Mediterranean Pesto Pizza
This Mediterranean Pesto Pizza features a flavorful pesto base, topped with mozzarella and feta cheeses, Kalamata olives, and sun-dried tomatoes, all baked to golden perfection on a crispy crust.
Equipment
- Oven
- Pizza Stone or Steel
- Pizza Peel
Ingredients
Pizza Dough
- 1 pound Pizza Dough store-bought or homemade
Pesto
- 1/2 cup Pesto homemade or good quality store-bought
Cheese
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese shredded (low-moisture, part-skim works best for melting)
- 1/2 cup Feta Cheese crumbled
Toppings
- 1/4 cup Kalamata Olives halved
- 1/4 cup Sun-dried Tomatoes packed in oil, drained and chopped
Other
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil for brushing crust, if desired
- Fresh Basil Leaves for garnish (optional)
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat Oven & Prep Dough
- Preheat your oven to its highest setting (usually 450-500°F or 230-260°C) and place a pizza stone or steel in the oven while it preheats. On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll out your pizza dough to your desired thickness for the crust.
- Carefully transfer the dough to parchment paper or a cornmeal-dusted pizza peel, and brush the edges with a little olive oil for a crispier crust.
Assemble the Pizza
- Evenly spread a thin layer of pesto over the pizza dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border for the crust. Don't overdo the pesto to allow other flavors to shine through.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the pesto, then scatter crumbled feta cheese, halved Kalamata olives, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes; season lightly with salt and pepper.
Bake & Serve
- Carefully transfer the pizza to the preheated oven, either directly onto the hot pizza stone/steel or onto a baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven, let it cool for 1-2 minutes before slicing, and garnish with fresh basil leaves (if desired) before serving immediately.
Notes
For an extra flavorful crust, consider using a good quality olive oil for brushing. If you don't have a pizza stone or steel, a preheated baking sheet works well. Adjust baking time based on your oven and desired crispness. You can easily customize this pizza with other Mediterranean-inspired toppings like artichoke hearts or roasted red peppers.