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.
Table of Contents
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 ½ 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.
Here’s another way to prepare asparagus. Check out this sous vide asparagus recipe.
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.
Working with frozen dough? Frozen premade pizza crust can also be used for this recipe. Just use the same toppings and use the cooking directions from that guide.
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.
Check out other great Spring recipes here!
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.
More recipes using Trader Joe’s ingredients
Are you a Trader Joe’s enthusiast, too? I love planning grocery trips to Trader Joe’s. It’s almost like a vacation… strolling up and down the aisles to discover new things. When I come home, I’m inspired to develop new recipes.
My best recipes using Trader Joe’s products end up here on Sip Bite Go…
- Cauliflower Rice. Use it in place of bread crumbs in Hawaiian pineapple bbq meatballs and as a filling for cheesy Italian stuffed peppers. Also try it in a vegetable stir fry with cauliflower rice.
- Ready Made Pizza Dough. I’m a huge fan of making pizza at home and have extensive information on how to use Trader Joe’s Pizza Dough.
- Frozen Pizza Crust. Learn how to make frozen pizza crust taste amazing.
- Everything But The Bagel Seasoning. This is super delicious on focaccia bread with Everything Bagel Seasoning.
- Frozen Gyoza and Potstickers. These are great in frozen vegetable stir frys. See my guide to Trader Joe’s chicken cilantro mini wontons or Trader Joe’s vegetable gyoza.
- Frozen Ravioli. Sometimes I just serve it with tomato sauce. Other times, I go a little nuts and make ravioli pizza with store bought Alfredo sauce.
- Spice Kits. Did you know you can buy Trader Joe’s products online? This Trader Joe’s spice kit inspires so many recipes in my house.
- Cheese. The cheese case at Trader Joe’s is undeniably amazing. Use it for potatoes gratin with frozen vegetables, this recipe for baked shells with ground beef, or in potato side dish recipes.
See more of the best meals to make with Trader Joe’s ingredients and my full list of Trader Joe’s must haves.
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.
- Use homemade spinach basil pesto — it’s so easy to make!
- 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
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.
Asparagus Pizza with Pesto and Caramelized Onions Recipe (Sip Bite Go)
Ingredients
- 1 pizza dough partially cooked (bought pre-made or cooked using my recipe – see notes)
- ½ onion
- 1.5 tbsp olive oil divided
- ½ bunch asparagus thin
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper
- ½ tbsp garlic
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp pesto
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tbsp basil fresh diced
Instructions
- 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)
- 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.
- Sauté the asparagus. Trim ends off asparagus. Heat a pan to medium, add asparagus and ½ 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.
- 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.
- Assemble the pizza. Add the mozzarella, caramelized onions and asparagus to the pizza. Bake the asparagus pizza for 5-10 minutes, until cheese melts.
- Finish the pizza. Sprinkle the asparagus pizza with parmesan cheese and basil then serve.
Video
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.
kim says
Love how easy and flavorful this recipe is! Will be making again and again!
Claudia Lamascolo says
I just love this use of asparagus wow its so delicious looking and a great way to get my kids to eat veggies! This is a great idea!
Rosa says
What a simple, yet delicious recipe! Why have I never put asparagus on my pizza??? Genius!
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
I just love the fact you caramelised the onions, they are my fave! What a wonderful flavour they add to things, this pizza looks delicious and I love how easy it is to make!
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes says
This is one good looking pizza! Love the combination of asparagus and pesto – they work a treat together!