Basil Pesto Perfection Pizza
Looking for the *best* pesto pizza recipe? My Basil Pesto Perfection Pizza uses fresh ingredients for a flavour explosion! Easy enough for weeknights, impressive enough for guests. Get the recipe! ... Family Favorites
Recipe Introduction: Let's Get This Pesto Pizza Recipe Cracking!
Fancy a pesto pizza recipe that's both dead easy and seriously tasty? honestly, who doesn't love pizza? this basil pesto pizza recipe is about to become your new fave.
It's vibrant, flavourful, and totally achievable, even if you're not exactly a whiz in the kitchen.
What's the Deal with This Pizza?
This homemade pesto pizza is all about celebrating fresh flavours. we're talking about a crispy base slathered in fragrant basil pesto , topped with creamy mozzarella and bursts of sun-dried tomato.
It's like a little slice of italian sunshine, right in your kitchen! this beauty is super easy, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or even a posh picnic.
Quick and Easy Pesto Pizza: Your New Go-To
Originating from the sunny shores of italy, pesto pizza is a modern twist on a classic favourite. this recipe is dead easy, taking around 40- 45 minutes to whip up.
It's good for about 6 slices, perfect for sharing...or not!
Why This Pizza Rocks
This recipe is all about the good stuff. you know healthy pizza doesn’t have to be boring! basil pesto is packed with antioxidants.
This vegetarian pesto pizza is perfect for any occasion. what makes it special? the fresh flavours and the surprisingly easy method.
It's easy pizza , i swear!.
Ready to grab your ingredients? i’ll walk you through what you need to create the best mozzarella pesto pizza ever.
Get ready to dive in and make your own gourmet pizza recipes at home!
Basil Pesto Perfection Pizza Recipe Card
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts
Ingredients & Equipment for the Best Pesto Pizza Recipe Ever!
Let's talk about what you'll need to whip up this incredible homemade pesto pizza . this isn't some fancy gourmet pizza recipe that requires hours in the kitchen.
It's an easy pizza meant for real life, real people, and real appetites. i want it to be the perfect basil pesto pizza recipe that you can follow!
Main Ingredients: The Heart of the Pesto Pizza Recipe
Okay, here's the shopping list, broken down for ya:
- Dough: 1 cup + 2 tablespoons (150g) all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon (5g) instant dry yeast, 1 teaspoon (6g) sugar, ½ teaspoon (3g) salt, ½ cup (120ml) lukewarm water, 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil.
- Pesto: 2 cups (60g) fresh basil leaves, 1/4 cup (25g) pine nuts, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil, Salt and pepper to taste.
- Toppings: 8 ounces (225g) fresh mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup (75g) sun-dried tomatoes.
The basil? make sure it's bright green and fragrant . honestly, limp basil will make a sad pesto. no one wants that.
For the mozzarella pesto pizza, try to find fresh mozzarella. the stuff packed in water, not the pre-shredded kind. you'll thank me later.
Seasoning Notes: Pesto Power!
Pesto is more than just basil. toasting the pine nuts is absolutely key ! it unlocks this nutty, almost buttery flavor that takes your pesto to the next level.
Don't skip it. garlic is essential. two cloves gives it a nice bite, but adjust to your taste. i like to add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little zing , but that's totally optional.
If you want to have a chicken pesto pizza just add some shredded chicken on the top before baking.
If you don't have pine nuts, you can use walnuts or almonds. parmesan gives it the salty, savory goodness. but if you are vegetarian pesto pizza , you can find amazing dairy-free parmesan alternatives in most supermarkets now.
Equipment Needed: Keep it Simple
You really don't need a ton of fancy equipment to make this healthy pizza a reality.
- Large Mixing Bowl: For making the dough.
- Baking Sheet: To bake the pizza.
- Food Processor: For the pesto. A blender can work, but a food processor is ideal.
- Pizza Cutter: Or a sharp knife, if you're feeling fancy.
Don't have a pizza cutter? no worries! a large, sharp knife will do the trick. parchment paper makes cleanup a breeze, but you can just grease the baking sheet well with olive oil if you don't have any.
It gives the pizza a nice crispy crust. enjoy your homemade pesto pizza! i promise this basil pesto pizza recipe will not let you down, and is a perfect starting point for pizza recipes homemade.
Let's Make a Basil Pesto Perfection Pizza Recipe
Honestly, who doesn't love pizza? And this basil pesto pizza recipe is a total game changer. Ditch the takeaway, because we're making something way better. I promise, it's easier than you think.
Prep Steps: Mise en Place, innit?
First things first, let's get organised. mise en place is just a fancy way of saying "get your act together before you start cooking.
" so, chop your sun-dried tomatoes , slice that gorgeous mozzarella , and get all your ingredients ready. it will save you time, like a proper chef! speaking of saving time, you can even buy pre-made dough, but where's the fun in that?
Step-by-Step: From Dough to Delicious
Here's the lowdown on making this homemade pesto pizza :
- Dough Time : Mix 1 cup + 2 tablespoons (150g) all-purpose flour , 1 teaspoon (5g) instant dry yeast , 1 teaspoon (6g) sugar , ½ teaspoon (3g) salt , ½ cup (120ml) lukewarm water and 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil in a bowl. Knead until smooth. Let it rise until doubled. Honestly, this is therapeutic.
- Pesto Magic : Chuck 2 cups (60g) fresh basil leaves , ¼ cup (25g) toasted pine nuts , 2 cloves garlic , ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese , and ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil into a food processor. Whizz it up. Season.
- Oven Ready : Preheat your oven to 450° F ( 230° C) . This is crucial for a crispy crust.
- Pizza Assembly : Roll out your dough, slap on that basil pesto , then the mozzarella and sun-dried tomatoes .
