Shaved Asparagus and Pesto Pizza!! If wanting to make the crispy pan pizza dough from Food52, click here for their recipe. And then, take a look below the recipe card below for instructions on what to do.
Shaved Asparagus and Pesto Pizza!! You guys. I grilled pizza. On the grill. And it was fabulous.
And then I shared this photo on Instagram and Cooking Light saw it and shared it too. . and they got over 1.3k likes on the photo and I got about 150 new followers on IG, like within a few hours.
It was insane.
Like, I just picked up my phone that afternoon, checked Instagram and had like 150 new followers. I was like . . what the hell just happened?!
Shaved Asparagus and Pesto Pizza
This focaccia pizza happened.
So, I’m sharing this baby. And well, asparagus is still in season and I need to share just one more pesto recipe this month.
Yes, I’m a pesto fanatic. I’ve come to terms with it. You should too. I loved this one comment from someone on Cooking Light’s IG page: “Totally ruins the whole concept of pizza . . but definitely worth trying!!”
WHAT?!!! I’m glad you’re open to trying this even though it ruins the whole concept of pizza. For me, pizza, these days has become so inventive and creative, I love it. Recently, I had a Mexican quesadilla pizza and mac n’ cheese pizza is one of my faves. My local pizza joint also makes a Chipotle Sweet Potato pizza that is amazing. I don’t know if this person was thrown by the pesto or the shaved asparagus. . but both are magical.
Shaved Asparagus and Pesto Pizza
I’d love to hear what you think of this focaccia pizza down in the comments below! And you guys have to try this!! I will be sharing my homemade pizza dough recipe in a couple of weeks for something special. . so until then, I’m sure you guys have a go-to pizza dough recipe you can use. If not, try my fool proof pizza dough recipe by clicking here.
Shaved Asparagus and Pesto Pizza
Ingredients
For the spinach pesto:
- 3 to 4 cups packed fresh baby spinach
- 1/4 cup parsley, arugula or basil
- 2 to 3 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, pecans or walnuts
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- Kosher salt to taste
For the pizza:
- 1 Pizza dough homemade or store-bought
- 2 teaspoons olive oil extra virgin
- 2 cups spinach pesto
- 4 to 5 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
- 5 to 6 asparagus spears shaved with a vegetable peeler
- kosher salt and pepper to taste; optional
- zest from 1 lemon optional
- finely diced scallions or fresh basil for garnish; optional
- crushed red pepper flakes for heat; optional
Instructions
For the spinach pesto:
- Combine the spinach, parsley or basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl through the feed tube and process until the pesto is thoroughly combined. Add the Parmesan cheese and pulse again until smooth. Season with salt, taste and adjust any ingredients as necessary. Remove from food processor and set aside.
For the pizza:
- Using your oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Using a baking sheet, lightly drizzle with olive oil and rub around with your fingers, coating the pan. Place your pizza dough on top and spread gently with your fingers. Cover with a kitchen towel to let the dough rest for about 10 minutes, and then spread the dough with your fingers again.
- Spread on the pesto, add the cheese over the top and place and arrange the shaved asparagus on top however you like. Bake in the oven for about 20 to 25 minutes, checking on the pizza after 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and garnish with the basil and crushed red pepper flakes if desired. Slice and enjoy!
- If using an outdoor grill: Heat your outdoor gas grill to about 400 to 425 degrees. Brush each side of the pizza dough lightly with extra virgin olive oil and place onto a large baking sheet covered with parchment paper or a non-stick baking mat so it doesn't stick.
- Once the grill is ready, place the pizza dough on the hottest part of the grill and close the lid. Check the pizza crust after a minute or so. Once grill marks have appeared and the crust is slightly crispy, flip it using tongs and a large grill spatula. Close the lid and check the crust after a minute or so.
- After the pizza crust is grilled just slightly, remove the pizza crust from the grill and close the grill so the grill stays hot. Spread on the pesto over one side of the pizza crust and place back into the hot grill but in a spot that does not have direct heat.
- While on the grill, sprinkle on the mozzarella cheese and close the grill. Check the pizza after a minute or so to ensure it is not burning and you have placed the pizza in a good spot. Turn the grill heat down a little if you need to. Close the lid again. After about 4 to 5 minutes, or when the cheese has started to melt, place the shaved asparagus on top and close the lid again. The pizza is finished when the asparagus is warmed through. I prefer a little "bite" to my asparagus so this method worked for me. Alternatively, you can place the shaved asparagus on top and finish the pizza in a 400 degree oven so you can control the temperature better if it's too hard to manage with your grill.
