Description
This Veggie Garden Pesto Pizza is a flavorful and colorful Italian-inspired main course featuring a crispy pizza crust topped with vibrant garden vegetables, creamy basil pesto, and gooey mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a vegetarian meal, it combines fresh cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, red onion, mushrooms, and olives for a healthy and delicious homemade pizza experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Base
- 1 prepared pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
Toppings
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup sliced bell peppers (any color)
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Finishing
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat thoroughly. This step ensures a crispy crust by providing even heat from below.
- Prepare the dough: Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness. Carefully transfer the rolled dough onto a sheet of parchment paper for easy handling and transfer.
- Add pesto and toppings: Spread the basil pesto evenly over the surface of the dough, leaving a small border around the edges to form a crust. Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the pesto. Layer the halved cherry tomatoes, sliced bell peppers, red onion, mushrooms, and black olives on top of the cheese.
- Season and drizzle: Drizzle the pizza lightly with olive oil, then season with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. This adds flavor and helps the vegetables roast beautifully in the oven.
- Bake the pizza: Carefully transfer the pizza on the parchment paper to the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the crust turns golden and the cheese melts and bubbles to perfection.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately top with fresh basil leaves for a bright, aromatic finish. Slice the pizza into four servings and serve hot for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can customize this pizza with your favorite vegetables or seasonal produce such as zucchini, spinach, or artichokes.
- For a crispier crust, pre-bake the dough for 5 minutes before adding the toppings.
