Roasted Garlic Pesto Pizza Recipe

When I first tasted a Roasted Garlic Pesto Pizza Recipe during my travels through Liguria, Italy, the birthplace of pesto, I was instantly captivated. The air was fragrant with basil, olive oil, and roasted garlic drifting from tiny seaside trattorias. 

This recipe captures that same authentic Italian charm right in your own kitchen. With golden roasted garlic, fresh basil, and a crispy homemade crust, it’s a bite of coastal Italy that feels both rustic and refined, simple, flavorful, and unforgettable.

Ingredients

Here are the key ingredients that come together to create this amazing pizza. Using fresh, quality components will give you the best results.

• 3-4 ounces whole garlic cloves, peeled – Roasting the garlic first mellows its sharp bite, leaving you with a sweet, nutty flavor that makes the pesto special.
• Olive oil – You’ll use this to roast the garlic and to create a smooth, rich consistency in your pesto. A good quality extra-virgin olive oil works best.
• 4-6 ounces fresh basil leaves – This is the heart of your pesto. Make sure to use fresh, vibrant basil, not dried, for that classic, aromatic flavor.
• 1/3 cup toasted pine nuts – Toasting the pine nuts brings out their buttery flavor and adds a lovely texture to the pesto.
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese – For the best melt and flavor, grate your own Parmesan cheese. It makes a noticeable difference compared to pre-shredded types.
• 1 prepared pizza dough – A store-bought dough ball is a great time-saver, or you can use your favorite homemade recipe.
• 1-1.5 cups grated low-moisture mozzarella – Using low-moisture mozzarella is key to avoiding a soggy pizza. Grate it yourself for a superior melt.
• Kosher salt – To season the garlic and the final pesto to taste.

Note: This recipe makes enough for one 12-inch pizza, serving 2-4 people.

Variations

This pizza is fantastic as is, but it’s also easy to customize with different toppings and flavors.

• Add Protein: Cooked, shredded chicken or crumbled Italian sausage would be delicious additions. Add them on top of the cheese before baking.
• More Veggies: Sliced cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, or artichoke hearts complement the pesto flavor wonderfully.
• Dairy-Free: To make this pizza dairy-free, use a high-quality vegan mozzarella and substitute the Parmesan in the pesto with nutritional yeast.
• Nut-Free Pesto: If you have a nut allergy, you can substitute the pine nuts with sunflower seeds or simply leave them out.

Cooking Time

This delicious homemade pizza comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for a weeknight treat.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes

Equipment You Need

You only need a few key pieces of equipment to make this recipe a success.

• Sheet tray: This is used for roasting the garlic cloves evenly in the oven.
• Food processor: Essential for blending the basil, roasted garlic, and other ingredients into a smooth, creamy pesto.
• Pizza stone or steel: Helps create a crispy, perfectly cooked crust by retaining and distributing high heat.
• Pizza peel: Makes it easy to slide your assembled pizza onto the hot stone and remove it once baked.

How to Make Roasted Garlic Pesto Pizza Recipe?

Creating this pizza is a simple and enjoyable process. It starts with roasting the garlic to unlock its sweet flavor, then blending a fresh pesto, and finally assembling and baking your delicious creation. The result is a gourmet pizza experience right from your own oven. Follow these steps for a perfect pizza every time.

Roast the Garlic

First, preheat your oven to 375°F. Spread the peeled garlic cloves on a sheet tray, drizzle them with a bit of olive oil, and sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt. Roast for about 15 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the cloves are soft, fragrant, and lightly browned. Let them cool slightly. Once the garlic is done, increase the oven temperature to 450°F and place your pizza stone or steel inside to heat up.

Prepare the Pesto

To make the pesto, combine the fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, and the roasted garlic cloves in a food processor. Pulse several times until the ingredients are roughly chopped. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, then, with the processor running, slowly drizzle in olive oil until the pesto is smooth. Taste and add salt if needed.

Assemble the Pizza

Take your pizza dough and stretch it into a 12-inch round on a lightly floured surface. Transfer the dough to a pizza peel dusted with flour or cornmeal. Spread a generous layer of your freshly made roasted garlic pesto evenly over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust. I find that about 3/4 of a cup is the perfect amount for one pizza.

