Best 7 Pesto And Cheese Pizza Recipes

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When it comes to pizza, there are endless possibilities for flavor combinations. But if you're looking for a classic that never disappoints, pesto and cheese pizza is always a great choice. The combination of creamy, flavorful pesto and gooey, melted cheese is irresistible. And with so many different types of pesto and cheese to choose from, you can easily customize this pizza to your liking. Whether you prefer a simple combination of basil pesto and mozzarella cheese or something more complex, like a sun-dried tomato pesto with a blend of cheeses, you're sure to find a pesto and cheese pizza recipe that you love.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

GRILLED FRENCH BREAD PIZZA WITH MUSHROOM PESTO AND FONTINA CHEESE



Grilled French Bread Pizza with Mushroom Pesto and Fontina Cheese image

Provided by Bobby Flay

Categories     appetizer

Time 1h5m

Yield 2 to 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1-ounce dried porcini mushrooms
1 pound cremini or white button mushrooms, stems removed
1/4 cup canola oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Whole head roasted garlic, pulp removed
1/4 cup toasted walnuts
1/4 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano cheese
1 loaf French bread, about 24 inches long, sliced in 1/2 lengthwise
2 1/2 cups grated fontina cheese

Steps:

  • Place the porcini mushrooms in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Let sit until softened, 30 minutes.
  • Heat the grill to high.
  • Brush the cremini or white button mushroom caps with the canola oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the mushrooms on the grill, cap side down and grill until golden brown and slightly charred, 4 to 5 minutes. Turn the caps over and continue grilling until the mushrooms are cooked through, about 5 minutes longer. Remove from the grill, let cool slightly then coarsely chop.
  • Remove the porcinis from the soaking liquid and place in the bowl of a food processor with a few tablespoons of the soaking liquid. Add cremini mushrooms, garlic pulp, walnuts, parsley and thyme in a food processor and process until finely chopped. With the motor running, slowly add 1/2 cup of the olive oil and process until smooth. Add 1/4 cup of the Romano cheese and pulse a few times to incorporate. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Brush the bread on the cut side with the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Evenly spread the pesto over the cut side of each half of bread. Top the pesto with the fontina cheese, return to the grill, cheese side up, close the cover of the grill and cook until the cheese has melted, about 2 minutes. Remove from the grill and sprinkle with the remaining Romano.

GOAT CHEESE, PEAR, AND BACON PIZZA WITH PESTO SAUCE



Goat Cheese, Pear, and Bacon Pizza with Pesto Sauce image

I made this pizza for my family and it was a huge success!

Provided by Oranginaghb

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 25m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 6

5 slices bacon, or more to taste, cut into bite-size pieces
½ Bosc pear, sliced
2 tablespoons basil pesto
1 12-inch pre-baked packaged pizza crust
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
¼ cup crumbled goat cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Cook and stir bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until completely browned, about 10 minutes; remove bacon with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towel to drain.
  • Spread pesto over the pizza crust to cover in a thin layer to within 1/2 inch of the edges. Sprinkle about 1/2 the mozzarella cheese over the pesto. Arrange bacon pieces and pear slices atop the cheese; dot with crumbled goat cheese and top with remaining mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake in preheated oven until the cheese is melted, 9 to 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 161.9 calories, Carbohydrate 11.4 g, Cholesterol 21.9 mg, Fat 8.8 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 9.7 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 376.2 mg, Sugar 1.6 g

PHYLLO PASTRY PIZZA WITH BROCCOLI PESTO, TOMATOES AND GOAT CHEESE



Phyllo Pastry Pizza with Broccoli Pesto, Tomatoes and Goat Cheese image

Provided by Food Network

Number Of Ingredients 17

7 sheets phyllo pastry
Olive oil cooking spray
4 teaspoons freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided
1 tablespoon Broccoli Pesto, recipe follows
1 tomato, peeled, seeded, and chopped
6 imported black olives, chopped
4 large basil leaves cut chiffonade
2 ounces goat cheese, frozen (for easy grating)
1 cup tightly packed fresh basil leaves
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1/2 cup tightly packed broccoli florets
1/2 cup blanched almonds
1/4 cup chicken stock
6 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cut the 7 sheets of phyllo into large circles using the pizza screen as a guide. You can cut all the sheets at the same time. Spray the screen with olive oil cooking spray. Place the first sheet of phyllo onto the screen, spray again lightly, and sprinkle on approximately 1/2 teaspoon of the Parmesan cheese. Place the second sheet on top and repeat the same procedure with the spray and the cheese until you have placed the seventh sheet. Spread the Broccoli Pesto on top, arrange the tomatoes and basil, and grate frozen goat cheese over top. Bake in oven for 3 to 5 minutes. Serve immediately.;
  • Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until you have a smooth paste.

