Asparagus Pizza with Pesto

Last updated on April 27, 2019

Learn how to make Asparagus Pizza with Pesto. This recipe for asparagus pizza is one of my favorite unique pizza recipes. This vegetarian pizza recipe uses asparagus, pesto, mozzarella, parmesan, caramelized onions and premade pizza dough. I’ll show you how to make everything, the easy way, to top your asparagus pizza. Make this gourmet pizza recipe for brunch, a party app, or as an easy dinner recipe.

In my house, we never utter the phrase: “I’m tired of pizza”.

That’s because we’re always coming up with interesting pizza recipes – like this one for asparagus pizza with pesto and caramelized onions!

It’s an easy and refreshing vegetarian pizza.

Although, you can always add some prosciutto if you want to add meat.

Step by step guide to making asparagus pizza

To start on the toppings for this asparagus pizza, caramelize the onion.

Cut onion into 1” slices. Heat a pan to medium-high and add 1 tbsp olive oil.

Add onion slices, stirring regularly until browned, about 10 minutes. If the onion begins to burn, add a little butter. Once the onion is caramelized, set aside.

Cooking asparagus for asparagus pizza

Heat a pan to medium, add asparagus and 1/2 tbsp olive oil. Add salt, pepper and crushed red pepper. Stir for 3 minutes. Add garlic, stir for one minute, and remove asparagus from the pan and set aside. Reserve the oil in the pan.

How to make pesto sauce for asparagus pizza

This recipe starts with store bough pesto, and adds a couple ingredients to turn it into a buttery sauce.

Add butter and pesto to the pan that was used to cook the asparagus. It will soak up the extra garlic and olive oil from the pan, adding a ton of flavor.

Cook on medium-low until butter melts.

Spread the pesto mixture on the pre-made dough.

For my asparagus pizza, I used par-baked pizza dough from Trader Joe’s.

If you’re starting with fresh dough, see my tips on how to make pizza with store bought dough.

Add the mozzarella, caramelized onions and asparagus to the pizza.

Bake the asparagus pizza for 5-10 minutes at 450 degrees, until cheese melts.

Sprinkle the asparagus pizza with parmesan cheese and basil.

Enjoy!

How to know when the pizza is done cooking

When the asparagus pizza is done cooking, the mozzarella will be completely melted, and the pizza dough will be crispy on the bottom.

When is the best season for asparagus pizza?

Asparagus is usually available year-round. However, the harvest season for asparagus is the Spring. Making asparagus pizza the perfect gourmet pizza recipe for the Spring.

Where to cut asparagus

Asparagus will naturally break where the ends should be cut off, about 1.5 inches from the bottom. To cut the asparagus, snap the asparagus stalk where it naturally wants to break. This will separate the edible vegetable flesh from the plant base.

Tasty tips and notes for making asparagus pizza with pesto

• The thinner the asparagus, the better. Thin asparagus cooks faster and is easier to cut on the pizza.
• If using thick asparagus, cut it into 1.5″ sections before cooking. This will make the asparagus bite-size and easier to eat on the pizza.
• Caramelized onion is delicious on this asparagus pizza with pesto! Make a couple onions and save the leftovers for salads or scrambled eggs.
• If you’re working with fresh pizza dough, see this recipe on how to make pizza at home with store bought dough. It will teach you how to par-bake the dough. Then you can top it with asparagus pizza toppings.
• See directions for how to turn regular store bought pesto into a sauce, using butter and olive oil, for this recipe.
• To mince fresh garlic, I use this handy dandy tool.

More tasty pizza recipes

• Making Pizza At Home with Store Bought Dough
• Pear and Goat Cheese Pizza

Let me know when you make this asparagus pizza with pesto. Be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe. It means so much to hear from Sip Bite Go readers and I love seeing photos of your food! Don’t forget to tag me @sipbitego on Instagram so I can see how the recipe turned out. For more ideas you’ll love, sign up for the Sip Bite Go newsletter.

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Asparagus Pizza with Pesto and Caramelized Onions Recipe (Sip Bite Go)

Learn how to make Asparagus Pizza with Pesto and Caramelized Onions. This recipe for asparagus pesto pizza is one of my favorite easy unique pizza recipes. This vegetarian pizza recipe uses asparagus, pesto, mozzarella, parmesan, caramelized onions and premade pizza dough. I'll show you how to make everything, the easy way, to top your asparagus pizza. Make this gourmet pizza recipe for brunch, a party app, or as an easy dinner recipe.

Course Dinner, Main Course, Main Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Servings 4 people

Calories 482 kcal

Author Jenna Passaro

Ingredients

• 1 pizza dough partially cooked (bought pre-made or cooked using my recipe - see notes)
• 1/2 onion
• 1.5 tbsp olive oil divided
• 1/2 bunch asparagus thin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
• 1/2 tbsp garlic
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp pesto
• 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese
• 2 tbsp parmesan cheese grated
• 1 tbsp basil fresh diced

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 450 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper, set partially baked dough on it, and set aside while you make the asparagus pizza toppings. (note: based on your pre-made dough, you may want to add a drizzle of olive oil under the dough)

2. Caramelize the onion. Cut onion into 1” slices. Heat a pan to medium-high and add 1 tbsp olive oil. Add onions, stirring regularly until browned, about 10 minutes. If the onion begins to burn, add a little butter. Set aside.

3. Sauté the asparagus. Trim ends off asparagus. Heat a pan to medium, add asparagus and 1/2 tbsp olive oil. Add salt, pepper and crushed red pepper. Stir for 3 minutes. Add garlic, stir for one minute, and remove asparagus from the pan and set aside. Reserve the oil in the pan. 

4. Prep the pesto. Add butter and pesto to the pan that was used to cook the asparagus. Cook on medium-low until butter melts. Using a spatula, spread the pesto mixture on the pre-made dough. 

5. Assemble the pizza. Add the mozzarella, caramelized onions and asparagus to the pizza. Bake the asparagus pizza for 5-10 minutes, until cheese melts. 

6. Finish the pizza. Sprinkle the asparagus pizza with parmesan cheese and basil then serve. 

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

• The thinner the asparagus, the better. Thin asparagus cooks faster and is easier to cut on the pizza.
• If using thick asparagus, cut it into 1.5" sections before cooking. This will make the asparagus bite-size and easier to eat on the pizza.
• Caramelized onion is delicious on this asparagus pizza with pesto! Make a couple onions and save the leftovers for salads or scrambled eggs.
• If you're working with fresh pizza dough, see this recipe for making pizza at home with store bought dough. It will teach you how to par-bake the dough. Then you can top it with asparagus pizza toppings.
• See directions for how to turn regular store bought pesto into a sauce, using butter and olive oil, for this recipe.
• To mince fresh garlic, I use this handy dandy tool. 

Nutrition Facts

Asparagus Pizza with Pesto and Caramelized Onions Recipe (Sip Bite Go)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 482 Calories from Fat 198

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 22g 34%

Saturated Fat 9g 45%

Cholesterol 42mg 14%

Sodium 1658mg 69%

Potassium 165mg 5%

Total Carbohydrates 52g 17%

Dietary Fiber 3g 12%

Sugars 8g

Protein 19g 38%

Vitamin A 20%

Vitamin C 5.4%

Calcium 26.4%

Iron 22.4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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