Description
A swift yet vibrant Italian-inspired pizza topped with pesto, fresh mozzarella, and cherry tomatoes. Perfect for weeknights or gatherings, with a chewy crust and customizable toppings for any family or occasion.
Ingredients
Pizza Dough (1 lb), Tomato Variety (1 cup, cherry/Roma), Mozzarella (8 oz, shredded), Pesto (1/2 cup), Drizzle (2 tbsp olive oil), Cornmeal (for baking surface)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C) with convection if available
Coat pizza peel or baking sheet with cornmeal
On a floured surface, stretch dough to 12-inch round
Brush crust edges with 1 tbsp olive oil
Spread pesto evenly over dough
Layer shredded mozzarella then fresh tomatoes
Transfer to oven (using peel if possible)
Rotate pizza 180° at 8 minutes
Bake 12–15 minutes total, watching for golden brown crust before peak browning
Notes
Proof dough at room temperature 30 minutes for better stretch
Use garlic-infused olive oil on crust for extra flavor
Customize with toppings like olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or grilled zucchini
Cornmeal prevents sticking and adds rustic texture
30% faster than traditional margherita pizza
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg