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Home » Pizza » Pesto Pizza Recipe with Cherry Tomatoes

Pesto Pizza Recipe with Cherry Tomatoes

July 18, 2019 , Updated September 17, 2019 Maria 2 Comments

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Cherry tomatoes top this pesto pizza that is on a wooden board.

The classic combination of cherry tomatoes and basil creates a tasty pizza topping for a Pesto Pizza Recipe. An explosion of flavor awaits you in every bite!

A slice of pesto pizza on a wooden board.
Pesto Pizza Recipe

Summer is a great time to take advantage of fresh herbs and produce that are easily available in farmers’ markets. 

The spotlight today is cherry tomatoes and basil.

If you are lucky enough to have a backyard garden, you probably know that one cherry tomato plant can produce dozens and dozens of fruit.

Without a doubt, they are a great addition in any salad. In fact, two of my favorite summer salads are Arugula Cherry Tomato Salad and this Italian Potato Salad (made without any mayonnaise).

These naturally sweet, small round tomatoes also make a great topping for pizza when sauteed with basil pesto.

Let me show you how easy it is to make this wonderful pizza topping!

Ingredients for this Pesto Pizza Recipe:

As usual, the printable recipe card, found at the bottom of the page, has the specific amounts for each ingredient.

  • Pizza Dough. Store bought or homemade.
  • Olive Oil. Use a high quality extra virgin olive oil for best results.
  • Basil Pesto. Homemade or store-bought.
  • Cherry Tomatoes. Garden fresh and sliced in half. Any variety will do.
  • Garlic. A necessary ingredient when making pizza.
  • Oregano. This herb is a must with Italian pizza toppings.
  • Mozzarella Cheese. If possible, grate your own cheese.
  • Grated Cheese. Use either Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese or Pecorino Romano Cheese.
  • Basil Leaves. Fresh. Just a few leaves to garnish our pizza.

A freshly made pizza with cherry tomatoes and pesto, fresh out of the oven.

How to Make this Pesto Pizza Recipe:

The first thing we need to do is preheat the oven to 500 °F (260 °C).

Place the oven rack in the bottom third of the oven. When it’s time to bake the pizza, we will lower the heat to 450 °F (230 °C).

Next comes the pizza dough.

Naturally, I use my family recipe since, in my humble opinion, it is the best homemade pizza dough. Feel free to use whatever dough is convenient for you.

The pizza dough recipe, along with all of the details on How to Make Pizza Dough can be found by simply clicking on the highlighted link.

Since I already have some in my refrigerator, I simply transfer the bowl of pizza dough to the counter. Always leave the dough covered with the plastic film otherwise the surface of the dough will form a crust.

The pizza dough needs to be at room temperature before I can even think about stretching it. This can take a couple of hours, so plan ahead. 

Prepping the Pesto Pizza Ingredients:

While we wait, let’s prepare our cherry tomatoes.

You now have 2 options.

You can either use the procedure for oven roasted tomatoes found in this post for Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce or you can use this stove top method.

Cherry tomatoes being sliced in half on a wooden board.

Place about 4 cups (2 pints) of tomatoes in a colander and give them a good rinse. Blot them dry with a clean tea towel.

Cut them in half and place them in a large bowl.

A big bowl of sliced cherry tomatoes next to smaller bowls containing pesto, olive oil, oregano and chopped garlic.

Next, let’s prep the rest of the ingredients. The recipe requires Traditional Basil Pesto (4 tablespoons), finely chopped garlic (2 tablespoons or about 4 cloves), dried oregano (1 teaspoon) and olive oil (2 tablespoons). Please note you can use either homemade or commercial pesto for this recipe.

Olive oil and chopped garlic being heated in a large pan.

Heat the olive oil (1 tablespoon) in a large pan over medium high heat; add the chopped garlic (2 tablespoons or about 4 cloves) and sauté for about 30 seconds. 

Traditional basil pesto is being added to sauteed garlic in a large pan.

Add the basil pesto (2 tablespoons) and sauté for another 30 seconds or so.Chopped cherry tomatoes being combined with sauteed garlic and pesto sauce.

It’s now time to add the chopped cherry tomatoes (2 pints or 4 cups) and quickly stir to combine.

Oregano is combined with a mixture of cherry tomatoes in a large pan.