Add Cheese and Bake

Sprinkle the grated low-moisture mozzarella cheese evenly over the pesto. Be as generous as you like! Carefully slide the pizza from the peel onto the preheated pizza stone or steel in the oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and puffed up, and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and just starting to brown in spots.

🇮🇹 Italy: The Home of Pesto and Timeless Pizza Traditions

Traveling through Liguria, Italy, you quickly discover why this coastal region is world-famous for its pesto alla Genovese, a vibrant sauce born from fresh basil, olive oil, and pine nuts. 

The aroma fills narrow cobblestone streets and seaside cafés, making it a culinary symbol of Italian heritage. 

This Roasted Garlic Pesto Pizza beautifully reflects Liguria’s coastal charm and Italy’s love for simple, flavorful dishes crafted from fresh, local ingredients. It’s truly a taste of authentic Italy.

Additional Tips for Making this Recipe Better

Having made this pizza a few times, I’ve discovered a couple of small things that make a big difference.

• I always make sure my pizza stone is screaming hot before the pizza goes on. I let it preheat with the oven for a full 45 minutes to an hour. This is the secret to getting that perfect, crispy-chewy crust.
• Don’t be shy with the pesto! The first time I made it, I was a little sparse, but the flavor is so much better when you use a nice, thick layer. The roasted garlic is mild and sweet, so it won’t be overpowering.
• I love to brush the crust with a little olive oil right when it comes out of the oven. It adds a little extra flavor and gives it a beautiful, glossy finish.
• A little sprinkle of toasted panko breadcrumbs and a drizzle of chili crunch on top after baking is a game-changer. I find it adds a fantastic texture and a little kick of heat that contrasts beautifully with the creamy pesto.

How to Serve Roasted Garlic Pesto Pizza?

In Italy, especially along the Ligurian coast near Genoa, pesto is more than a sauce; it’s a proud symbol of local heritage and Mediterranean abundance. 

Pair this roasted garlic pesto pizza with a glass of chilled white Vermentino wine or a side of Caprese salad, and you’ll have a meal that celebrates the essence of Italian seaside living. 

Perfect for sharing under the stars just like the locals do.

Nutritional Information

Here is a general overview of the nutritional content per serving, though it will vary based on exact ingredients and portion sizes.

• Calories: Varies widely based on crust and amount of cheese/pesto.
• Protein: Primarily from the cheese and nuts in the pesto.
• Carbohydrates: Mainly from the pizza crust.
• Fat: From the olive oil, cheese, and pine nuts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Planning ahead can make pizza night even easier, and leftovers are always a treat.

Storing: Store any leftover pizza slices in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in foil in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days.

Freezing: The roasted garlic pesto can be made ahead and frozen. Pour it into an ice cube tray, freeze, and then transfer the cubes to a freezer bag. It will keep for up to 3 months. You can also freeze leftover pizza slices, though the texture of the crust may change slightly upon reheating.

Reheating: For the best results, reheat leftover pizza slices in a dry skillet over medium heat, covered, for a few minutes until the bottom is crispy and the cheese is melted. You can also use an air fryer or place them in the oven at 375°F for about 5-10 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

Here are a few reasons why this roasted garlic pesto pizza is sure to become a favorite.

• Incredible Depth of Flavor: Roasting the garlic transforms it into a sweet and savory element, creating a pesto that is leagues above any jarred version. This simple step elevates the entire pizza.
• Simplicity at Its Best: With just pesto and cheese as the main toppings, this recipe proves that you don’t need a dozen ingredients for a delicious pizza. It lets the high-quality components truly shine.
• A Fun and Rewarding Process: From roasting the garlic to blending your own pesto, this recipe is enjoyable to make. It’s a perfect weekend cooking project that results in a restaurant-quality meal.
• Perfect for Customization: While delicious on its own, this pizza serves as a perfect canvas for your favorite toppings. Add chicken, tomatoes, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze to make it your own.