January 28, 2025

Pesto and Prosciutto Pizza

This Pesto and Prosciutto Pizza is a delicious blend of fresh, vibrant flavours and rich, savoury notes, baked to perfection in our Ooni Karu 16.

The base features a Neapolitan-style tomato sauce, topped with dollops of fragrant pesto and creamy fresh mozzarella.

After baking, thin slices of prosciutto are layered on top, allowing their delicate flavour to stand out. A sprinkle of chilli flakes adds a gentle kick, while a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) ties everything together for a silky finish.

Pesto and Prosciutto Pizza

This pizza combines the earthy herbaceousness of pesto with the rich, salty flavour of prosciutto, all balanced by creamy mozzarella and a hint of heat from chilli flakes. A drizzle of EVOO ties it all together, creating a perfectly balanced and flavourful meal.

To make this pesto and prosciutto pizza, you'll need a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time to prep the dough and toppings. Follow our step-by-step instructions and you'll be indulging in a slice of this exciting and flavourful pizza in no time. Bon appétit! And don't forget to check out some of our other pizza recipes for inspiration for your next pie day!

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Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American, Australian, Italian, Pizza

Servings people

Equipment

Outdoor Pizza Oven, Pizza Steel, or Stone (if using a home oven)
1 Pizza Peel
1 wooden chopping board or peel for prep and serving

Ingredients

1 pizza dough ball
1 ladle of pizza sauce
3-4 tbsp pesto sauce
Fresh mozzarella cheese
Low moisture mozzarella cheese
Prosciutto
Extra virgin olive oil
Chilli flakes

Instructions

Prepare Dough: Follow any of our dough recipes. You will need to prepare the dough at least 24 hours ahead of time.
Prepare Tomato Sauce: We recommend our standard pizza sauce which is versatile, simple to make and is perfect for Neapolitan style pizzas. Spice up this sauce however you like, remember the best part about making pizza is the creative process!
Prepare Pesto Sauce: We followed this recipe which worked really well for us. Alternatively, a high-quality store-bought pesto is perfectly fine.
Prepare Cheese: Place your fresh mozzarella in a container or bowl with a paper towel at the bottom to allow some of the water to drain. Tear both the fresh mozzarella and low moisture mozzarella cheeses into medium-sized pieces. Set aside.
Prepare Prosciutto We used full slices of prosciutto to create a ribbon effect. Set aside for post-bake assembly.
Preheat Oven:
If using an outdoor pizza like an Ooni pizza oven, aim for a temperature of 450-500°C at the center of your pizza stone. Use an infrared thermometer to ensure accuracy. It should take around 25-30 minutes to reach temperature.
For a home oven, using a pizza steel or stone, place the stone or steel inside the oven and preheat to the highest temperature for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare Base: On a lightly floured surface, stretch out the dough by hand according to the steps outlined in our dough recipe. Once you're happy with the shape of the base, lightly dust your pizza peel and transfer the dough onto the peel.
Assemble Pizza: Start by spreading a ladle of sauce in a circular motion, beginning at the center of the dough. Distribute low-moisture mozzarella pieces evenly, ensuring they are around 2 cm in diameter and spaced at least 1.5 cm apart. Spread the pesto sauce over the pizza, distributing it between the mozzarella chunks for even coverage without overloading. Finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a light sprinkle of chilli flakes. Ensure the toppings are well-balanced and visually appealing.
Bake Your Pizza:
If you're using an outdoor pizza oven, launch the pizza into the oven and bake for 60-90 seconds. Keep an eye on the pie and rotate every 10-15 seconds to ensure even cooking and to avoid burning.
For a home oven with a pizza steel or stone, the bake time should be around 7-10 minutes.
Serving: Once done, remove the pizza from the oven and place it on a serving board. Arrange slices of prosciutto over the pizza. Now it's time to enjoy your delicious pizza with pesto and prosciutto!