Description
This Pesto Pizza with Prosciutto, Tomatoes, and Mozzarella is a delightful homemade pizza recipe featuring a crisp crust topped with flavorful pesto, fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and savory prosciutto. Enhanced optionally with fresh basil and Parmesan or Romano cheese, it bakes to bubbly perfection on a pizza stone for a deliciously golden finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Base
- 1 pizza dough for large pizza
Cheese
- 6 ounces low moisture mozzarella cheese, sliced into 9-10 pieces
Toppings
- 3 tablespoons pesto
- 2 slices prosciutto, coarsely chopped
- 1 large tomato, sliced thin
Optional Toppings
- basil leaves
- Parmesan or Romano cheese
- corn meal for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the stone: Place a pizza stone or pan in a cold oven and preheat to 425º F. This ensures the stone is hot enough to crisp the crust evenly.
- Roll out the dough: Roll the pizza dough into a large round shape. Once the oven and stone are heated, carefully remove the stone and dust it with corn meal to prevent sticking. Transfer the rolled-out dough onto the hot stone.
- Add toppings: Quickly and evenly spread the pesto sauce over the pizza dough. Arrange mozzarella slices across the surface, spacing them about an inch or two apart to avoid cheese spilling over the edges. Add thin tomato slices and coarsely chopped prosciutto. If using, sprinkle fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan or Romano cheese on top.
- Bake the pizza: Return the stone along with the pizza to the oven and bake for 14 to 16 minutes, or until the cheese bubbles and begins to brown, and the crust is golden and cooked through.
- Slice and serve: Remove the pizza from the oven, slice it into six portions, and serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Using a pizza stone helps achieve a crispier crust but a baking sheet can be used if unavailable.
- Low moisture mozzarella is recommended to prevent excess moisture making the crust soggy.
- Dusting the stone with corn meal prevents sticking and makes transferring the pizza easier.
- Feel free to customize toppings with your favorite fresh herbs or cheeses.
- Watch closely near the end of baking to avoid burning the cheese or crust.
