Pesto Pizza Bread 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.

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 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.

FRENCH BREAD PIZZAS

Steps:

• For the base sauce: Place an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
• Mix together the melted butter, Italian seasoning and garlic in a small bowl. Place the French bread on the prepared sheet pan cut-side up. Brush the butter mixture over the bread.
• For the fully loaded pizza: Spread the marinara sauce over one half of the French bread. Sprinkle over the mozzarella, then top with the pepperoni, green pepper, sausage crumbles, black olives and jalapenos.
• For the garden pesto pizza: Mix together the ricotta, pesto and lemon zest in a small bowl. Spread over the other half of the French bread. Lay on the zucchini slices, peppers, asparagus, corn and finally the goat cheese.
• Bake until the cheeses melt and become bubbly, 12 to 14 minutes. Garnish the fully loaded pizza with the Parmesan and the garden pesto pizza with the basil. Slice and serve.

PESTO AND MOZZARELLA FRENCH BREAD PIZZA

Steps:

• Make the pesto: Heat the oven to 450 degrees with a rack in the middle position. Combine basil, 1 garlic clove and pine nuts in a food processor, and pulse until finely chopped. With the machine running, stream in the olive oil. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add Parmesan and salt, and pulse to combine.
• Prepare the pizza: Combine the 1/4 cup olive oil and grated garlic in a small pot over medium. Cook, swirling occasionally, until the garlic starts to sizzle (but doesn't begin to brown), 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Place the French bread cut side up on a baking sheet. Brush cut sides with garlic oil. Bake until edges are golden, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Spread the pesto over the two halves all the way to the edges and top with the cheese. Return to the oven and bake until the cheese is evenly melted, about 5 minutes. Increase heat to broil and broil (watch carefully!) until the cheese is bubbly and browned in spots, 1 to 2 minutes more. Let cool 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Top with red-pepper flakes, oregano and more Parmesan, if you like.

MEDITERRANEAN PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Spread pesto onto each pita; top with feta cheese, tomatoes, and Kalamata olives. Place each pita onto a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, 6 to 8 minutes.

PESTO PIZZA BREAD

Steps:

• For Sauce.
• Combine first 6 ingredients in processor or blender and puree, stopping machine as necessary to scrape down sides of container; pour into bowl.
• Stir in cheeses, cover and refrigerate.
• (Flavor is better if cheeses are grated and added just before using.).
• For Bread.
• Grease two 14-inch pizza pans or heavy bottomed baking sheets and sprinkle with cornmeal.
• Oil large mixing bowl and set aside.
• Pour 2/3 cup warm water into another large bowl.
• Add yeast and sugar and stir until disolved.
• Let mixture stand until foamy, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in remaining water with olive oil and salt.
• Mix in about 5 cups of flour, 1 cup at a time, beating well with wooden spoon after each addition, until dough comes away from sides of bowl.
• Sprinkle work surface with 1/2 cup remaining flour.
• Turn dough out onto surface and knead until dough is smooth, shiny and elastic, about 10 minutes.
• Transfer dough to oiled bowl, turning to coat all surfaces.
• Cover with towel and let stand in warm draft-free area until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Punch dough down, turn out onto floured surface and knead briefly into ball.
• Return to bowl, cover with towel and let stand in warm, draft-free area until doubled again, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Punch dough down;.turn out onto lightly floured surface.
• Divide dough in half;roll or pat each half into 14-inch circle.
• Transfer to prepared pans.
• Pinch up edges of dough to form shallow rim.
• Brush twice with egg mixture.
• Divide Pesto Sauce evenly between crusts.
• Let stand in warm, draft-free area for approximately 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Bake until crusts are golden brown,about 20 to 30 minutes.
• Let stand 5 minutes before cutting into wedges.
• Bread may be wrapped in foil and refrigerated for several hours after baking and cooling. To reheat, sprinkle with a little water, wrap in foil and warm in 400 degree oven for 10 minutes.
• For variations,arrange slices of Fontina, Bel Paese, mozarella or provalone cheese over Pesto Sauce before baking.