Finally, add the dried oregano (½ teaspoon) and saute for a couple of minutes or until the cherry tomatoes begin to soften. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

A cherry tomato topping in a large saucepan for a pesto pizza.

Transfer this pesto pizza sauce to a bowl and allow to cool down to room temperature.

Let’s assemble the Pesto Pizza:

Pizza dough stretched out in a pan.

When the dough is at room temperature, gently pick up the dough and reshape into a ball to evenly redistribute the air bubbles. Rotate and pull the dough towards the bottom of the ball. Cut in half and make 2 balls if making smaller pizzas

Place the ball of dough on a lightly greased bowl and roll the dough in the bowl to lightly coat the entire surface. Cover and allow the dough to rest for 10-15 minutes. This will make stretching the dough a lot easier.

After this wait time, gently transfer the ball of dough to a pizza pan that has been lightly brushed with oil or butter. With lightly oiled fingertips, gently stretch out each of the two pizza balls into a 10-12 inch circle.

For a thin crust pizza, spread toppings and bake immediately. For a thicker crust, allow the dough to rise for about 20-30 minutes. The longer the waiting period, the thicker the pizza crust. Experiment for yourself to suit your personal preferences.

Basil pesto is spread on pizza dough with a pastry brush.

With a pastry brush or the back of a spoon, spread about 1 tablespoon of basil pesto over the surface of each pizza. If making a larger pizza, spread the rest of the basil pesto, that is to say, 2 tablespoons.

Sauteed cherry tomatoes being spread over the basil pesto.

Add the sauteed cherry tomatoes. Make sure they are at room temperature before spreading over the pizza dough.

Parmigiana Reggiano cheese being grated over the top of the pesto pizza before baking.

Spread about ⅓-½ cup of grated mozzarella cheese and 1 tablespoon of Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese or Pecorino Romano Cheese over the top of the sauteed cherry tomatoes.

Reduce the oven temperature to 450°F (230°C) and bake for about 20 minutes or until the bottom crust of the pizza is golden brown.

A pesto pizza freshly baked in a round pizza pan.

The only thing left to do is to top with a little more grated cheese and garnish with torn basil leaves, dried oregano and a drizzle of olive oil. 

Pesto Mozzarella Pizza Tips and Recipe Notes:

  • For a great tasting pizza crust, make and refrigerate the pizza dough at least 3 days before you plan on making your pizza. This is referred to as a cold rise.
  • Always preheat your oven. Make sure the oven stays at 500 °F (260 °C) for about one hour before lowering the oven temperature slightly and baking your pizza. 
  • NEVER use a rolling pin to stretch out the dough as these will break all of the wonderful air pockets that are responsible for a light, airy pizza crust. 
  • For an extra crispy bottom crust, use a pastry brush to spread a thin layer of room temperature butter on the pizza pan.
  • Cherry tomatoes have a high water content. Always sautée or roast before topping your pizza to allow evaporation of excess moisture.

Why do you reduce the oven temperature when baking the pizza?

Every oven is different. This is the oven temperature that works for my particular oven. Experiment and feel free to adjust your own oven temperature in order to get the best homemade pizza.

Can I make this with a different kind of pesto?

Yes, all variations of pesto can be used. Go ahead and create the best pizza toppings combo! 

Pesto Recipes we Love:

  • Garlic Scape Pesto 
  • Parsley Pesto
  • Avocado Pesto Cavatelli Pasta

A tomato basil mozzarella pizza garnished with torn basil leaves.

Origins of the recipe for Pesto Pizza:

During my career as a dietitian, I had the privilege of working with so many dedicated individuals.

The recipe for this wonderful pizza was shared by one of my colleagues, Carlo. He is a professional chef with over 40 years of experience.

If you looking for more easy pizza recipes? Make sure to visit my Pizza page!

Be sure to join us on You Tube where we share how to make tasty pizza recipes from start to finish.

While you are there, subscribe to the channel. We wouldn’t want you to miss out on any delicious Italian recipes.

THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.

Ciao for now,

Maria

★★★★★ If you have made this Basil Pesto Sauce Pizza, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

A tomato basil mozzarella pizza garnished with torn basil leaves.

