Making homemade pizza has never been easier! This Kale Pesto Pizza is topped with homemade kale pesto, tomato and burrata cheese for a minimal, yet seriously flavorful pizza recipe.
It’s the weekend, so let’s celebrate with some kale pesto pizza!
Homemade pizza is almost always a good idea, and despite its simplicity, this pizza is crazy flavorful and husband-approved even though he’s not crazy about pesto.
See, I had to find another way to utilize my 5-ingredient kale pesto, and this pizza is just the way to do that. If you’re a fan of homemade pizza, I urge you to try this recipe, mostly because it just screams spring/summer.
And, if you're anything like me and completely obsessed with all things pesto, you MUST try my sun-dried tomato pesto pasta and my roasted carrots with carrot top pesto.
Ingredient notes:
Pizza dough: I’ve said it before, but I only ever use the pizza dough from Trader Joe’s (in the refrigerated section) or Whole Foods (in the freezer section) -- both are delicious and yield delicious pizza crust.
Kale pesto: No substitutions, though you could try my almost pesto (link) if kale isn’t your thing.
Tomatoes: Any kind; I used sliced grape tomatoes and they worked great
Cheese: I adore using burrata cheese on pizza because it’s just so dang creamy! Other cheeses that would work are: fresh mozzarella, goat cheese, shredded mozzarella, or even vegan mozzarella to keep this pizza plant-based.
Method
First: Make the pesto. If you haven’t done so already, take 5 minutes to whip up homemade kale pesto in your food processor.
Second: Roll out the dough. Next, flour a work surface and use a rolling pin to roll out the pizza dough, or if you’re like me, use your hands to stretch it out into a rectangle, then transfer it to a large baking sheet.
Third: Add the toppings. Spoon the pesto onto the dough, using the back of a spoon to spread it so that it covers the whole pizza. Then, add the tomatoes but wait to add the burrata cheese.
Fourth: Bake. Bake the pizza for 20 minutes, then take it out of the oven, add the burrata cheese and bake for 5 additional minutes until the burrata has melted and the tomatoes are soft.
Tips and tricks
-If the crust doesn't seem to be browning to your liking, brush a little olive oil over it then place it back into the oven.
-Other topping ideas include: chicken, prosciutto, spinach, asparagus -- SO many things you could add!
How should this be stored?
Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. To reheat: you can reheat pizza in the microwave, or heat your oven to 350°, place the pizza back on a baking sheet and heat it for 8-10 minutes or until it's warm.
Can I add more cheese?
Yes!! If you want this to be an ooey gooey cheesy pizza, sprinkle some shredded mozzarella overtop of the pesto before baking it. Then, add the burrata cheese for even more cheesiness!
More pizza recipes:
If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!
Kale Pesto Pizza
Ingredients
for the pesto:
for the pizza:
- 1 ball pizza dough store-bought or homemade
- ⅓ cup kale pesto or more
- 1 cup grape tomatoes sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 oz. burrata cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
- fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°.
- If you haven't already, make the kale pesto.
- Sprinkle a flat surface or baking mat with flour and then use your hands and/or a rolling pin to roll the pizza dough out and transfer it to a large baking sheet.
- Spoon the pesto out onto the pizza dough, then use the back of the spoon to spread it out.
- Top the pesto with the tomatoes, then bake the pizza for 20 minutes. Remove it from the oven, then brush the crust with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and add the burrata cheese. Place the pizza back into the oven and bake for 5 more minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Remove from oven, cut and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
UPDATE NOTE: This post was originally published in July 2016. It was updated with new text and photos in March 2021.
Jamie @ Dishing Out Health says
This is totally the pizza of my dreams. LOVE burrata (like, DEEPLY lol) and love me some herbaceous kale pesto! Pinned!
Erin says
Thanks Jamie--burrata is the BEST.
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday says
I love, love, love homemade pizza and don't do it often enough at all. This looks like simple perfection. Pesto is magical 🙂
Erin says
I agree--oh so magical!
Sarah @ Sweet Miles says
I LOVE any pizza that uses pesto as the sauce/base, but I've never been able to stomach kale! This however looks delicious and like the perfect balance of everything! Love that video!
Erin says
Honestly, you can't reeeeeally taste the kale.. it's much more basil-y and garlicky, and if you really hate the kale you could just sub spinach instead 😉
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen says
LOL spending an entire year bloated on Friday's. You are a CHAMP.
We don't make homemade pizza enough but my friend would do homemade pizza fridays quite often!
This pizza is seriously everything I want on a pizza all the time. Making ASAP <3
Erin says
Haha I do NOT miss bloated Fridays.
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
I love that this uses a shortcut store bought pizza dough. I'm always looking for quick and easy recipes. Wonder if my kids would eat this? Hmm...
Erin says
Ohhh good question. We never had pesto when I was a kid, so I'm not sure if I would have liked it?! I used to be such a picky eater.. glad that's changed. Let me know if you try it!
Medha says
This pizza is gorgeous! Love the kale pesto base and the simple (but delicious!) toppings 🙂
Erin says
Yesssss kale pesto is the jam.
Allie @ Miss Allie's Kitchen says
HAHA pizza is a really sore subject around our house currently. I've been hesitant to make my own (I've had like 0 time lately) but the BF and I can't find anything that is actually pre-mde and healthy that isn't super teeny! AKA we spent 15 mins in the frozen section of the grocery last week. But I love making and grilling my own pizzas in the summer - this is insanely beautiful. I think I'm going to buy your photography guide...I need serious help!
Erin says
I know that struggle... all the organic pizzas are SO small you end up buying two, but it costs way too much. Homemade pizza ftw!
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie says
I love making homemade pizza! Everything from rolling out the dough to adding whatever toppings I am craving, it is fun and I can get creative with whatever I type of pizza I am making. Plus I can add whatever I want and whoever else is making a pizza with me can add whatever they want to their own pizza!
Erin says
So true--I made some again last night, so I'm hoping this tradition continues!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
I love your video!!! (It's making me hungry, haha.) That pizza looks so good and sounds delicious! I've been loving buratta cheese lately! I feel like it's really trendy right now!
Erin says
It is SO trendy ahah but for a good reason! So delicious.
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food says
Ahh yess to homemade pizza! We actually used to do pizza Friday or Saturday too for a long time. Riley is a pro at taking a pile of pizza dough and making something fantastic out of it. I think the tradition needs to come back!
Erin says
Yes! Let's bring back pizza Fridays.