Pesto and Three Cheese Pizza is a way to take this dish from the main event to a place alongside others. Pizza is apart of the psyche in so many parts of the world now that it’s eaten at many a meal time. It’s not one of those meals that is just linked with dinner anymore and rightly so. Who doesn’t love their dough flattened and topped with a variety of ingredients and then garnished heavily with cheese?
Well it doesn’t always have to be the main event, it can be made as an appetizer to make guests salivate ahead of something heavier and that is where the inspiration for today’s post comes from. This is simple, ridiculously so and the flavors are a little unconventional as there is no tomato base in sight. And the topping is a dash of chili seeds which add a small bite to the flavors of pesto and cheese.
The beauty of pizza is that it works for anyone – the base can be gluten free. It can be topped with any ingredient (I’ve had a vegan pizza with carrots before and it actually was delicious. Proof that pizza makes anything work). Any and all tastebuds can be satisfied with a topping of the persons choice.
Why you’ll love this
Pesto and cheese = match made in heaven
Herby pesto, minced garlic and melty cheese all go together for a stellar dish!
Perfect for all seasons
This is the kind of pizza that is perfect to serve as a starter and is great for all seasons with pesto and cheese being a great warmer for the colder months or perfect alongside barbecue.
Tips for the best Pesto and Three Cheese Pizza
Using ready made pizza dough: Add the minced garlic before spreading the pesto on top.
Serving suggestion: You could easily serve this on sliced into strips alongside a bolognase or chilli for people to dip into or alongside a large soup for a twist on traditional garlic bread.
More pesto dishes you’ll enjoy
Roasted Carrot and Pumpkin Soup with Parsley Pesto
Grilled Cheese and Pesto Sandwich
Pesto and Three Cheese Pizza
Recipe by Roamingtaste
Serves 6
Ingredients:
Dough
3/4 cup lukewarm water
1 teaspoon instant active yeast
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
1/3 teaspoon salt
1 garlic clove, crushed finely sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
Topping
1/4 cup plain pesto
1 teaspoon chili flakes
2 tablespoons goats or soft cheese
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 cup burrata mozzarella, torn
Directions:
Place the lukewarm water, sugar and yeast in a bowl and allow to dissolve for 5 minutes until bubbling.
Add the flour, salt and garlic in a bowl and mix until well combined and the dough has formed.
Knead on a floured surface until smooth.
Place the olive oil in a bowl and rest the dough for 30 minutes or until risen.
Preheat the oven to 180°C/350F.
Spread the pesto on the pizza base, then sprinkle the grated cheese evenly, crumble the goats cheese and lastly sprinkle the chili flakes over the top and place in the oven for 12 minutes or until golden.
Slice and serve hot.
Pesto and Three Cheese Pizza
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: + rising time 1 hour
- Yield: Serves 6 1x
- Category: Starters, Sides
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This pesto and three cheese pizza is pretty fuss free and could easily be doubled to serve a bigger crowd with the only waiting time for the dough to rise.
Ingredients
Dough
3/4 cup lukewarm water
1 teaspoon instant active yeast
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
1/3 teaspoon salt
1 garlic clove, crushed finely sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
Topping
1/4 cup plain pesto
1 teaspoon chili flakes
2 tablespoons goats or soft cheese
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 cup burrata mozzarella, torn
Instructions
Place the lukewarm water, sugar and yeast in a bowl and allow to dissolve for 5 minutes until bubbling.
Add the flour, salt and garlic in a bowl and mix until well combined and the dough has formed.
Knead on a floured surface until smooth.
Place the olive oil in a bowl and rest the dough for 30 minutes or until risen and doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 180°C/350F.
Spread the pesto on the pizza base, then sprinkle the grated cheese evenly, crumble the goats cheese and lastly sprinkle the chili flakes over the top and place in the oven for 12 minutes or until golden.
Slice and serve hot.
Notes
Recipe by Roamingtaste