Pesto Pizza Recipe

The classic combination of cherry tomatoes and basil creates a tasty pizza topping for a Pesto Pizza Recipe. An explosion of flavor awaits you in every bite!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: pesto pizza, pesto pizza recipe, pesto pizza with cherry tomatoes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 484kcal
Author: Maria Vannelli RD

Ingredients

  • 1 ball pizza dough 550 grams
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil separated
  • 4 tablespoons basil pesto separated, homemade or commercial
  • 2 pints cherry tomatoes 4 cups, rinsed and sliced in half
  • 2 tablespoons garlic finely chopped, about 4 cloves
  • 1 teaspoon oregano dried, separated
  • 3-4 ounces mozzarella cheese grated (about 100 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese or Pecorino Romano Cheese grated, separated
  • basil leaves handful

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 500 °F (260 °C).
  • Prep the ingredients, that is to say, slice the cherry tomatoes in half, chop the garlic, grate the mozzarella and Romano cheeses.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium high heat; add the chopped garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds. 
  • Add 2 tablespoons of the basil pesto and sauté for another 30 seconds or so.
  • Add the chopped cherry tomatoes and quickly stir to combine.
  • Saute until the cherry tomatoes begin to soften. Season with ½ teaspoon of oregano, salt and pepper to taste.

  • Transfer mixture to a bowl and allow to cool down to room temperature beofre spreading on the pizza dough.

  • Spread the basil pesto over the surface of the stretched out pizza dough.
  • Add the sauteed, room temperature cherry tomatoes.

  • Spread the grated mozzarella and Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese or Pecorino Romano Cheese over the top of the cherry tomatoes.
  • Reduce the oven temperature to 450° F (230 ° C) and bake for about 20 minutes or until the bottom crust of the pizza is golden brown and the mozzarella cheese is bubbly.
  • Top with a little bit more grated cheese and garnish with torn basil leaves, dried oregano and a drizzle of olive oil. 
Scroll UP for the STEP by STEP PhotosDon't miss the process shots and videos included in most posts. Simply scroll up the post to find them. Those were created especially for you so that you can make the recipe perfectly every single time you try it.

Notes

A step by step photo tutorial can be found in the text. Simply scroll up to find it.
  • Prep time does not include proofing time for the pizza dough. Please plan accordingly.
  • For a great tasting pizza crust, make and refrigerate the pizza dough at least 3 days before you plan on making your pizza. This is referred to as a cold rise.
  • Always preheat your oven. Make sure the oven stays at 500 °F (260 °C) for about one hour before lowering the oven temperature slightly and baking your pizza. 
  • NEVER use a rolling pin to stretch out the dough as these will break all of the wonderful air pockets that are responsible for a light, airy pizza crust. 
  • For an extra crispy bottom crust, use a pastry brush to spread a thin layer of room temperature butter on the pizza pan.
  • Cherry tomatoes have a high water content. Always sautée or roast before topping your pizza to allow evaporation of excess moisture.
Why do you reduce the oven temperature when baking the pizza? Every oven is different. This is the oven temperature that works for my particular oven. Experiment and feel free to adjust your own oven temperature in order to get the best homemade pizza.
Can I make this with a different kind of pesto? Yes, all variations of pesto can be used. Go ahead and create the best pizza toppings combo! 
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 484kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 1037mg | Potassium: 548mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 1605IU | Vitamin C: 55.2mg | Calcium: 199mg | Iron: 4.7mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @shelovesbiscotti or tag #shelovesbiscotti!

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Pizza cherry tomatoes, homemade, italian, mozzarella, pesto, summer, vegetarian

About Maria

Maria Vannelli is a registered dietitian who lives in a suburb just outside Montreal, Canada. She's the founder of the food blog She Loves Biscotti. Maria hopes to inspire you and bring you and your loved ones closer together at meal times enabling you to create some memorable moments.

Comments

  1. Val says

    July 20, 2019 at 19:26

    5 stars
    Cherry tomatoes and basil pesto are two of my favourite toppings! This looks so easy to make! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Maria says

      July 20, 2019 at 19:31

      They really do make a great combination! Hope you get a chance to make this basil pesto pizza. Thanks for taking the time to comment, appreciate it.

      Reply

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About Maria

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Hello and Welcome to She Loves Biscotti!
I'm Maria: dietitian and full time content creator. Join me as I share traditional Italian recipes from my youth, to modern twists on classics using fresh and seasonal ingredients.

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