My kids will eat pizza 7 days a week if I let them. I admit that it’s super convenient to have Domino’s deliver when I don’t feel like cooking (and they have those garlic breadsticks that make me drool just thinking about them!), but it’s definitely not a healthy choice. So when my kids get that hankerin’ for pizza, I whip out some pesto and fresh veggies and make a tomato pesto pizza. It only calls for 5 ingredients, and if I use a ready-made dough, I can have it in my little rascals’ mouths in 30 minutes or less. Plus, I can make the whole thing for less than ten bucks!
First, heat your oven to 425 degrees.
Second, roll out your pizza dough onto a pizza pan. You can easily use premade dough from the store, but if you’re like me and you prefer the homemade crust taste, there is a foolproof recipe for pizza dough here. Grab a jar of pesto and use a spoon to spread it generously all over the pizza dough. Leave a little bit of space around the corners so that it doesn’t spill out all over your pizza pan. I use a pizza stone that can be used in both baking and grilling. I like it because it heats the dough evenly throughout the cooking process.
Generously sprinkle on some mozzarella cheese. You’ll want at least a cup or more.
Now, spread 12 leaves of fresh basil evenly across the cheese.
Cut and dice a juicy tomato and sprinkle that on top too.
Now bake the tomato pesto pizza for 15-20 minutes at 425 degrees or until the edges and cheese are nicely browned. If you are using premade dough, follow the instructions on the can.
This pesto pizza is bursting with fresh flavor! I love the creamy pesto mixed with the salty crunch from the crust. Let me just warn you that it will disappear quickly! My 6 year old goes to town on this pesto pizza. He eats more than I do! And guess what? He doesn’t even realize it’s mostly veggies and herbs!
This is a great meal to lay out for hungry teenagers, a casual party, or game night. I make it a lot when I’m wanting to go meatless for a night or need to reign in on the budget. Even if you purchase pizza dough, this entire dinner only costs about $8. For a meatier pizza, I make BBQ Chicken Pizza with the same homemade dough. If I have Pillsbury cans to use up, I make Mozzarella and Pepperoni Pinwheels that my kids absolutely drool over! These are all tasty, no-brainer meals that should make cooking weeknight dinners a lot less chaotic. For even more ideas, visit my Recipe Index or follow me on Pinterest! Happy cooking y’all!
5 Ingredient Tomato Pesto Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 uncooked pizza dough store bought or homemade
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1 cup or more shredded mozzarella cheese
- 12 large basil leaves
- 1 large diced tomato
Instructions
- Heat oven to 425 degrees.
- Roll out dough onto pizza pan or stone.
- Smear pesto all over the dough, leaving about 1/2 inch space around the edges.
- Sprinkle the cheese over the pesto.
- Evenly distribute the basil leaves across the cheese.
- Sprinkle the tomato on the top.
- Bake at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until the edges of the dough are browned.
- Serve immediately.
Notes