Pesto, roasted pumpkin and baby spinach pizza

In the culinary world, few combinations elevate the senses as harmoniously as the pairing found in a Pesto, roasted pumpkin and baby spinach pizza. Perfect for those looking for a nutritious twist to their usual pizza night, this dish offers a blend of robust flavors and health benefits. We’ve taken extra care at AH7 to present this recipe with our fitness-focused readers in mind.

Ingredients

• 1 pizza dough (about 10 oz or 280 grams)
• 3 tbsp pesto sauce (about 45 ml)
• 1 cup roasted pumpkin, cubed (about 8 oz or 225 grams)
• 1 cup baby spinach (about 1 oz or 30 grams)
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 2 oz or 55 grams)
• 2 tbsp olive oil (30 ml)
• 1 tsp sea salt (about 5 grams)
• 1 tsp black pepper (about 5 grams)
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (about 3 oz or 85 grams)
• 1/4 cup pine nuts (optional, for topping)

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 2

Nutritional Facts Per Serving

• Calories: 320 kcal
• Protein: 12 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fat: 14 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sugar: 6 g

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).
2. On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into your desired thickness.
3. Evenly spread pesto sauce over the rolled-out dough.
4. Sprinkle the roasted pumpkin cubes evenly over the pizza.
5. Scatter baby spinach leaves over the pumpkin.
6. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
7. Season the pizza with salt and pepper.
8. Drizzle olive oil over the toppings.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the crust turns golden brown.
10. Once out of the oven, top with cherry tomatoes and pine nuts.

Handy Tips

1. For an extra crispy crust, pre-bake the rolled-out dough for 5 minutes before adding toppings.
2. Pine nuts add an extra crunch and complement the pesto beautifully, but they can be skipped if you have allergies.
3. Using a pizza stone can result in a more even and crispy crust.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your Pesto, roasted pumpkin and baby spinach pizza straight out of the oven to enjoy its full flavors. Pair it with a fresh green salad drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette. If you’re up for some heat, sprinkle some chili flakes for that extra kick. For beverage pairings, sparkling water with a hint of lemon or an iced herbal tea complements this dish perfectly.