Frederic Melton
Pesto pizza is a delicious and easy-to-make meal, and the perfect summer pizza. It can be made with store-bought or homemade dough, pesto, and cheese. The type of cheese used on pesto pizza is a matter of personal preference. While some recipes call for mozzarella, others suggest goat cheese, Parmesan, or even a combination of cheeses. Some people also like to add extra cheese after baking the pizza, such as freshly grated pecorino or Parmesan cheese. The key to a good pesto pizza is to spread a generous layer of pesto before baking and top it with even more pesto when the pizza comes out of the oven.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Mozzarella, Goat Cheese, Parmesan, Pecorino, Ricotta, Gorgonzola |
| Fresh or Pre-Shredded Cheese | Fresh mozzarella is preferred, but pre-shredded is also an option |
| Other Toppings | Tomatoes, Spinach, Mushrooms, Bell Peppers, Chicken, Basil, Pine Nuts, Pepperoni, Red Onions, Zucchini, Broccoli, Corn, Shaved Red Onion, Cherry Tomatoes, Garlic, Salami, Pancetta, Balsamic Vinegar, Supressata, Alfredo Sauce, White Sauce, Pesto, Chicken, Purple Onions, Green Pepper, Butternut Squash, Ranch Dressing |
| Salt and Pepper | A light sprinkle of salt and pepper is recommended |
| Red Pepper Flakes | Optional topping |
| Type of Dough | Store-bought or homemade dough can be used |
| Baking Instructions | Bake for 14-15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown |
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What You'll Learn
Mozzarella is the prime pizza cheese
Mozzarella is widely regarded as the prime cheese for pizzas. Its unique cooking and stretching process, called pasta filata, gives it a stringy and stretchy quality that is highly desirable for pizzas. This melty, stretchy quality is achieved due to the cheese's drying during the ageing process, which releases its moisture when baked, resulting in a luscious, creamy texture. The mild, milky taste of mozzarella also makes it a perfect choice as it harmonises well with other ingredients such as the base sauce, pizza toppings, or other blended cheeses.
Mozzarella is often referred to as the "glue" that holds a pizza together. Its meltability helps in binding the toppings to the base, ensuring that each bite is loaded with cheesy goodness. The visual appeal of a well-melted pizza with golden blistering and good coverage is also important for consumers.
While fresh mozzarella is soft and creamy, often used in classic pizzas like Margherita, low-moisture mozzarella provides a firmer texture. The type of mozzarella used can vary depending on the specific pizza recipe and the desired texture.
The versatility of mozzarella, along with its delicious taste, sets it apart from other cheeses. Its ability to stretch and melt beautifully, creating that perfect cheese pull, makes it the prime choice for pizza-making.
In the context of a pesto pizza, mozzarella pairs exceptionally well with the garlicky pesto, enhancing the overall flavour profile. The combination of mozzarella and pesto, along with various toppings, creates a delicious and visually appealing pizza that satisfies both the taste buds and the eyes.
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Pesto pizza can be made vegan
Pesto pizza is a delicious and easy-to-make meal that can be adapted to suit various dietary requirements, including veganism. While many pesto pizzas include cheese, it is not a necessary ingredient, and there are several vegan alternatives that can be used instead.
Traditionally, pesto pizza is made with a combination of pesto, cheese, and various other toppings. The pesto provides a bold and flavorful base, while the cheese adds a creamy texture and savory taste. However, for vegans or those avoiding dairy, cheese is not a requirement, and there are other options to consider.
To make a vegan pesto pizza, start by preparing your pizza dough. You can make your own dough using flour, yeast, olive oil, water, and salt, or you can opt for a store-bought pizza dough to save time. Once you have your dough, the key to making it vegan is in the choice of toppings.
Instead of using dairy cheese, you can create a delicious vegan pesto pizza by substituting with vegan cheese alternatives. There are several vegan cheese options available, such as vegan mozzarella or cashew cream, which can be drizzled over the pizza after baking. You can even find vegan Parmesan sprinkles to add an extra savory, cheesy flavor.
