Description
At its core, a pesto pizza recipe swaps out the traditional marinara or crushed tomato base for a lush, green sauce known as pesto. This sauce is traditionally a blend of fresh basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, coarse salt, parmesan cheese, and a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil. When spread over a pizza crust, it creates a base that is rich, nutty, and incredibly aromatic.
Ingredients
Scale
- 200–250 g spaghetti
- 2 cups tomato sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- 1 tsp sugar (optional, balances acidity)
- Fresh basil or dried herbs (optional)
- Grated cheese (optional, for topping)
Instructions
1. Cook the spaghetti
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add spaghetti and cook according to package instructions (usually 8–10 minutes).
- Drain and set aside.
2. Prepare the sauce
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and sauté until soft.
- Add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds (don’t burn it).
3. Add tomato sauce
- Pour in the tomato sauce and stir well.
- Add salt, pepper, and sugar (if using).
- Let it simmer for 10–15 minutes so flavors develop.
4. Combine
- Add the cooked spaghetti into the sauce.
- Toss well so all noodles are coated.
5. Serve
- Garnish with basil or herbs and grated cheese if you like.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (including dough resting)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 slices
- Calories: ~320 kcal