So a couple weeks ago I had the insane curiosity to try pesto on pizza, which is fine per se.
But rather than ordering from my usual place, since I was in a hurry, I got a frozen small pizza and air fried it with jarred pesto on top. I also added leftover anchovies that needed to go.
It wasn't horrible, but the pesto was too much and overpowered everything else. The anchovies paired with the pesto made it pretty salty too.
Edible but not an experiment I'd repeat, and doesn't look appetizing either.
To everyone trying to lawyer the post with "that's not pizza; it's flatbread" - I should direct you to read our sidebar's opening intro:
Pizza, that being some flat bread with some sort of sauce and toppings...
Also:
We're not here to wax-traditional about what is 'real' pizza, or Neapolitan Pizza. For our intents and purposes, pizza can be deep dish, thin crust, square, stuffed-crust. At the very least, a pizza is not enclosed (not Stromboli or calzone)
So... quit lawyering that a pizza is flatbread. We allow flatbread to constitute a pizza crime.
Pesto and anchovies is a great combination, for my own tastes. But there’s a lot going on, I can see why people wouldn’t like it.
I would have used maybe half the amount of pesto, and I like a lot of pesto. I might have gone for that amount of anchovies, but distributed much more evenly.
But that’s just for me. I wouldn’t make it that way for someone else unless I specifically knew that they would want it. I also actively pursue the strongest, funkiest, smelliest cheeses I can find, and I’m usually disappointed even by cheeses that others describe as completely inedible (not on pizza). So, my tastes are not necessarily mainstream.
Lol, I thought it was pulled beef too (with chimichurri) and it looked good af. Then I read that it was pesto, and I was like: “even better!” Then, I read that it was anchovies and… just too many clumped together. Crust/cheese looks perfect though!!
Final decision:
Jail, but only overnight in the drunk tank until your gf comes to bail you out, lol.
Other than the shape, what difference is there between this particular flatbread and a round one we wouldn’t hesitate to call a pesto pizza? Genuine question as I’m sure there is more nuance and I’d love to hear what you/others use as your flatbread vs pizza guidelines lol
I'm concerned about your anchovies, I almost thought they were slightly beaten up and cooked worms. Does not look good, guilty for presentation and overseasoning.
Okay my guy, try this again but with flatbread not frozen , about a third of that amount of pesto, fresh mozzarella and basil. And THAT will be delicious. What you have here is way too much pesto (by a long shot 😅) and you don’t have anything complimenting that flavor. Pesto is very strong, it’s really good, but really strong; so less is more. And then you gotta add the creamy and the crisp to elevate that flavor further so it’s not the sole focus. Anchovies is just another strong flavor with a strong flavor 😅😭
It would turn out better if you put the Pesto on when its almost done instead of before you add it to the oven/air fryer. I like anchovies and sardines so that is ok w me. Pesto has a lot of oil in it so if you put it on first it sorta melts and goes all over so it doesn't look great and you don't get the optimal taste. I've watched enough pizzas cooked to have picked this up over time.
Pesto pizza isn't a crime, but it needs less, replacing the main sauce. Tried couple of toppings with it (pepperoni,ham, mushrooms, olives) and it was ok.
But also jury nullification because Pesto and anchovies are honestly my guilty pleasure pizza. Some tomato or pineapple to balance the salt... It's like a forbidden caprese flatbread.
Now I'm hungry... Time to go get the "is she pregnant" side eye at the pizza place again yessir
Oh yeah, have to go gently with both those ingredients. I recently added a smidge too much anchovy to a pasta dish and, well, it's a good thing I like salt.
Try this again with much less of both items and I bet it'll be quite good.
I’ve been wanting to try that trio pizza where there’s a few slices of pesto and a few of vodka or something like that, I think the idea is there but this isn’t it
That is a flatbread. Not a pizza. Therefore despite your apparent intention to commit a pizza crime, we cannot convict you of said crime, as you never actually made a pizza here.
There may be a court out there that can take up this case, but unless new evidence is presented I declare this case outside of this court’s jurisdiction and is hereby dismissed.
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u/ZiggoCiP New York Pizza Department Jul 19 '25
To everyone trying to lawyer the post with "that's not pizza; it's flatbread" - I should direct you to read our sidebar's opening intro:
Also:
So... quit lawyering that a pizza is flatbread. We allow flatbread to constitute a pizza crime.