Pesto Margherita Naan Pizza

Pizza officially just got super easy. I’m talkin’ store bought naan, store bought pesto, some cheese, sliced tomato, basil, bam. You done. And it just so happens to taste as delicious as those homemade, more complicated, and time consuming pizzas.

Listen, I’m all bout dat homemade pizza. I love making pizza dough, and I love the process of everyone customizing their own pizzas just how they want. But there is a time and place for that and a time in place for a super quick and simple (but just as yummy) little pizza like this. And the flavors we are able to get here from just a handful of ingredients is crazy!

Now, calling this a Margherita pizza is a bit of a stretch. First of all, it has pesto, which is non-traditional. It also has ricotta and parmesan alongside the traditional mozzarella. BUT – it tastes Margherita-y enough that I decided to be a rebel and call it that anyway. We can call it a “new and improved” version becaauussee since when does pesto and two extra cheeses not make something even better? Exactly.

We make this whole process even easier by using whole grain naan. It should be in the bakery section of your grocery store, and it comes in a pack of two pretty large little naan ovals. Naan is surprisingly delicious as a pizza crust! It does the trick without you sitting there kneading and kneading for 15 minutes. Again, love making pizza crust, but there’s a time and place. And its time and place isn’t a busy weeknight where you’re rushing to get a dinner made and on the table, nahmean? Or…naanmean? Lolol. Don’t judge me.

Can you do me a solid and pretend I didn’t burn the bajesus out of the crusts of these naan pizzas? Thanks. You da best. On a totally unrelated note, when it says to broil the pizza for a few minutes at the end, keep an eye on it and don’t walk away and do ten things before forgetting about it and coming back.

This pizza was still bomb.com delicious even with some slightly burnt crust…the editing makes it look more burnt than it really is…promise 😬.

Okay, let’s get to talkin’ pizza deets here.

The crust. You can use whole wheat pita rounds if you want. They are smaller, so you’ll have to adjust the recipe a bit to size it down, but it would still be very tasty. I like naan a little more than pita bread, though. It’s softer and a bit chewier, where pita (at least the store bought kind that I’ve used in the past) seems to be a bit drier and tougher.

The toppings. I take a short a BIG short cut here and use store bought pesto. That saves me time, effort, ingredients, and dishes (cleaning the food processor = no bueno). I really like DeLallo brand for pesto! After that we’ve just got some ricotta cheese, fresh mozzarella, and parmesan. Top it off with a few slices of fresh tomato and finish with sliced basil, and you’ve got yourself a super simple and SUPER flavorful pizza!

You can totally switch this up too and add whatever you want. You can make it more traditional and add tomato sauce instead of pesto. I really like to use non-tomato bases for pizza, though – things like pesto, a white sauce, or even some infused olive oil. Experiment! Keep life interesting!

You guys. I have four words for you. Four life changing, world altering words. Baby. Merlin’s. Magic. Sleepsuit. Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuiiittttttt, oh my gash. I am going to find the inventor of this ridiculous looking little sleepsuit and give him the biggest hug ever and three loaves of pumpkin bread.

I talked about it briefly in my last post because I had ordered it but hadn’t gotten it in yet. Quick recap – it’s for when babies are breaking out of their swaddles and don’t want their arms pinned down anymore, but also still need something because they jerk and wake themselves up. So it’s a SUPER PUFFY marshmallow suit that inhibits some of their movement but lets their arms be “out.”

It basically has worked magical amazing wonders for Ford. He hasn’t slept alone for weeks because he just straight up won’t sleep. And even when he is sleeping with me, he wakes up a lot. BUT – enter said magic sleepsuit (aptly named, might I say). For the last two nights since it came in the mail, he has slept alllllll night long in his own bed. PRAISE THE LAWD.

And his naps are way better. He napped in his crib alone without me holding him for a few thirty minute increments today – not great but better than before. But if he’s napping in my arms, he will pass out for at least an hour and a half for the most part. BEST PURCHASE OF MY LIFE.

Hello, sleep, my old friend. How have you been? Want some pesto margherita pizza? Let’s hang out – I’ve missed you.

This recipe has 11 smart points per serving!

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If you make this or any of my other recipes, be sure to Instagram it and hashtag #thegarlicdiaries!

In the mood for more yummy pizza recipes? Check these out:

Cheesy Pizza with Lemon Arugula

Loaded 21 Day Fix Pizza

Easy French Bread Pizza