Christmas Tree Pizza
A festive, tree-shaped pizza topped with basil pesto, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and Parmesan, garnished with fresh herbs and vegetables. This visually stunning dish is perfect for holiday gatherings and offers a flavorful twist on a classic Italian favorite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 lb pizza dough, room temperature
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, torn into pieces
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- Extra cherry tomatoes for ornaments
- 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into star shape
- Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional)
- 2 tablespoons cornmeal or flour for dusting
- Cooking spray or olive oil for pan
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Lightly oil a large baking sheet or pizza stone and dust with cornmeal.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out pizza dough into a large rectangle, approximately 12×16 inches.
- Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into a Christmas tree shape with a triangle and a rectangular trunk at the bottom.
- Carefully transfer the tree-shaped dough to the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush the dough lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Par-bake the shaped dough for 10 minutes until just set but not browned.
- Remove from oven and spread pesto evenly over the surface, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Distribute torn mozzarella pieces across the tree, concentrating more cheese toward the center and less near the edges.
- Arrange halved cherry tomatoes as ornaments, spacing them evenly across the tree.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the entire surface.
- Return to oven and bake for 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly and edges are golden brown.
- Remove from oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves, yellow bell pepper star, and rosemary sprigs if using.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature dough for easier shaping.
- Make multiple smaller trees for individual servings.
- Best served immediately while cheese is warm and melty.
- High-quality pesto or homemade yields better flavor and color.
Find it online: https://www.recipebyelena.com/christmas-tree-pizza/