An easy and delicious pesto pizza using the easiest homemade pizza dough recipe and sun-dried tomato pesto. Make pizza night fun and exciting with different variations of freshly made pizza.
1pizza dough(homemade (see link in 'How To' above) or store brand )
½cuppesto (homemade ((see link in 'How To' above) or store brand )
2cupsmozzarella cheese(grate cheese yourself do not use pre-shredded cheese)
1teaspoondried Italian seasoning
1cupfresh arugula(optional)
1tablespoonextra virgin olive oil(divided)
½cupsliced black olives(optional)
¼cupparmesan cheese(optional grate your own cheese if possible as it melts better)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 475 degrees.
Prepare pizza pan by lightly spraying with cooking spray to prevent pizza dough from sticking. Set aside
Roll out pizza dough to preferred shape (circular, oblong, or rustic shape). Drizzle lightly with extra virgin olive oil.
Blind bake (optional) but I recommend so the crust gets crispy on the bottom
Slather a layer of pesto sauce on pizza dough. Top with grated mozzarella cheese and sliced black olives. Place pizza in preheated oven until cheese melts. Remove pizza from oven.
Top with fresh arugula, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, and top with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Slice pizza into triangles or squares and ENJOY!
Notes
**Please note: Nutritional values serve as a guide only as values may vary.Recipe Tips:
If you buy store bought pizza dough or pesto, your cooking time will drop from 1 hr and 10 minutes to 10 minutes.
I highly recommend that you give homemade pizza dough a try. It's very easy and not intimating at all.
Pre-bake the pizza dough in the oven before adding toppings, so you'll have a crispy bottom.
Mist pizza pan with cooking spray if necessary to prevent dough from sticking to the pan.
Either homemade pesto sauce or store bought are both great options. When making it homemade you're in control of the ingredients.
Bake the pizza at a high temperature.
If you use fresh mozzarella, make sure to dry it thoroughly with paper towels before topping your pizza.
ALWAYS grate the cheese yourself using a box-grater, please do not use pre-shredded cheese it doesn't melt well.
Watch the pizza closely while it's baking in the oven so the cheese doesn't burn.
Add more delicate veggies such as arugula or fresh herbs after the pizza comes out of the oven as they will burn or become charred giving an unpleasant taste.