PIZZA WITH PARSLEY PESTO, CREMINI MUSHROOMS, FONTINA AND GOAT CHEESE



Pizza with Parsley Pesto, Cremini Mushrooms, Fontina and Goat Cheese image

Provided by Bobby Flay

Categories     main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 6 pizzas

Number Of Ingredients 27

1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
2 tablespoons pine nuts
8 fresh basil leaves
5 to 6 cloves garlic
1/2 bunch fresh parsley
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 to 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 1/2 to 2 cups sliced cremini mushrooms
1 clove garlic, chopped then mashed into a paste
1 shallot, finely diced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
12 ounces pizza dough, such as Anne Burrell's Pizza Dough, recipe follows
All-purpose flour, for dusting
Olive oil, for brushing dough
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup grated fontina
About 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
About 1/2 cup goat cheese
Crushed red pepper flakes, for topping
Torn fresh basil leaves, for garnish
1 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for coating bowl

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
  • For the parsley pesto: Add the Parmigiano-Reggiano, pine nuts, basil, garlic, parsley and some salt and pepper to a food processor. With the motor running, slowly add about 1/2 cup olive oil and process until smooth. Pulse a few times to incorporate, adding more oil if the mixture is too thick. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
  • For the mushrooms: Heat the canola oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat until almost smoking. Add the mushrooms, garlic and shallots and saute until brown, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove to a plate and reserve.
  • Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
  • For the pizzas: Portion the dough into six golf-ball-size pieces. Dust a work surface with flour and roll each piece of dough into a rectangle (or whatever shape you like). Brush the tops of each piece with oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss on the grill, oil-side down. Cook until the bottoms are an even golden brown, about 3 minutes. (The tops will also start bubbling up with air pockets.) Flip over and grill until golden brown on the other side and just firm, about a minute or so. Remove to a baking sheet.
  • Top the pizzas with the fontina, mushrooms, Parmigiano-Reggiano, dollops of goat cheese, crushed red pepper flakes and salt and pepper. Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted, 3 to 4 minutes. Top with the parsley pesto and garnish with a few more torn basil leaves.
  • In a small bowl, add 1/2 cup warm water (if the water is too hot the yeast will die and if the water is too cold the yeast will not activate). Add the dry yeast and sugar, stir to combine and let sit for 15 minutes. The top of the water will bubble and it will smell very yeasty; this is what you want.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center of the flour and add the olive oil and the yeast/water mixture. Using a fork, gradually stir the flour into the yeast/water mix. Once most of the flour has combined, turn the dough out to a smooth, clean work surface dusted with flour and use your hands to knead the dough to a smooth consistency.
  • Lightly coat the mixing bowl with oil, return the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size, at least 1 hour.
  • When the dough is ready, portion it into six golf-ball-size pieces. (If you're not using the dough right away, wrap each ball individually in plastic and refrigerate until ready to use.) Dust a work surface with flour and roll each piece of dough into a rectangle (or whatever shape you like; I like irregular shapes). Top the pizzas as desired.

PESTO AND CHEESE PIZZA



Pesto and Cheese Pizza image

This is what we call a painless pizza! A favorite for sharing, and even better not to. Make your very own Italian-inspired creation from the comfort of your own home, quick and easy with Bisquick™. The simple ingredients keep this pizza fresh, vibrant and to the point.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 45m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

3 cups Original Bisquick™ mix
2/3 cup very hot water
2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
4 sticks (1 oz each) mozzarella string cheese, cut in half lengthwise
1/3 cup refrigerated basil pesto (from 7-oz container)
1 bag (7 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese with sun-dried tomatoes and basil or plain mozzarella cheese (1 3/4 cups)
1 1/2 cups 1/8-inch strips yellow, red and green bell peppers

Steps:

  • Move oven rack to lowest position. Heat oven to 450°F. Spray 12-inch pizza pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, stir Bisquick mix, water and oil with fork until soft dough forms; beat vigorously 20 strokes. Cover; let stand 8 minutes.
  • Pat or press dough in bottom and 1 inch over side of pizza pan. Place string cheese along edge of dough, overlapping if necessary. Fold 1-inch edge of dough over and around cheese; press to seal.
  • Bake 6 to 7 minutes or until lightly browned around edges.
  • Spread pesto over warm crust. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese; top with bell peppers and remaining 3/4 cup cheese. Bake 11 to 14 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 380, Carbohydrate 30 g, Cholesterol 25 mg, Fat 3, Fiber 1 g, Protein 14 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 930 mg, Sugar 4 g, TransFat 1 g

