Description
A vibrant Veggie Garden Pesto Pizza featuring a crispy crust topped with fresh pesto sauce, melted mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, sweet corn, and a peppery arugula finish. Perfect for a quick, flavorful meal ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Base
- 1 pizza crust (homemade or store-bought)
Sauce and Cheese
- 4 tablespoons pesto sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 6 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese (pre-sliced recommended)
Toppings
- 2 medium heirloom tomatoes, sliced
- 1 cob fresh sweet corn, kernels removed
- 1 ounce fresh arugula (about a cup)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and pizza stone: Preheat your oven and pizza stone to 500°F (260°C) to ensure a hot surface for baking the pizza, which helps achieve a crispy crust.
- Roll out the dough: Shape your pizza dough into a 12-inch round on a lightly floured surface.
- Pre-bake crust (optional): Place the rolled-out crust directly on the hot pizza stone and bake for 3-4 minutes. This step helps create a firmer, crispier crust and prevents sogginess from moist toppings. Remove the crust from the oven once done.
- Assemble pizza: Spread 4 tablespoons of pesto sauce evenly over the pre-baked crust. Layer on the mozzarella cheese slices, arrange the heirloom tomato slices, and scatter fresh corn kernels across the pizza.
- Bake pizza: Return the assembled pizza to the oven and bake for 11-13 minutes or until the cheese melts completely and the crust turns golden brown around the edges.
- Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven, top it with fresh arugula for a fresh, slightly peppery finish, slice, and serve immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Pre-baking the crust is optional but highly recommended for a crispier base that resists sogginess from toppings.
- Using a pizza stone helps to evenly distribute heat and produces a better crust texture.
- You can substitute fresh pesto with store-bought versions for convenience without sacrificing much flavor.
- Feel free to add other fresh vegetables or swap the mozzarella for a vegan cheese to accommodate dietary preferences.
- Ensure the oven is fully preheated before baking to achieve the best crust rise and texture.