- Drizzle on some extra virgin olive oil, season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with lemon zest and finely diced scallions before serving.
Crispy Pan Pizza Version
Shaved Asparagus and Pesto Pizza!! If wanting to make the crispy pan pizza dough from Food52, click here for their recipe. When the pizza dough is ready, after the second rise, preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Top your amazing pizza with about a heaping cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, then dollop your pesto over the top. Do not spread; just leave about 5 dollops of pesto. Sprinkle a little more cheese over the top and then top with the shaved asparagus. Bake for about 18 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and the bottom and edges of the crust are a rich golden brown.
I just made a batch of pizza dough today and picked up asparagus at the store so I am so trying this! Love the shaved asparagus and pesto is perfect here!
Asparagus is such a great spring veggie! So excited to see it popping up everywhere. I’m especially loving it on this pizza 🙂 Happy Mothers Day, Alice!
It was perfect !!! Excellent !!!! Thanks !
Happy mother day
Another great Spring Veggie recipe 🙂 I never knew pizza could be so green and yet so delicious looking! I always buy prepared pesto, but wish I could make my own. Keep posting more Yummy Veggie Pizza recipes..
Aga, you really need to try making your own pesto. . it’s amazing!!! thank you for the comment! 🙂
Congrats on your instafame! That is super exciting. It’s like Cinderella, except with pizza. Come to think of it, pizza is better than Cinderella.
Grilling pizza has always been that thing I wanted to try, and your version is super compelling. I’m going to have to bite the grilled pizza bullet, Alice!
I’m Italian and I say this pizza is legit. In Italy, they eat pizza more like this with loads of veggies and less like stereotypical American pizza! All this green just makes my heart happy.
This pizza looks incredible. I love that you have piled it high with asparagus. The more the better I say!
I NEED to try grilled pizza this year! I already grill pretty much everything else, so I think that’s all that’s missing in my repertoire. LOL. Seriously though this pizza is GORGEOUS! I love love all the green goodness going on!
So a couple of things here: 1. I can see why this pizza was shared so much! It is insanely amazing Alice! You put your foot in this! and 2. I have to check out the Hello Sessions! I always learn sooo much from you! I hope you are taking it easy too!
This pizza stunning, Alice! I can totally see why so many people loved it. My mouth is watering over all that gorgeous green pesto and asparagus. Love that you grilled it and I seriously can’t wait to try this. <3 it!
That is awesome about your influx of followers, too cool! This pizza looks crazy, crazy good. So unique and I love that it’s done on the grill!
I never thought to put pesto on pizza. Yum! Great idea.
This pizza is just too gorgeous for words!! It’s no wonder Cooking Light picked it up 😉 Congrats! I love pizza on the grill, and pesto pizza, so I’ve definitely gotta give this a try!
This pizza is SO creative, Alice! I would’ve never thought to add asparagus to pizza, let alone shave it. And I’m loving the pesto, too! Sounds so delicious!
Ugh I need a grill! We are vegetarians here and never got one but my parents might get a mini george foreman grill and then I can make all the mini pesto pizzas my heart desires 🙂 This looks soooo good!
I love the gorgeous green colors on this fresh looking pizza!
I was planning to make some pizza today ! Love this one, so easy, fresh and delicious! Love the crust! Pinned!
SO exciting when that happens! You deserve all the extra love Alice!
that’s one creative pizza Alice! Love the topping!!
CONGRATS Alice! That’s just so exciting – but – not surprising – lady -this pizza is fantastic in so many ways!
Well, of course they shared it. They’re no dummies! Lol. That’s awesome, Alice! It’s so gorgeous…and all. the. asparagus. !! I want!
Whoa, 150 new followers??!! I will make this pizza, I will post it on IG, and someone popular will share my post and I will get new followers too, right?? All jokes aside, this pizza sounds amazing. I never grilled pizza, gotta fix it this summer!
This pizza looks awesome. And I do not doubt the powers of pesto as a pizza sauce. Let the haters hate. And thanks for the heads up on Hello Sessions. I definitely want to check that out. You know me, any excuse to get back to the west coast is good for me! 🙂
Awesome, Liz!!! keep me posted if you are really thinking about going. . we have to meet! 😛
Oh man. That’s amazing! I adore finding new ways to make asparagus, this is fantastic!!!
