Rustic Three Cheese Pesto Spinach Flatbread Pizza Recipe
Melted cheese and vibrant pesto dance together on a crispy three cheese pesto spinach flatbread pizza that promises a flavor explosion.
This Italian-inspired creation blends rich, creamy cheeses with earthy spinach and herbaceous basil notes.
The combination delivers a perfect balance of textures and tastes in every single bite.
Homemade flatbread serves as the ideal canvas for these mouthwatering ingredients.
Each slice offers a delightful medley of melted mozzarella, tangy parmesan, and smooth ricotta.
Drizzled with fragrant pesto and topped with fresh spinach, this pizza turns an ordinary meal into a gourmet experience.
Grab your favorite ingredients and get ready to savor every delectable moment.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Total Time: 30min
Calories: 368 kcal
Servings: 3
Ingredients for Three Cheese Pesto Flatbread
For Base Ingredients:
Garlic Naan Flatbread: Provides a crispy, flavor-packed foundation that elevates the entire pizza experience.
Butter: Creates a rich, golden base for sautéing and adds depth to the overall dish.
For Cheese Blend:
Parmesan Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Feta Cheese: Deliver a trio of tangy, creamy, and sharp flavor profiles that melt beautifully and create a luxurious cheese experience.
For Flavor Enhancers:
Fresh Spinach: Adds vibrant green color, nutritional boost, and earthy undertones to the flatbread.
Garlic: Infuses an aromatic punch that complements the cheese and creates a robust flavor base.
Heavy Cream: Brings a silky smooth texture and helps bind the spinach mixture.
Pesto: Introduces a bright, herbaceous note that cuts through the richness of the cheeses.
Salt: Balances and heightens the overall flavor profile of the dish.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Provides a subtle heat and adds a zesty finish to the flatbread.
Flatbread-Making Tools You’ll Want Handy
Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping spinach and garlic.
Chef's Knife: Sharp blade for precise chopping and mincing.
Deep Pan: Essential for sautéing spinach and creating creamy sauce.
Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients.
Measuring Tablespoon: Accurate for measuring butter and ingredients.
Grater: Needed for shredding parmesan, mozzarella cheeses.
Baking Sheet: Lined with foil for easy pizza preparation and baking.
Oven Mitts: Protect hands when handling hot baking sheet.
How to Bake a Cheesy Pesto Pizza
Flavor Fusion Flatbread
Kitchen Preparation Warm your cooking space and gather your favorite culinary tools. Set the oven to a toasty 350°F, creating the perfect environment for delicious magic.
Spinach Sensation Gently sauté fresh spinach with fragrant garlic in a buttery pan. Watch the leaves dance and transform into a tender, silky mixture that whispers gourmet elegance.
Creamy Transformation Introduce rich heavy cream and parmesan, stirring until the sauce becomes luxuriously thick. Let the ingredients mingle and develop deep, complex flavors.
Flatbread Canvas Spread the vibrant spinach mixture across a golden garlic naan, creating a delectable base that promises incredible taste experiences.
Cheese Symphony Generously shower mozzarella and feta across the surface, ensuring every bite delivers creamy, tangy notes. Drizzle emerald green pesto for an herbal accent.
Baking Brilliance Slide your creation into the preheated oven, allowing golden edges and bubbling cheese to signal culinary perfection. A quick broil adds irresistible caramelized highlights.
Finishing Flourish Sprinkle crushed red pepper for a playful kick, transforming your flatbread into a masterpiece ready to delight adventurous taste buds.
Tips for Cheese Combos and Crispy Edges
Replace garlic naan with whole wheat tortillas, cauliflower crust, or store-bought pizza dough for delightful texture variations.
Sprinkle cooked chicken, crispy bacon bits, or crumbled Italian sausage on top to transform this vegetarian flatbread into a hearty meal.
Experiment with different cheese combinations like gouda, fontina, or blue cheese to create unique flavor profiles that elevate the traditional recipe.
