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Cottage Cheese Pesto Pizza Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.9 from 12 reviews
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
  • Total Time: 22-25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Pizza
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Cottage Cheese Pesto Pizza is a fresh and flavorful twist on traditional pizza. Featuring a crispy crust topped with vibrant basil pesto, creamy cottage cheese, juicy cherry tomatoes, and melted mozzarella, it offers a delightful combination of textures and tastes. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a light lunch, this pizza balances savory and herby notes with a healthy dose of protein from cottage cheese.

Ingredients

For the Dough

  • 1 pre-made pizza crust (or homemade, about 12 inches)

For the Toppings

  • 1/2 cup cottage cheese
  • 1/4 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) to ensure a hot environment for a crispy crust.
  2. Prepare the crust: Place your pizza crust onto a baking sheet or pizza stone. Brush the surface lightly with olive oil to enhance crispiness and prevent sogginess.
  3. Spread the pesto: Evenly spread the basil pesto over the pizza crust, creating a vibrant green base layer that will infuse the pizza with rich herbaceous flavor.
  4. Add the cottage cheese: Dollop the cottage cheese across the pizza in small spoonfuls. This will add a creamy, tangy element to each bite.
  5. Top with mozzarella and tomatoes: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the entire pizza, then scatter halved cherry tomatoes on top for bursts of freshness and color.
  6. Season and bake: Lightly season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  7. Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Let the pizza cool for a minute before slicing and serving for the best flavors and texture.

Notes

  • For a homemade pesto, blend fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil until smooth.
  • Use cottage cheese with low moisture content to avoid soggy pizza.
  • Feel free to add other toppings like olives, spinach, or red onion for extra flavor.
  • If using a pizza stone, preheat it in the oven to ensure even cooking.
  • Leftover pizza can be refrigerated and enjoyed cold or reheated in a skillet to maintain crispiness.

Find it online: https://cookedbylina.com/cottage-cheese-pesto-pizza-recipe/