Rustic Pesto Pizza Recipes

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 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.

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.

PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Brush the cut sides of the bread with the pesto. Divide the capicola, mozzarella and Parmesan among the pesto-topped bread.
• Place the assembled bread halves on a baking sheet, then broil until the cheese melts. Top with the basil and serve.

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

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500 degrees, with a baking sheet on middle rack. Brush flatbreads with olive oil, then add your favorite toppings. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to hot sheet;bake until bottoms are crisp and toppings are heated through, 5 to 7 minutes. Top withdollops of Basic Basil Pesto and serve immediately.

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.

PESTO PIZZA RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425ºF/220ºC and prepare a sheet pan with parchment paper or corn meal.
• Add flour, yeast, and salt to the Vitamix and pulse at variable 5 several times. Remove the lid plug and slowly add the water and olive oil while pulsing at variable 6. Stop pulsing once all of the water and oil have been added, and the dough forms a ball.
• Place dough in an oiled bowl and flip it over so both sides get oiled. Rest until ready to use (at least 15 to 20 minutes).
• In the 16-oz container, blend Parmesan, pine nuts, olive oil, and garlic cloves on variable 4 until smooth.
• Add basil, then continue blend on variable 2 for 10 seconds, then increase to variable 6 and blend until smooth. If the mixture is not blending, add additional olive oil or a tablespoon of water or lemon juice, then continue to blend until smooth.
• On the sheet pan, stretch out half of the dough to form a 12-14-inch (30 - 35 cm) pizza crust. Save remaining dough for later. (Tip: Leftover pizza dough makes for great cinnamon rolls!)
• Spread half of the pesto onto the pizza dough and sprinkle with mozzarella. (Save remaining pesto for another time or freeze for up to 1 month.)
• Add onions and chicken to the top of the pizza and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until cheese has melted and crust is light golden brown. Sprinkle with chopped tomatoes and a few fresh basil leaves.
• Enjoy!