Pesto Pizza Recipe

Pesto Pizza with sausage and caramelized onions is one of my latest pizza creations. This pesto pizza uses pesto as the sauce and is topped with mozzarella, ricotta cheese, caramelized onions, and smoked sausage. 

I’ve been on this caramelized onion kick lately and wanted to try them on pizza. It did not disappoint, I tell you. Caramelized onions just give any dish a layer of more flavor. Caramelized onions can be made ahead of time. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge so all you have to do is add them to the top of the pizza when you are ready to make this. 

This pizza is easily adapted to be Weight Watcher friendly as well as Low Carb and Keto friendly by using the 2 different dough recipes that are below. 

If you like pizza recipes as much as I do, then you will love this Pizza Pasta Casserole Recipe, Air Fryer Pizza Egg Rolls, or Air Fryer Pepperoni Pita Pizzas. 

2 PIZZA DOUGH RECIPES 

On this blog, I have 2 different pizza crust recipes that are very popular that you can use to make this pizza. One is for those that are on Weight Watchers called 2 Ingredient Dough. Which is a simple 2 ingredient recipe using self-rising flour and plain nonfat Greek Yogurt?

The other pizza crust recipe is called Fat Heat Pizza Crust and it is a recipe for those who are following a low carb or keto diet. Each recipe has rave reviews and I’ve made and tried both pizza crust recipes so many times before. Both work really well with this recipe. You can see the details and recipes below for each different kind of crust. 

2 Ingredient Dough Recipe 

Fat Head Pizza Crust Recipe 

Of course, you can also use store-bought pizza dough or find another pizza dough recipe that you always use to make this. Using Nann bread for the dough is another good option. 

WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED TO MAKE PESTO PIZZA? 

A lot of these ingredients below can be purchased at your local supermarket. Like I said above, if you have a favorite recipe for pesto or pizza dough then use that. If you are on Keto or a Low Carb diet use full-fat cheese. If you are on Weight Watchers use reduced-fat cheeses. 

• Homemade or storebought pizza crust 
• Homemade or storebought pesto 
• Shredded mozzarella cheese  
• Ricotta Cheese 
• Sausage 
• Caramelized Onions
  

HOW TO MAKE PESTO PIZZA IN AN AIR FRYER? 

1. The first thing you want to do is make sure your pizza dough is large enough to fit in an air fryer. 
2. Spread the pesto sauce over the pizza dough. Dollop ricotta cheese on top of the pesto and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
   Slice the sausage into rounds and place evenly over top of the pizza. 
3. If you are making caramelized onions (which is optional) Cook the sliced onions in a nonstick skillet with some butter for 15 to 20 minutes on medium-low heat. The caramelized onions are done when they are a golden brown color. If you find the onions drying out in the pan add small amounts of water in the skillet. Spread the onions evenly over the pizza. 
4. Place the pizza in the air fryer basket. 
5. Set the temperature to 375 degrees and cook the pizza for 5 to 7 minutes. 

HOW TO MAKE PEST PIZZA IN THE OVEN?

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
2. Make your favorite pizza dough recipe. I listed 2 options for that above. Place the pizza dough on the prepared baking sheet; brush with olive oil(optional).
3. If you are making caramelized onions (which is optional) Cook the sliced onions in a nonstick skillet with some butter for 15 to 20 minutes on medium-low heat. The caramelized onions are done when they are a golden brown color. If you find the onions drying out in the pan add small amounts of water in the skillet. Spread the onions evenly over the pizza.
4. Spread the pesto sauce over the pizza dough.
5. Dollop ricotta cheese on top of the pesto and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. 
   Slice the sausage into rounds and place evenly over top of the pizza.
6. Bake in the preheated oven until pizza is crispy on the edges and cheese is melted, about 8 minutes.

WHAT IS PESTO?

Pesto sauce is made of olive oil, pine nuts, basil, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. To make it you blend it together using a food processor or blender. If you do not have a blender or food processor or a marble mortar with a wooden pestle. Or just do what I do. Buy a jar of it at your favorite supermarket. It is usually located right next to the marinara sauce. 

PESTO PIZZA TOPPINGS

My pizza toppings are just suggestions but you can easily change it up to whatever you want. Instead of caramelized onions and sausage, you could go with something like tomatoes and cheese, chicken, or pepperoni.