- Bake it! : Bake for 15- 20 minutes . Look for that golden crust and bubbly cheese, and don't burn it!
Pro Tips and Tricks: Gourmet Pizza Recipes Secrets
Want to take your homemade pesto pizza to the next level? toast those pine nuts! seriously. it makes such a difference.
Also, don't overload your pizza , it will go all soggy and nobody wants that.
Oh, and avoid using too much pesto . it can make the base all wet and sad. a light covering is all you need.
If you want to go crazy with the flavours, try adding some grilled chicken pesto pizza . it's a tasty twist.
And if you are a vegetarian you can enjoy vegetarian pesto pizza or the mozarella pesto pizza
This easy pizza can be healthy pizza , if you go with low fat cheese and whole wheat flour for the dough.
It is one of the pizza recipes homemade that are easier to make.
So, there you have it! My pesto pizza recipe . Honestly, this basil pesto pizza recipe is now one of my go-to gourmet pizza recipes . Enjoy.
Recipe Notes: Tweaking Your Basil Pesto Perfection Pizza
So, you're ready to make some amazing homemade pesto pizza ? awesome! but before you dive in, let's chat about some extra bits and bobs to make your basil pesto pizza recipe truly yours .
Plus some handy info to make things go smoothly.
Serving It Up Like a Pro
Okay, picture this: a slice of easy pizza with vibrant green pesto, gleaming mozzarella, and pops of red from the sun-dried tomatoes.
Plating and presentation matter! a few fresh basil leaves scattered on top add a touch of elegance. serve it with a simple side salad.
Something like arugula with a lemony dressing works wonders. the sharpness cuts through the richness of the pesto pizza recipe .
Or, why not offer a refreshing italian soda? the bubbles are lovely.
Storing Secrets for Leftover Pizza
Honestly, who has leftover pizza? but if you do, here's the drill. refrigerate any remaining mozzarella pesto pizza slices in an airtight container.
They'll keep for about 2-3 days. for reheating, the oven is your best bet. a few minutes at 350° f ( 175° c) will crisp it up nicely.
Microwaving makes the crust sad and soggy – avoid it if you can. freezing is possible but the crust might lose some of its crispness.
Wrap individual slices tightly in foil and freeze. reheat directly from frozen in the oven.
Remixing the Recipe: Variations on a Theme
Fancy a change? for a vegetarian pesto pizza , load it up with roasted veggies like peppers and courgettes. or, if you are really after that extra something, top it with sundried tomatoes.
You can easily adapt this recipe. craving a chicken pesto pizza ? add shredded rotisserie chicken before baking. quick, easy, and delicious! for a seasonal twist, swap out the basil pesto for a kale or spinach pesto.
It offers a different flavour profile while keeping that vibrant green colour. honestly? it´s just awesome, you know?
Nutrition Nuggets: Guilt-Free Gourmet Pizza
Let's be real. gourmet pizza recipes aren't usually health food. but this one has some good stuff going on. basil is packed with antioxidants.
Olive oil is a source of healthy fats. each slice of this healthy pizza has roughly 350 calories. it provides around 15g of protein.
The dish also contains 20g of fat and 30g of carbohydrates. using whole wheat flour for the dough bumps up the fibre content too.
So there you have it! All the notes you need to rock this pesto pizza recipe . Don't be afraid to experiment and make it your own. Happy pizza-making!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the pizza dough and pesto ahead of time for this pesto pizza recipe?
Absolutely! Making components in advance is a total game-changer for busy weeknights. The pizza dough can be made a day or two ahead and stored in the fridge. Just be sure to bring it to room temperature before rolling it out. Similarly, pesto can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge (cover the surface with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent it from browning), or even frozen for longer storage – a real "Blue Peter" trick for getting ahead!
What if I don't have pine nuts? Are there any good substitutions for my pesto pizza recipe?
No pine nuts, no problem! This is a classic substitution conundrum. Walnuts or almonds make excellent substitutes for pine nuts in pesto. Toast them lightly before adding them to the food processor, just like you would with pine nuts, to bring out their nutty flavour. It's all about adapting, innit?
My pesto pizza crust always comes out soggy. What am I doing wrong?
A soggy crust is a common pizza woe, but easily avoided. First, make sure your oven is properly preheated – a blazing hot oven is key. Don't overload the pizza with too much pesto or toppings, as this can weigh the crust down. For a super crispy base, consider pre-baking the crust for 5-7 minutes before adding the toppings – a little "Bake Off" secret for guaranteed success.
How long will leftover pesto pizza keep, and what's the best way to reheat it?
Leftover pesto pizza can be stored in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. To reheat it and revive that crispy crust, the oven is your best bet – a quick blast at 350°F (175°C) usually does the trick. Avoid the microwave if you can, as it tends to make the crust a bit soggy; unless you like that kinda thing. Alternatively, a dry frying pan on medium heat works well to crisp up the base too!
Is pesto pizza healthy? What are the nutritional considerations?
Pesto pizza, while delicious, is more of an indulgence than a health food. It contains a decent amount of fat from the olive oil and cheese. However, it also provides beneficial nutrients from the basil and tomatoes. You can make it healthier by using whole wheat dough, opting for part-skim mozzarella, and loading up on extra veggies! Just be mindful of portion sizes and balance it with a healthy side salad, like a proper balanced meal.
Can I use store-bought pesto for this pesto pizza recipe, or does it need to be homemade?
While homemade pesto definitely elevates the flavour profile of your pesto pizza, store-bought pesto is perfectly acceptable in a pinch. Just be sure to choose a good quality brand with fresh ingredients and a vibrant green colour. If using store-bought, you might want to consider adding a squeeze of lemon juice or a sprinkle of extra Parmesan to brighten up the flavour a bit - consider it like adding your own signature flourish to a classic tune!