In addition to the cheese alternative, you can also get creative with other vegan-friendly toppings. Cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, mushrooms, and spinach are all great choices to pair with the pesto base. If you're looking for something heartier, you can add grilled veggies like peppers, red onions, zucchini, or even dollops of vegan ricotta cheese. So, whether you're a vegan or just looking for a dairy-free option, pesto pizza can be easily adapted to suit your needs and preferences.
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Use homemade or store-bought pesto
Homemade pesto is a great option for pesto pizza, and it's easy to make. You can use a food processor or blender to make it in less than 10 minutes with a handful of simple ingredients. Fresh basil is the base of your pesto, and you can add pine nuts, walnuts, almonds, or pistachios. Parmesan cheese is also a great addition to pesto as it adds a bit of saltiness and helps the pesto stick together. For a vegan option, skip the Parmesan and try a drizzle of cashew cream instead. You can also add olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.
If you're short on time or ingredients, store-bought pesto is a convenient alternative. Look for a quality jarred pesto, or if you're really pressed for time, you can even use a pre-made pizza base that already has pesto on it. Just be sure to let the store-bought dough sit at room temperature for an hour before stretching it out. You can also make a double batch of pesto and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, so you always have some on hand.
Whether you choose to make your own pesto or buy it pre-made, the key is to find a flavour that you enjoy. Pesto is a versatile sauce that can be adapted to your taste preferences and the ingredients you have on hand. So, feel free to experiment and find the perfect pesto for your pizza!
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Add extra cheese after baking
Pesto pizza is a delicious and easy-to-make meal that can be personalised with a variety of toppings. While the most popular cheese to use on a pesto pizza is mozzarella, you can also add extra cheese after baking for an even cheesier treat.
Mozzarella is the prime pizza cheese and tastes great with the garlicky pesto. You can use fresh mozzarella, or pre-shredded for convenience. However, feel free to use your favourite shredded cheese instead of, or in addition to, mozzarella. You can also use thick slices of fresh mozzarella instead of shredded.
If you want to add extra cheese after baking, there are a few options to choose from. Firstly, you can shower your pesto pizza with freshly grated pecorino or Parmesan cheese. You could also sprinkle vegan Parmesan over the pizza for a savoury, cheesy flavour. If you're feeling adventurous, try goat cheese or ricotta for a unique twist.
So, if you're looking to add some extra cheese to your pesto pizza, there are plenty of options to choose from. Get creative and experiment with different cheeses to find your favourite combination!
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Other toppings to include
Pesto pizza can be easily personalised with a variety of toppings. While mozzarella is the prime pizza cheese, you can also experiment with other cheeses like goat cheese, shaved parmesan, pecorino, ricotta, or even vegan parmesan.
For the toppings, you can add cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, sweet peppers, mushrooms, spinach, kale, pepperoni, or grilled veggies like peppers, red onions, zucchini, and corn. If you're in the mood for chicken pesto pizza, you can add shredded chicken or chicken breast. You can also add other meats like salami, prosciutto, or bacon bits.
For an extra kick of flavour, you can sprinkle red pepper flakes, pine nuts, salt, and pepper on top. If you want to get creative, you can even drizzle pesto, cashew cream, or a garlic butter or balsamic vinegar glaze on top of your pesto pizza.
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Frequently asked questions
Most pesto pizza recipes include cheese, usually mozzarella, but some recipes suggest adding parmesan, pecorino, or goat cheese. You can also use your favourite shredded cheese instead of or in addition to mozzarella.
Pesto pizza is often topped with tomatoes, but you could also add cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted red peppers. Other toppings include mushrooms, spinach, kale, pepperoni, chicken, and pine nuts.
Some sources suggest that you should not cook pesto as pizza needs to be cooked at a very high temperature. Instead, spread the pesto on the pizza as soon as it comes out of the oven to get a fresh pesto flavour.
