Description
This Quick & Easy Mediterranean Pizza is a flavorful, vibrant dish featuring a crispy crust topped with pesto, mozzarella, artichokes, olives, and red onions. Finished with fresh arugula, grape tomatoes, crumbled feta, and parsley, this pizza brings together classic Mediterranean ingredients for a delicious, simple homemade meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Base
- 1 ball pizza dough (homemade or store bought)
Sauce & Cheese
- 3 tablespoons pesto (homemade or store bought)
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella
Toppings
- 1 cup artichokes (quartered)
- ¼ medium red onion (sliced)
- ¼ cup Kalamata olives (sliced)
Fresh Toppings & Garnish
- 1 cup arugula (for topping)
- ¼ cup grape tomatoes (halved for topping)
- ¼ cup crumbled feta
- 1 tablespoon parsley (chopped for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for a crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese.
- Prepare Dough: If using store bought dough, allow it to come to room temperature before shaping it on a pizza peel or baking sheet. If using homemade dough, prepare according to your recipe.
- Apply Pesto: Spread 3 tablespoons of pesto evenly over the stretched dough, leaving a ½ inch border around the edges to create a nice crust.
- Add Cheese and Toppings: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the pesto, then add quartered artichokes, sliced red onion, and Kalamata olives on top for a rich Mediterranean flavor profile.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the pizza on the top rack of the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese bubbles and melts beautifully.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately top with fresh arugula, halved grape tomatoes, crumbled feta, and chopped parsley to finish with fresh, vibrant flavors.
- Serve: Slice the pizza, serve warm, and enjoy the perfect balance of baked and fresh Mediterranean ingredients.
Notes
- Bring store-bought dough to room temperature before shaping for easier handling and better texture.
- Use fresh pesto or high-quality store bought for the best flavor.
- You can substitute the arugula with baby spinach or other leafy greens you prefer.
- For a crispier crust, bake on a preheated pizza stone or baking steel if available.
- Customize toppings by adding grilled chicken or roasted red peppers for extra protein and flavor.
- Leftover pizza can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven for best results.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: Mediterranean pizza, quick pizza recipe, easy pizza, homemade pizza, pesto pizza, vegetarian pizza
