Savory Pesto Delight Pizza with Caramelized Onions and Choice of Protein
Elevate your pizza night with this Savory Pesto Delight Pizza, guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser! This delightful dish seamlessly blends the robust flavor of homemade roasted garlic and aromatic pesto with the sweetness of caramelized onions and fresh tomatoes. Choose between tender shredded chicken or succulent shrimp—whatever fits your pantry. The addition of mushrooms offers an earthy touch, while the gooey melted mozzarella and sharp parmesan cheese create a symphony of texture. This pizza is a perfect way to use up leftover protein and is sure to impress at any gathering. Enjoy this family favorite that balances savory and sweet elements flawlessly!
6-8
Servings
437.5
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Thin Pizza Crust
1 (ready to use)
Cooked Chicken Breast or Raw Shrimp
1 or ½-¾ cup (shredded for chicken; peeled and deveined for shrimp)
Garlic Cloves
6 (roasted and mashed)
Pesto Sauce
½ cup (store-bought or homemade)
Small Onion
1 (halved and sliced)
Butter
2 tablespoons (for sautéing)
Balsamic Vinegar
1 teaspoon (for flavoring onions)
Sliced Mushrooms
½ cup (optional)
Sugar Substitute or Sugar
½ tablespoon (to balance onion sweetness)
Small Tomato
1 (seeded, halved, and sliced)
Mozzarella Cheese
1 cup (shredded)
Parmesan Cheese
½ cup (shredded or grated)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
In a medium-high skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter until it starts to foam.
3
Add the sliced mushrooms (if using) and sauté for about 5-7 minutes, until softened. Remove them from the skillet and set aside.
4
In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of butter and the sliced onion. Stir to coat.
5
Cover the skillet and let the onions cook for approximately 5 minutes until they begin to soften.
6
Remove the cover and continue to cook the onions for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until they are golden brown and caramelized.
7
Once the onions are caramelized, drizzle the balsamic vinegar over them and sprinkle your sugar substitute or sugar. Stir to combine and create a sweet, tangy mixture.
8
Meanwhile, spread the roasted garlic evenly over the pizza crust.
9
Next, spread the pesto sauce over the garlic layer.
10
Distribute the shredded chicken or raw shrimp over the pesto, followed by the caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, and sliced tomatoes.
11
Finally, generously sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top of the pizza.
12
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
13
Allow to cool slightly, slice, and serve hot. Enjoy your savory pesto pizza!
Nutrition Information
22.5g
Fat
36.25g
Carbs
27.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Pesto Delight Pizza?
It is a pizza dish featuring roasted garlic, pesto, caramelized onions, and a choice of chicken or shrimp.
What proteins can I use for this recipe?
You can use either shredded cooked chicken breast or raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp.
What oven temperature is required?
The oven should be preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius.
How long does the pizza bake?
Bake the pizza for 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
How do I prepare the garlic for the pizza?
Use six garlic cloves that have been roasted and mashed to spread over the crust.
What is the first layer to go on the pizza crust?
The first layer is the roasted and mashed garlic cloves.
What goes on top of the garlic layer?
The pesto sauce is spread evenly over the garlic layer.
How do I caramelize the onions?
Sauté sliced onions in butter for 15-20 minutes until golden brown, then add balsamic vinegar and sugar.
What kind of crust should I use?
The recipe calls for one ready-to-use thin pizza crust.
Can I use store-bought pesto?
Yes, you can use either store-bought or homemade pesto sauce.
Are mushrooms mandatory?
No, sliced mushrooms are an optional ingredient for this recipe.
How should the mushrooms be prepared?
Sauté them in butter for 5-7 minutes until they are softened before adding them to the pizza.
What types of cheese are used?
The recipe uses one cup of shredded mozzarella and half a cup of shredded or grated parmesan cheese.
How many servings does this pizza make?
This recipe makes approximately 6 to 8 servings.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are 437.5 calories per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving contains 27.5 grams of protein.
How much fat is in each serving?
Each serving contains 22.5 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 36.25 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What role does balsamic vinegar play in the recipe?
Balsamic vinegar is drizzled over the onions during caramelization to add a tangy flavor.
Can I use a sugar substitute?
Yes, you can use a sugar substitute or regular sugar to balance the sweetness of the onions.
How should the tomato be prepared?
The tomato should be seeded, halved, and sliced before being placed on the pizza.
What should I do if the onions are sticking to the pan?
Ensure you stir them occasionally and use the butter as directed to help them caramelize.
How much shrimp is needed if I choose that protein?
You will need between half to three-quarters of a cup of raw shrimp.
What is the total number of ingredients?
The recipe requires 12 distinct ingredients.
How do I know when the pizza is finished cooking?
The crust will be golden brown and the cheese will be completely melted and bubbly.
Should I cook the chicken before putting it on the pizza?
Yes, the recipe specifies using cooked chicken breast that has been shredded.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, but ensure they are peeled, deveined, and thawed if they were frozen before baking.
When do I add the parmesan cheese?
Sprinkle it on top of the pizza along with the mozzarella before baking.
What is the suggested prep for the onions?
The onions should be halved and sliced before sautéing.
How should I serve the pizza?
Allow it to cool slightly after baking, then slice and serve while still hot.