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 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 FETA AND ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• For the dough: Mix the sugar and yeast in 1 1/2 cups warm water (100 to 110 degrees F).
• Let sit until foamy, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Stir in the olive oil. In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the yeast mixture with the flour and salt and mix on low until smooth.
• Switch to the dough hook and knead on medium, adding a little more flour or water if needed, until the dough forms a loose, sticky ball around the hook. Increase the speed to medium-high and knead until the dough is soft, smooth and springy, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Put the dough in a large bowl, drizzle with olive oil and turn to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
• For the topping: Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine the basil, pine nuts, garlic and 3 cups of the arugula. Process to make a chunky paste. Add 1/4 cup olive oil and process until smooth. Add the Parmesan and pulse just until incorporated. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
• In a medium skillet, cook the bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels.
• When the dough has risen, preheat the oven to 500 degrees F with a baking stone on the bottom rack.
• Punch down the dough. Brush an 18-by-13-inch rimmed half-sheet pan liberally with olive oil. Transfer the dough to the pan and press it all the way into the corners (it helps to cover the dough with a sheet of plastic wrap while pressing so the dough doesn't stick to your fingers).
• Bake on the preheated stone until the dough has puffed and just begins to color, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Remove the dough from the oven, loosen from the baking sheet with a metal spatula and brush lightly with olive oil. (The crust can be baked ahead to this point and topped and finished in the oven later, if desired.)
• Spread the pesto on the dough almost to the edges. Top with the mozzarella, feta, artichokes, cooked bacon and jalapeno slices.
• Bake on the top rack until the cheese is browned and crusty, about 8 minutes more.
• In a large bowl, toss the remaining 3 cups arugula with the remaining tablespoon olive oil and the jalapeno brine. Season with salt and pepper and scatter over the pizza. Cut into squares to serve.

RUSTIC PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Make the pesto: place the toasted pine nuts in a bowl (or mortar) and crush with a wooden spoon (or pestle) to make a chunky paste. Add in the garlic and a pinch of salt and combine. Mix in the basil and Parmesan. Stir in the olive oil and season with pepper.
• Put a pizza stone onto the floor of the oven and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Put the dough onto a floured surface and knead and stretch the dough to about an 8-inch diameter. Dust a wooden pizza paddle with cornmeal and carefully transfer the dough. Spread the pesto over the dough, leaving 1-inch around the edge to form a crust. Top with the onion and tomato slices and season with salt and pepper. Scatter the olives all over the pizza and top with the fresh mozzarella. Slide the pizza onto the stone and bake until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden, about 8 to 10 minutes.

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 PILLOWS

Steps:

• Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven to 365 degrees F.
• Lay out the wonton wrappers on your work surface. Brush each entire wrapper with egg wash. Top each with a heaping tablespoon of mozzarella, a crumble of sausage, 1/2 teaspoon pesto and 1/2 teaspoon Parmesan, leaving space around the edges. Fold the corners of each wrapper into the center to make a square. Press to seal.
• Fry the sealed pockets in 2 batches, turning occasionally, until crisp and golden brown all over, 3 to 4 minutes per batch. Season lightly with salt and sprinkle with Parmesan while still hot. Serve hot, with marinara for dipping.

HOMEMADE PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Place dough in an oiled bowl. Cover, for about 45 minutes, and allow dough to rise. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Press dough into greased pizza round pan. Spread pesto over dough. Place tomatoes over pesto. Place mozerrella over tomatoes. Top with thinly sliced red onion. Drizzle more peston on top of pie. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until crispy. Serve hot.