza. Leave about a 1/2-inch border on the outside of dough.
• Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the pizza. Place the chopped chicken on top of the cheese.
• Bake 25 to 30 minutes. Check it occasionally to ensure it doesn't burn.
• Remove the cooked pizza from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes (if you can wait that long). Sprinkle the basil on top of pizza, then cut and enjoy!