EGGPLANT, PESTO, AND GOAT-CHEESE PIZZA



Eggplant, Pesto, and Goat-Cheese Pizza image

This Pizza recipe came from Yahoo! Food with some alterations by me. I used a Premade Boboli-style Pizza Crust instead. I also think the pesto would be better spead under the eggplant or maybe even without it at all. I loved the eggplant so much I thought the pesto and cheese overpowered it. See what you think? On the matter of pizza dough and pesto it recommennded store-bought or homemade again - your preference.

Provided by Chef kittiekitsch

Categories     < 60 Mins

Time 38m

Yield 4-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

7 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, as needed
1 -1 1/2 lb eggplant, cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 lb pizza dough
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
6 ounces mild goat cheese, such as Montrachet, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup pesto sauce

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 450 degrees F.
  • In a large nonstick frying pan, heat 2 1/2 tablespoons of the oil over moderately high heat.
  • Season the eggplant with the salt.
  • Fry one-third of the eggplant, turning, until golden, about 10 minutes. Remove.
  • Repeat in two more batches with the remaining oil, using more if needed, and the eggplant.
  • Meanwhile, oil a 14-inch pizza pan or large baking sheet.
  • Press the pizza dough onto the pan in an approximately 14-inch round or 9-by-13-inch rectangle.
  • Arrange the eggplant slices on the pizza crust.
  • Sprinkle the garlic and pepper over the top.
  • Bake for 12 minutes.
  • Put the slices of goat cheese on the pizza.
  • Sprinkle with the Parmesan, and then dot with the pesto.
  • Bake until the cheese begins to turn golden, about 15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 463.7, Fat 41.8, SaturatedFat 14.5, Cholesterol 44.6, Sodium 849.4, Carbohydrate 9, Fiber 4, Sugar 3.9, Protein 15.3

SHRIMP AND PESTO PIZZA WITH GOAT CHEESE RECIPE - (4.7/5)



Shrimp and Pesto Pizza with Goat Cheese Recipe - (4.7/5) image

Provided by MissAlyssaG

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 lb shrimp
garlic
herbs of choice (im gonna start with basil)
pizza dough
pesto
mozzarella cheese (shredded)
goat cheese (crumbled)

Steps:

  • I started by sprinkling the shrimp with some garlic and herb seasoning, and just lightly sauteed it, about 30 seconds on each side. You don't want to cook it all the way through because its going to go into the oven. Then I rolled out my pizza dough--I use the pre-made garlic and herb pizza dough from Trader Joe's. I spread some prepared pesto onto the dough, spread the shrimp across it, sprinkled it with mozzarella and spooned some scoops of goat cheese on top and baked it for about 20 minutes at 400 degrees, until the cheese starts to brown on the edges. And voila, cheesy, pestoy goodness.

Tips and Conclusion

To craft a delectable pesto and cheese pizza, it's crucial to select fresh ingredients. Use high-quality mozzarella and Parmesan, and make sure your pesto is homemade or made with all-natural ingredients. Fresh basil leaves add an extra layer of flavor; if you don't have access to fresh basil, you can substitute dried basil, but the fresh leaves provide a more vibrant taste. For a crispier crust, preheat your oven to a high temperature, typically around 450°F (230°C). This will create a golden-brown and crispy outer layer. Additionally, use a pizza stone or baking sheet for an even cook. Spread the pesto evenly over the pizza dough, leaving a slight border. This will prevent the pesto from overwhelming the other flavors. When adding the cheese, use a combination of mozzarella and Parmesan for a gooey, stretchy texture and a nutty, salty flavor. Before baking the pizza, top it with fresh basil leaves. These leaves will wilt slightly in the oven, releasing their aromatic oils and adding a burst of freshness. Experiment with different toppings to create your perfect pizza. Some popular options include thinly sliced tomatoes, roasted red peppers, sautéed mushrooms, or grilled chicken. Keep an eye on the pizza while it bakes, as it can quickly go from perfectly cooked to overcooked. Once the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly, remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. To enhance the flavor even further, drizzle some extra pesto over the pizza after it has been sliced. This will add an extra layer of depth and richness. You can also serve the pizza with a side of marinara sauce for those who prefer a more traditional pizza experience. By following these tips, you can create a delicious and flavorful pesto and cheese pizza that will impress your family and friends. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will leave your taste buds dancing.

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