Basil Pizza is essentially a “green” pizza that bursts with the wonderful, fresh flavor of basil — with both pesto and whole leaves throughout. This unique pizza can stand on its own as a meal, and is also fantastic to serve with a side salad.
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While there’s an abundance of basil in the summertime, we’re fortunate that we can typically find good basil year round.
There’s often basil in pizza recipes, but this basil pizza is quite different.
What makes this Basil Pizza unique?
Without tomato sauce or typical toppings, this pizza is far from traditional.
The “sauce” on this pizza is pesto that’s made with basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, olive oil, a touch of lemon and tomato paste.
In addition to the pesto, the pizza is baked with whole basil leaves which crisp to perfection in the oven. Then, once baked, more basil leaves are added. So we have basil three ways: in the pesto, crisped, and fresh.
This combination of textures, along with the flavors, puts this basil pizza over the top.
What pizza crust should you use?
You should use your favorite crust for this basil pizza.
You can make your own (this recipe is excellent), use a pre-baked crust, or use pre-made dough (I especially like the Trader Joe’s dough). Whatever you go with, you will want enough to make two (approximately 12-inch) crusts.
You can also use gluten-free pizza crust (I make this one and love it), or a cauliflower crust. Just be aware that cauliflower crusts are typically softer and you might need a fork and knife to eat the pizza.
Recipe Tips and Substitutions
- If you have a pizza stone, use it. If not, you can use a sheet pan. To do so, preheat it, just as you would the stone.
- Feel free to add more toppings. (Suggestions are below.)
- Whether you’re using a homemade pizza dough, store-bought dough, or pre-baked pizza crusts (see above suggestions), they should be ready to go when you begin the recipe.
- The baking times might vary, depending on the pizza dough/crust you’re using.
Suggested additions for basil pizza:
- roasted red peppers – The subtle sweet and smoky flavors of the peppers would be fantastic and the red color will pop.
- fresh tomato slices – Adding fresh tomato slices after the pizza is baked is pretty and adds a wonderful contrasting texture.
- caramelized onions – You just can’t go wrong here. Sweet caramelized onions tend to add well to almost everything!
- grilled chicken or ground turkey – Adding poultry will make this an even heartier meal.
- goat cheese – In combination with the other cheeses (Parmesan and Mozzarella), the goat cheese adds a soft, slightly tart flavor that blends in perfectly.
I hope you love basil pizza as much as I do!
Enjoy!
More recipes with fresh basil:
- Cauliflower Basil Soup
- Cold Cucumber Basil Soup
- Baked Basil Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet Basil Cheesecake
- Lemon Basil Salad Dressing
Basil Pizza is essentially a “green” pizza that bursts with the wonderful, fresh flavor of basil — with both pesto and whole leaves throughout. This unique pizza can stand on its own as a meal, and is also fantastic to serve with a side salad.
*Whether you're using a homemade pizza dough, or pre-baked pizza crusts, they should be ready to go when you begin the recipe.
- 4 ounces (approx. 4 loosely packed cups) basil leaves, washed and dried
- ⅓ cup pine nuts, toasted
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 teaspoons garlic, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- pinch granulated sugar
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1½ pounds raw pizza dough -- OR, 2 (approx. 12-inch) pre-baked pizza crusts
- 1½ cups mozzarella cheese, grated
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1¼ ounces (approx. 1 ¼ loosely packed cup) basil leaves, washed and dried
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted (for garnish, if desired)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- red chili flakes (if desired)
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Preheat the oven and stone/sheet pan. Preheat the oven to 500°F, with a pizza stone on center rack. If you don't have a pizza stone, place a sheet pan on the rack a few minutes before you assemble the pizzas.
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Make the pesto. Add the basil, pine nuts, Parmesan and garlic to a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Blend until the basil is in tiny pieces. Then add the tomato paste, lemon juice, olive oil and pinch of sugar, and blend until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Here's How to Season to Taste.)
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Prepare the pizza crust. Either shape your pizza dough into approximately 12-inch rounds, or set out your pre-baked approximately 12-inch rounds, on a lightly floured work surface.
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Assemble the pizzas. Evenly divide the pesto among the two crusts, spreading it thinly. Then sprinkle each with equal amounts of the grated Mozzarella. Now divide the red onion slices between the two, and about half of the basil leaves.
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Bake. Transfer the pizzas to the stone or baking sheet and drizzle about ½ tablespoon of the olive oil along the edges of the crusts. Place in the preheated 500°F oven, and bake until the crust is golden along the edges, about 10 minutes.
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Garnish, cut and serve. Once out of the oven, add the remaining fresh basil leaves to the pizzas, and the pine nuts and chili flakes (if desired). Then drizzle with the remaining olive oil, slice and serve.
Calorie count is only an estimate.
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Christina C. says
Great way to change up the normal pizza, Valentina! Fresh basil is my very favorite herb! SO fresh and always smells of summer!
valentina says
Thank you, my friend! FYI, I suggested your mom’s favorite pizza dough? Awesome recipe! 🙂 ~Valentina
angiesrecipes says
I actually love pesto more than the tomato based pizza. This looks fantastic loaded with fresh basils.
angiesrecipes
valentina says
Me too! Thanks, Angie. Have a great weekend. 🙂 ~Valentina
2pots2cook says
Oh my goodness me ! Absolutely amazing one ! What a collection of ingredients !
valentina says
Thanks, Davorka. Enjoy and happy weekend! 🙂 ~Valentina
mimi rippee says
This is fabulous. There’s always room for pesto and more basil! And pine nuts!
valentina says
I totally agree. Thanks, Mimi! 🙂 ~Valentina
Eha says
Shall have to try this whilst my basil pots are still flourishing outdoors. In my part of Australia there is a definite 4-5 months gap in its growing pattern. Find this offering interesting as love pesto and basil on its own . . . want to see whether its three-fold use here makes the flavour too pronounced for my palate . . . may omit the crisped section. Tomato paste in my pesto will also be a new addition . . . shall try . . .
valentina says
Thanks, Eha. The tomato paste adds a lovely subtle richness and sweetness. I hope you love it. And lucky you to have it flourishing! 🙂 ~Valentina
Marissa says
This pizza looks divine, Valentina! Putting it on the menu for our next pizza night!
valentina says
Enjoy! Thanks, Marissa. 🙂 ~Valentina
David Scott Allen says
What a delicious combination. Love how you added tomato paste to the pesto. I need to work on my pizza game…
valentina says
Thanks, David. I think your food game overall is fantastic, and pizza will be/is no different. 🙂 ~Valentina
sippitysup says
I just had a similar pizza at L’Antica in Hollywood. I bet yours is better because it has pine nuts. GREG
David @ Spiced says
Everything about this recipe is calling my name, Valentina! For starters, I love pizza – all kinds. 🙂 Second, the photo of basil is making me excited for summer – I can’t wait to get a big pot of basil growing on the back deck. Then this pizza will become a staple! We have an outdoor pizza oven, and I’m always looking for fun ways to mix up pizza night – I just found one!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I do love basil and, of course, pizza so I know this would be a hit in our home! So much better than delivery too. Wish I could reach out and grab a slice (or the whole pie)!!