Are you ready to change up your pizza toppings? Our Vegan Pear and Pistachio Pesto Pizza is here to rescue you from pizza monotony! With pistachio pesto, caramelized onions, creamy vegan mozzarella, pear slices, fresh arugula, and a drizzle of tangy balsamic glaze, this flavor-packed pizza is a must-try and it's ready in about 20 minutes.
Pizza night is a weekly occurrence at our house. Saturdays are always reserved for 100% Biga Neapolitan Pizza Dough Recipe that we make in the Ooni, but for a faster weekday pizza, we like to make this pistachio pesto and pear pizza.
So, if your taste buds are craving a twist or it just happens to be October (National Pizza Month in the US since 1987), it’s time to say goodbye to the usual pizza sauce, traditional cheese, and tired toppings—for now, at least.
For other delicious recipes using pesto, try Lemon Artichoke Pesto Pasta and Lemon Artichoke Pesto Pasta.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- The combination of creamy pistachio pesto, sweet pear slices, and tangy balsamic glaze creates a mouthwatering taste experience.
- You can quickly whip up this pizza with simple, fresh ingredients and minimal prep time.
- Perfect for a dinner party as an appetizer or a casual weeknight meal. Plus, it's vegan, so everyone can enjoy it, and no one will be the wiser!
- The unique flavor combo and elegant presentation will make you look like a culinary master.
Recipe Ingredients
Let's put on our apron and look at the ingredients for this pistachio pesto, pear, and arugula pizza. While this recipe is flexible with quantities, see the recipe card for the suggested measurements.
- Pistachios: Use raw or roasted pistachios as a garnish and in the pistachio pesto. Note that the roasted pistachios result in a stronger flavor.
- Balsamic Glaze Vs. Maple Syrup: You can use either as a topping. Using balsamic glaze adds a sweet, tangy, rich complexity to your pistachio pesto pear pizza, while maple syrup brings a sweet, cozy warmth that I love.
- Mozzarella: In my opinion, Miyoko's mozzarella block has the best flavor and texture for this pizza. I break it up into chunks or slice it thinly. To shred it easily, freeze the block first, as it's too soft to shred otherwise. While the pre-shredded mozzarella version is convenient, I find it less flavorful, and the texture isn't quite as good, but it's a decent option if you're in a pinch.
- Pizza Crust: I like to use the Trader Joe's Pizza crust for convenience (there is no link for it on the Trader Joe's site). Trader Joe's also sells the dough. If you're looking for a vegan, gluten-free pizza crust, try the Trader Joe's Gluten-Free Pizza Crust.
If you love discovering new vegan products and recipe ideas from Trader Joe’s, come join my Trader Joe’s Vegan Recipes & Finds Facebook group! It’s the perfect spot to see what others are making, loving, and grabbing off the shelves each week—and it’s all part of my ongoing Trader Joe’s recipe series featuring quick, easy, plant-based meals made with TJ’s staples like 15-Minute Trader Joe’s Falafel Naan Wrap and Trader Joe’s Ravioli Pasta Salad.
Additions and Variations
- Use the Follow Your Heart Vegan Blue Cheese as a substitute or addition to the vegan mozzarella. It's strong, adding a nice, bold flavor to the pizza. Use sparingly, though - it's potent cheese.
- Skip baking the arugula and add it fresh after the pizza is cooked. Drizzle with balsamic glaze, and voila! You’ve got a delightful salad pizza combo!
- Use Miyoko's liquid mozzarella as a substitute or in addition to the block of mozzarella cheese. While I find it doesn't add much more flavor, it adds a pretty element to the pizza when drizzled over the top.
How To Make Pear and Pistachio Pesto Pizza
Follow the pictures below to see what you'll be doing. See the recipe card for details.
Step 1: Saute the onions in olive oil for 10 to 15 minutes until they become caramelized. Stir occasionally to keep them from burning.
Step 2: While the onions are cooking, prepare the pistachio pesto. This takes five minutes.
Step 3: Brush a little olive oil on the pizza. Then, spread a layer of pesto, caramelized onions, pears, arugula, and vegan mozzarella.
Step 4: Place on a pizza pan, baking sheet, or for a crisper crust, directly on an oven rack or pizza stone. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown edges appear. Top with balsamic glaze or maple syrup and some soaked and drained pistachios.
Recipe Tips
- If you're allergic to nuts or want to avoid them, use Sunflower Seed Pesto as an alternative to the pistachio pesto.
- Use a mandoline to slice the pear into perfectly thin slices that cook perfectly in the oven in 10 minutes.
- I break up the vegan mozzarella into chunks and shredded it. To shred the Miyoko's mozzarella block, freeze it for a few hours.
- This recipe is flexible, so you can easily adjust the quantities to suit your taste.
Ripe Pears
Pick a pear that is ready to eat when it gives slightly to gentle pressure near the stem. If the area around the stem feels soft and yields a bit, it's ripe and ready to enjoy.
Serving Suggestions
Pizza is usually all you need to achieve ultimate life satisfaction. But if you’re feeling extra fancy, here are some serving suggestions:
- Pair with Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad or a simple side salad. Use this delicious Classic French Salad Dressing to top it off.
- Garlic Bread
- For those days when you want to feel like you're in a cozy café, try it with Vegan White Lasagna Soup or One Pot Vegan Minestrone.
- Enjoy a fruit salad on the side to experience the delightful contrast of warm and cold flavors.
- Top it off with a dessert like Vegan Chocolate Pudding Parfait.
Storage and Reheating
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay well for up to 3 days.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the pizza slices on a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes or until heated and crispy.
- Pop the pizza slice in a skillet over medium heat. Cover with a lid and cook for 5-7 minutes until warm and the crust is nice and crispy.
- For a quick fix, microwave your slice on a microwave-safe plate for 1-2 minutes. Not as crispy, but still delicious!
Recipe FAQS
Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat by baking at 350°F for 10 minutes, cooking in a covered skillet for 5-7 minutes, or microwaving for 1-2 minutes.
Pear and Pistachio Pesto Pizza
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Trader Joe's Pizza crusts or any pizza crust you want
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 medium yellow onion sliced thin
- 1 batch pistachio pesto
- 1 Bosc pear thinly sliced*
- 1 cup arugula
- ½ cup vegan mozzarella ~½ of a block of Miyokos Mozzarella**
- ½ cup crushed roasted and salted pistachios soaked for 10-15 minutes
- drizzle of maple syrup or balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Prepare: Preheat the oven to 475°F (250°C). Soak the pistachios in warm water for 15 minutes while you prepare the following.
- Caramelize Onions: Add two to three tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a medium pan. Cook onions, stirring frequently, for 10 - 15 minutes until they begin to caramelize and turn golden.
- Make Pesto: Make this easy 5-minute in a food processor while cooking onions.
- Assemble and Bake: Prepare the pizza crust by lightly brushing the top of the crust with oil. Spread pesto evenly over the crust. Top with caramelized onions, arugula, pears, and vegan mozzarella. Place on a pizza pan, baking sheet, or for a crisper crust directly on oven rack or stone, and bake for 10 minutes until the edges begin to golden.
- Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and top with soaked and drained crushed pistachios, balsamic glaze, or maple syrup. You can also top it with fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately.
Shelly says
I was skeptical when my boyfriend said he was making this at first but it was so good! Loved the combo of flavors. It was also super easy and fast to make. Thanks for the recipe.
Regi Pearce says
That's wonderful to hear Shelly! Thanks for the comment and so glad you loved it.