“Quick Fix” Broccoli Pesto Pizza

March 16, 2019

Welcome to another episode of Random Things Beth Makes with Leftovers in Her Fridge! This week it’s a super Quick Fix Broccoli Pesto Pizza that totally surpassed my expectations. I’m definitely going to be making this one again, and often. As with all of my “throw together meals” this one has some universal applications, so even if you don’t have the exact same leftovers as me, I hope this pizza inspires you!

“Quick Fix” Broccoli Pesto Pizza

A Quick Fix Broccoli Pesto Pizza on a plate with a striped napkin and a hand pulling one slice away.

Tortillas for the Win!

To make this Broccoli Pesto Pizza as fast and easy as possible, I used a tortillas as the pizza crust. Tortillas make the best thin and crispy pizza crusts and are pretty much effortless. If you haven’t used a tortilla as a pizza crust yet, you’re totally missing out.

I used some pesto that I had in my pantry as my pizza sauce. The oil kind of soaked into the tortilla and gave it an almost fry bread-like texture, which was unexpected but totally awesome. A little chopped frozen broccoli went on top, along with some mozzarella, a light sprinkle of feta for a salty kick, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for fire. The combo is so unexpectedly delicious and I’m IN LOVE.

Can I Use Fresh Broccoli?

Yes, but the broccoli will not cook through in the 5-6 minutes that the pizza is in the oven, so you’ll have more of a raw broccoli topping. Or you can par-cook your broccoli before beginning. Frozen broccoli is great because it’s par-boiled before freezing, so it already tender once thawed.

What Else Can I Put on My Broccoli Pesto Pizza?

If you want to add to the broccoli and pesto, here are a few ideas that I think would be amazing, if you happen to have them on hand: roasted red peppers, sun dried tomatoes, goat cheese, or bacon. Maybe not all of them because that would be a little overwhelming, but adding one or two would be good.

And if you don’t like broccoli or pesto, feel free to use whatever toppings you like on pizza! I’m known to hit up the salad bar at the grocery store for a pinch of this or that to top my pizzas, without having to buy a LOT of each item (see Quick Fix Salad Bar Pizza).

 

Quick Fix Broccoli Pesto Pizza

This “Quick Fix” Broccoli Pesto Pizza is the fastest and easiest route to getting your pizza fix, with an extra thing and crispy tortilla crust.

  • 1 8-inch flour tortilla ($0.24)
  • 2 Tbsp pesto ($0.37)
  • 1/2 cup frozen broccoli florets, thawed ($0.28)
  • 2 oz. shredded mozzarella ($0.42)
  • 1/2 oz. crumbled feta (about 1 Tbsp) ($0.27)
  • 1 pinch crushed red pepper ($0.02)
  1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Place the tortilla on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 6 minutes, or just until it begins to form bubbles and turn golden on the edges.* Remove the tortilla from the oven.

  2. While the tortilla is in the oven, finely chop the broccoli florets. Use a paper towel to lightly blot the broccoli to remove any excess water.

  3. Spread the pesto over the par-baked tortilla. Next, top with the chopped broccoli, shredded mozzarella, crumbled feta, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.

  4. Bake the topped pizza for an additional 6 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted.

*Tortillas and ovens are not all created equal, so cooking time may vary. Keep a close eye on the tortilla as it is pre-baking.

Close up of a Quick Fix Broccoli Pesto Pizza on a plate with crushed red pepper sprinkled on top.

Step by Step Photos

Par-baked flour tortilla on the baking sheet.

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Place an 8-inch flour tortilla on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 6 minutes, or until it begins to bubble up and the edges are just beginning to turn golden brown.

Chopped Broccoli being blotted with paper towel on a cutting board

While the tortilla is baking, chop about 1/2 cup of thawed frozen broccoli florets. Blot them dry with a paper towel.

Spread Pesto on the par-baked tortilla

Spread about 2 Tbsp pesto on the par-baked tortilla.

Add broccoli and shredded mozzarella to the pesto topped tortilla

Sprinkle the chopped broccoli on top of the pesto, followed by about 2 oz. of shredded mozzarella.

Fully topped broccoli pesto pizza ready to go back into the oven

Finally, add a light sprinkle of crumbled feta (about 1/2 oz. or 1 Tbsp) and a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Baked Broccoli Pesto Pizza on the baking sheet with browned cheese around the edges.

Return the pizza to the oven (still at 350ºF) and bake for an additional 6 minutes, or just until the cheese is melted.

Sliced Quick Fix Broccoli Pesto Pizza on a cutting board with a jar of pesto and pizza wheel on the side.

Slice the Broccoli Pesto Pizza and serve immediately! 

The post “Quick Fix” Broccoli Pesto Pizza appeared first on Budget Bytes.

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