The Perfect Cheese For Pesto Pizza: A Guide

Pesto pizza is a delicious alternative to traditional cheese and tomato pizza. While basil pesto is the traditional choice, any type of pesto can be used as a base, and it can be paired with a variety of toppings. The type of cheese used on a pesto pizza is important as it needs to be able to stand up to the bold flavour of pesto. Creamy cheeses like burrata, goat cheese, mozzarella, feta, and parmesan are popular choices.

Mozzarella, feta, and Parmesan

Mozzarella is a classic pizza cheese, and for good reason: it has a mild, creamy flavour and a springy, stringy texture that is perfect for melting. When paired with pesto, mozzarella provides a nice, subtle contrast to the bold flavours of basil, garlic, and olive oil.

Feta is a Greek cheese that is tangy, salty, and often quite sharp. It is a versatile cheese that can be crumbled, cubed, or melted, making it a great choice for pizza toppings. Feta's strong flavour can stand up to the robust taste of pesto, and its tendency to brown nicely in the oven adds a nice textural contrast to the other toppings.

Parmesan is another classic Italian cheese that works well on pizzas. It has a sharp, nutty flavour and a hard, dry texture that can be grated or shredded. Parmesan is often used in pesto itself, so it is a natural pairing for a pesto pizza. Its strong flavour means a little goes a long way, and it can add a nice salty kick to the overall profile of the pizza.

When combined, these three cheeses create a delicious symphony of flavours and textures that will elevate your pesto pizza to the next level. The creamy, mild mozzarella balances the sharp, salty flavours of the feta and Parmesan, while the meltability of the mozzarella and Parmesan provides a nice contrast to the crumbliness of the feta.

In addition to these three cheeses, there are a few other options that could work well on a pesto pizza. Goat cheese, burrata, and fresh mozzarella are all creamy cheeses that would pair nicely with pesto. For a more pungent option, you could try adding some blue cheese or Gorgonzola. And, of course, you could always stick with the classic pizza cheese, good old mozzarella!

Burrata and goat's cheese

One pesto pizza recipe recommends topping the pizza with fresh burrata as soon as it comes out of the oven, allowing the cheese to warm through for about five minutes. The recipe also includes a spice mix of oregano, sesame seeds, lemon zest, cumin, salt, and pepper, which is sprinkled on the dough before baking.

Another recipe recommends topping the pizza with "freshly ripped balls of burrata cheese" as soon as it comes out of the oven, along with crushed red pepper flakes, fresh arugula, basil leaves, and extra pesto.

Goat's cheese is also a good choice for a pesto pizza, as it has a creamy texture that pairs well with the pesto.

Cream cheese

Ingredients:

• 8 oz soft cream cheese
• 4 oz mozzarella, shredded
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup pesto
• 12-inch pre-baked crust
• 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped and blanched
• 1 large tomato, diced
• 1/2 red onion, chopped
• 1/2 tsp Tuscan Sun spice blend
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Method:

First, brush the olive oil on the bottom of the crust (the side that will be grilled). Then, brush the pesto on the top of the crust (the side that will receive the toppings). Grill the crust on a medium-high heat grill for about 60 seconds on each side to create grill marks.

Remove the crust from the grill and add the toppings. Start with small spoonfuls of cream cheese, then add the spinach, tomatoes, and onions. Finish with the shredded mozzarella cheese and spice blend. Return the pizza to the grill, close the lid, and cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until the mozzarella is melted.

Finally, sprinkle the Parmesan cheese on top, add a drizzle of pesto, and serve. This recipe is fast, easy, tasty, and healthy. It is also very versatile and can be adapted to include other ingredients such as artichoke hearts, mushrooms, or pepperoni.

Feta and mozzarella

For a simple pesto pizza, you'll need a pizza crust, pesto, feta, and mozzarella. You can use a homemade pizza dough or a store-bought dough or pre-baked pizza base. If you're making your own dough, a no-knead dough is a great option, and it will give your pizza a lovely light and crispy texture.

When it comes to the pesto, you can make your own or use a store-bought variety. A basil pesto is traditional, but you can experiment with other types of pesto as well. For the feta, you can use crumbled feta or a block of feta that you crumble yourself. As for the mozzarella, whole-milk mozzarella in water is a good option, but you can also use shredded firm mozzarella or fresh mozzarella. Just be aware that pre-shredded cheese often contains additives that can affect how well it melts.

To assemble your pizza, start by preheating your oven. If you're using a pizza stone, be sure to preheat that as well. Then, stretch your dough into a circle or a rectangle and place it on a pizza pan, a baking sheet, or a pizza peel lined with parchment paper. Spread the pesto over the dough, and then sprinkle on your cheeses. You can add other toppings at this point as well, such as fresh or sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, artichokes, or olives.

Bake your pizza until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is golden brown. This should take around 8 to 15 minutes, depending on your oven. Enjoy your homemade pesto pizza!

Parmesan and mozzarella

Mozzarella is a classic pizza cheese, and its mild flavour and creamy texture make it a perfect pairing with pesto. It is a soft, white cheese that melts easily and has a subtle tang. When paired with pesto, mozzarella adds a creamy texture and a savoury note that enhances the overall flavour of the pizza.

Parmesan, or Parmigiano-Reggiano, is a hard, aged cheese with a strong, nutty flavour. It is often grated or shredded and used as a topping or garnish. Parmesan is a key ingredient in traditional basil pesto, and adding it to a pesto pizza further accentuates the pesto's flavour. Its sharp, salty taste provides a nice contrast to the creamy mozzarella and the freshness of the pesto.

When using these two cheeses on a pesto pizza, it is essential to ensure that the pizza base is not too thin, as the moisture from the pesto and cheeses can make the base soggy. A thicker, chewier base will hold up better to the toppings. Additionally, it is recommended to bake the pizza on a lower rack in the oven to allow the crust to crisp up before adding the cheese and other toppings.

For a well-rounded flavour profile, pair the Parmesan and mozzarella with complementary toppings such as fresh tomatoes, basil, artichoke hearts, or mushrooms. The key to a delicious pesto pizza is to find a balance between the bold flavours of the pesto and the other ingredients.

Frequently asked questions