Quick and easy garlic naan pizza with arugula pesto {vegetarian}
Indian bread with an Italian topping: what could be more fun? When you live five miles from the nearest pizza joint, home delivery isn't an option, but that doesn't mean that pizza can't be on the menu. In less time than it takes to call in a take-out order, you can have garlic naan pizza on the table. And the best part is that, with a well-stocked pantry and some Indian flatbread in the freezer, you can invent pizzas your local pizza place probably never imagined. Naan comes in white, whole wheat, or garlic versions, and all will make wonderful bases for your pizza. (You can use other flatbreads, too, like tortillas, pita and lavash). If you like really crisp pizza crust, toast the naan under the broiler, on a grill, or in a panini press before adding the toppings. Any kind of pesto you have in your freezer will work here, which makes this a quick, easy and flexible recipe for weeknight supper or family pizza night.
Garlic naan pizza with arugula pesto
From the pantry, you'll need: cashews, garlic, kosher salt, fresh black pepper, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, extra virgin olive oil.
Serves 2; can be multiplied (recipe makes enough pesto for several pizzas).
Ingredients
For the pesto:
1/2 cup cashews
3 large cloves garlic, trimmed and roughly chopped
4 cups arugula leaves
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp fresh black pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, or more to taste
For the pizza:
1 garlic naan bread
1/3 cup arugula pesto
2-3 Tbsp grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1 cup arugula leaves
1 tsp balsamic vinaigrette dressing, or your favorite vinaigrette
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Place the bread on a rimmed baking sheet. If you want a crisper pizza, use a baking stone.
Spread the pesto evenly on the bread, and top with the parmesan cheese.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven.
In a small bowl, toss the arugula with vinaigrette, and top the pizza with the arugula.
Serve hot or at room temperature.
More quick and easy pizza recipes:
Sausage, egg and asparagus pizza
Clam, bacon and caramelized onion pita pizza
Whole wheat pizza with pumpkin, black beans and caramelized onions
Garlic naan pizza with roasted peppers and cheese
Peachy mama pizza
Other recipes that use these pantry ingredients:
Rainbow veggie flatbread pizza, from Gimme Some Oven
Spicy baba ganoush pita pizza, from FatFree Vegan Kitchen
Mexican pita pizza, from Cowgirl Chef
Provolone pita pizza, from Green Lite Bites
Thai chicken naan pizza with peanut sauce, red pepper and carrots, from Cookin' Canuck
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looks amazing! I love the idea and its got all my favourite stuff in the recipe :)
p.s i love making pizzas on pastry!
Bec, I'll make pizza on just about anything!
I am totally drooling over the double dose of arugula in this recipe. Costco here has started carrying some Naan that looks fantastic.
Kalyn, stock up on that naan and stash it in the freezer. It's great for a do-it-yourself pizza party.
I love the simplicity of this pizza, Lydia. Naan bread is always great to have on hand for dinners like this one.
Cookin Canuck, I love making flatbread pizza, especially for those nights when everyone wants something different. Give everyone their own bread, lots of toppings to choose from, and make it easy on the cook!