Chop fresh basil, oregano, or parsley and scatter over the hot flatbread right after baking to add a burst of vibrant, aromatic freshness that brightens every bite.
Prepare the spinach cream sauce and chop ingredients in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator for up to two days, which saves time during busy weeknight cooking.
Serving Hot Off the Oven
Gourmet Game Night Centerpiece: Transform this flatbread into a stunning party appetizer by cutting it into small triangular slices, perfect for sharing with friends during movie or game nights.
Elegant Salad Companion: Pair this cheesy flatbread with a crisp mixed green salad drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy flavors of the pizza.
Wine and Dine Pairing: Complement the three-cheese pesto spinach flatbread with a chilled glass of crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light Sauvignon Blanc to enhance the herb and cheese notes.
Mediterranean Mezze Spread: Create a colorful Mediterranean-style spread by serving the flatbread alongside hummus, olives, cucumber salad, and marinated artichoke hearts for a diverse and flavorful meal experience.
Storage Suggestions for Leftover Flatbread
Quick Fridge Storage: Transfer any leftover flatbread pizza to an airtight container, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. The cold environment helps maintain the cheese and pesto's quality without compromising taste.
Smart Reheating Technique: Revive cold slices by using a preheated oven at 375°F for 5-7 minutes. This method restores the crispy naan texture and melts the cheese beautifully, making leftovers taste almost freshly baked.
Freezing Friendly Option: Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe bag. Frozen flatbread pizzas can last up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
Prep-Ahead Strategy: Chop spinach and prepare cheese mixtures in advance, storing separately in sealed containers. This kitchen hack saves time and allows quick assembly when hunger strikes, perfect for busy weeknights or unexpected guests.
Homemade three cheese pesto spinach flatbread pizza delivers Mediterranean flavors with creamy mozzarella, sharp parmesan, and tangy feta. Crisp flatbread provides perfect canvas for herbal pesto and fresh spinach, satisfying weekend cravings for comfort cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
5 oz (141 g) fresh spinach
2 oz (57 g) mozzarella cheese, grated
¼ cup (60 ml) freshly grated parmesan cheese
2 tbsps feta cheese, crumbled
¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream (room temperature)
1 garlic naan flatbread
1 tbsp butter
1 clove garlic, smashed and minced
1–2 tsps pesto
1/8–¼ tsp salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, for topping
Instructions
Preheat Preparation: Heat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for optimal heat distribution.
Ingredient Preparation: Finely chop spinach leaves and mince garlic cloves with precision for even cooking and flavor integration.
Sauté Foundation: Melt butter in a pan over medium-high heat, developing a rich golden color and nutty essence.
Creamy Spinach Development: Combine garlic and spinach in the heated pan, sautéing until leaves soften and release their vibrant green hue. Introduce heavy cream and parmesan, reducing heat to create a luxurious, velvety sauce with gentle stirring.
Flatbread Assembly: Cool the spinach cream mixture briefly, then lavishly spread across naan flatbread. Layer mozzarella and feta cheeses comprehensively, ensuring complete surface coverage.
Flavor Enhancement: Artfully drizzle pesto across the cheese-laden flatbread, creating an appetizing visual and flavor profile.
Baking Process: Place flatbread in preheated oven, baking for 12 minutes until edges crisp and turn golden. Activate broiler for an additional 1-2 minutes to caramelize cheese and develop a bubbling, appetizing surface.
Final Touch: Remove from oven and sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes to introduce a zesty, spicy finish to the flatbread pizza.
Notes
Prep Like a Pro: Chop spinach and garlic uniformly for even cooking and balanced flavor distribution.
Sauce Mastery: Slowly simmer cream sauce to prevent burning and achieve perfect consistency, stirring constantly.
Cheese Layer Strategy: Spread cheeses evenly to ensure every bite has a balanced mix of mozzarella, feta, and parmesan.
Crisp and Golden Technique: Watch broiler carefully during final 1-2 minutes to achieve golden brown edges without burning the flatbread.
Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.
Sophie Martin
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Education
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.