Cooking Light clearly has great taste 😉
This is the ultimate spring pizza! I love the shaved asparagus. Also, thanks for the heads up about Hello Sessions. That looks like such a great event!
Maryanne, doesn’t it look great! not too overwhelming like some conferences but still informational and awesome!!!
This pizza is definitely deserving of all of those new followers! This looks amazing! Congratulations!
This just screams SPRING!!! And looks so delicious! Definitely need to get on this!
Thanks so much Katrina!!
I had no idea about Hello Sessions so I am so glad that you mentioned it! Let’s go! I love any excuse to shave asparagus so this pizza sounds perfect!
Ashley, are you really interested?!! . . let’s keep in touch on this!! If my husband can take those two days off, it’s a go for me!
So OBVIOUSLY your pizza is legit and doesn’t hurt the image of pizza at all. Says the girl who posted a Rainbow Fruit Brownie Pizza today… but nevertheless. My ruling stands. 🙂 Pesto makes a fabulous sauce, asparagus is a delicious topping… what is the problem here, people?! Also, congrats on the IG action! That’s amazing!!!!
I love everything about this pizza Alice – pesto and asparagus are my favorite ways to celebrate Spring!
I’ve been drooling over this ever since I saw it on Instagram, so beautiful Alice!!!! I love the fresh, delicious green pesto and that gorgeous shaved asparagus (it’s like the best of both worlds, cheesy pizza deliciousness and a healthy hunk of green veg!). Definitely trying this soon. Hope that you had a gorgeous weekend and that you’ve got amazing celebrations planned for your published recipes (SO excited for you!!!) xxxx
This pizza looks gorgeous! It’s the start of asparagus season here in the UK and I cannot wait to try out this pizza, Alice! 😀
I LOVE grilling my pizzas, too! But this combination of asparagus and pesto has got me like “whoa”. So delicious! I feel like I can taste all the flavors in my mouth from looking at that photo – yum! Great recipe, Alice!
Okay – I was already following you on IG when you posted this stunning pizza, but if I wasn’t, I would followed you along with all the others. Wish I could a second time! This pizza really speaks to me! hahaha! Love it!!!
YES!!!! I love when people I know get little boosts on IG! LOVE what you’ve done with the asparagus here! I was just looking for quick pizza ideas.
Hello Sessions….definitely haven’t heard of that before! I might need to squeeze it into my schedule this fall!
I am living under a rock apparently as I have never tried to grill my pizza dough. Now that we have purchased a new grill this must change!
I never knew pizza could look so beautiful!!
Oh my goodness how gorgeous is this pizza! And it sounds soooo good. How exciting that Cooking Light shared it! I’ve had thefeedfeed share my photos a few times and it’s always unreal how many followers it drives!
Isn’t grilled pizza just the best!!!? Intriguing toppings – I love it! And it’s SO gorgeous with all of those brilliant greens! Big congrats on all of those IG followers – that’s great! 🙂
This is such a bright and happy pizza! And definitely ‘spring-y’! Looks so fresh and delicious, Alice! I would be super excited if Cooking Light shared one of my recipes 🙂 🙂 Congrats!
You are one smart cookies, Alice! I haven’t grilled pizza before but I bet it tastes amazing–especially with all those lovely greens on top!
That’s awesome! I’m not surprised you got so many likes and followers. This photo is gorgeous!!
Oh my gosh, I’m drooling over here! I love all of the green. And grilling pizza is amazing! I haven’t done it since last fall, but I need to get on that stat. I haven’t done a homemade pizza night in awhile and think I need to do one very soon!
I hope you do, Nicole!! Thank you!!
You pizza turned out fabulously! And I wouldn’t feel guilty indulging because look at all of that asparagus! SO delicious and I love that it’s cooked on the grill.
I’m going to look into that conference for the fall! Maybe I’ll be able to travel then. Also major crush on this pizza. U are luck Paul lets you around the grill!
Those asparagus look awesome Alice! And there’s always space for a new pesto recipe. I’m crazy about it, and think on top of a pizza is a perfect place for it! I use my sun dried tomato pesto for pizzas a lot. Love this post!
What an amazing spring green pizza!
Thank you Kevin!!!
This looks incredible! So happy it’s asparagus season again!!