Treat yourself to this scrumptious Kale Pizza! This easy recipe features a double dose of this tasty green: in the homemade kale pesto sauce and in the yummy topping. Paired with flavorful fresh tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, and feta, this is one pizza you won't be able to resist!
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I once had someone tell me that it was impossible to like (let alone love) kale. He just did not believe me when I said it was one of my favorite vegetables.
Well, I guess that means more for me and you! Personally, I can't get enough. And there are so many ways delicious ways to use this leafy, green veggie, from salads to soups to lasagna ... yes, even pizza.
If you've never had kale on pizza before, you are in for a treat ... it's so delicious! And this tasty Kale Pizza actually delivers a double dose with both kale pesto sauce and a garlicky sautéed kale topping! Plus, a few other flavorful ingredients—including tomatoes, olives, and feta—that turn this pizza into a total treat!
Ready to try this yummy recipe for yourself? Then keep reading for all the details!
Ingredients
You can find the ingredients for this pizza in any grocery store. Here's what you'll need:
- Kale - You get double dose of kale in this recipe! This recipe uses my Homemade Kale Pesto as a base (it's super simple to make), plus fresh kale cooked in olive oil and garlic for the topping. Yum!
- Tomatoes - Sweet grape tomatoes add a bright flavor to the finished pizza that's so delish. Cherry tomatoes would also work.
- Olives - Kalamata olives add a wonderful salty, savory flavor. Feel free to substitute your favorite olives, if you prefer.
- Cheese - A combo of shredded mozzarella and crumbled feta cheese is the perfect finishing touch!
- Pizza Dough - To keeps things easy, I usually use store bought pizza dough. Many grocery stores have bags in their deli sections, or if you have an Italian grocery store (or pizza place) nearby, you can probably get it from there. Of course, you can always make it from scratch, too.
You'll Also Need
To make this recipe, you'll also need a large skillet with a lid to cook the greens, and a food processor to make the pesto. And of course, you'll want to get out your pizza pan (a baking sheet also works in a pinch). If you need a new one, I can't recommend this nonstick pizza pan enough ... I love mine!
Home to Make Kale Pizza
This recipe has a few steps, but it's super simple to make! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps:
- Make the pesto. Start by finely chopping the garlic and walnuts in your food processor. Add the kale, olive oil, and Parmesan, plus a little lemon juice and salt, then blend everything together until your sauce is smooth. Taste the pesto, then season with lemon juice and salt to taste (the flavors should pop!). Set aside.
- Sauté the kale. Heat a little olive oil, fresh garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes in a large skillet. When that starts sizzling and smells good, add the kale. Drizzle a couple tablespoons of water into the skillet, then cover the pan immediately. Steam the kale until it's tender ... it should take about five to six minutes. Season to taste.
- Stretch dough. Spread the pizza dough on a large pan (mine is 14-inches) using your hands. If it won't hold its shape, let it rest for a few minutes before continuing to spread it.
- Add toppings. Top dough with pesto, then mozzarella. Add kale, feta, grape tomatoes (cut side up to keep the pizza from getting soggy), and olives. Top with more mozzarella. Tip: Cut your feta in cubes, rather than crumbling it, for a more concentrated flavor.
- Bake pizza. Pop your pizza into your preheated oven, then bake it until the crust is golden brown. It should take about 15 to 20 minutes. The cheese on top should have a little color when it's done, too.
That's all there is to it ... your homemade Kale Pizza recipe is ready to eat. Doesn't it look gorgeous? And rest assured, this pizza tastes even better than it looks. Yum!
Tip: if you're planning to make this recipe on a busy weeknight, prep the pesto and sautéed kale ahead of time.
Variations
This delicious Kale Pesto Pizza is super easy to customize according to your tastes or the ingredients you have on hand! Here are some suggestions:
- Sauce - This recipe is a great way to use up leftovers, so if you have another kind of pesto on hand, feel free to use that instead. You could also use a traditional tomato pizza sauce if you prefer.
- Veggies - Change things up by adding your fave veggies, like garlicky fried mushrooms, sautéed zucchini, or roasted butternut squash or sweet potatoes. You could also substitute different greens, such as chard or spinach, for the kale.
- Cheese - Top this pizza with your fave cheese. Goat cheese, blue cheese, or dollops of ricotta would be delicious instead of feta. You could also mix the mozzarella with some Parmesan, provolone, or even cheddar.
- Keep it 100% Green - If you're truly a kale lover, turn this into a Green Pizza by skipping the other veggies. You could even add other green veggies, like broccoli, romesco, or zucchini.
Serving Suggestions
This veggie-packed pizza makes an excellent dinner all on its own. If you'd like to round out your meal though, serve it with a Quick Chopped Salad, or for something super light, a refreshing Watermelon Salad. If you have even more kale to use up, pair it with this Massaged Kale Salad. This easy Garlic Bread (or Cheesy Garlic Bread) would also be tasty.
Related Recipes
If you love kale on pizza, make sure to check out my Roasted Fall Vegetable Pizza, too ... it also features this delicious green veggie! And you'll also want to make this Kale Pesto Pasta, which uses the same sauce. It would be the perfect way to use up the leftovers from this pizza! Looking for more pizza recipes? Try one of these next:
- Pesto Base - Try this Mediterranean Pizza, Roasted Pumpkin Pizza, Pesto, Feta, and Veggie Pizza, or this Green Pizza (one of my most popular recipes)!
- White Pizza - Make my favorite Caprese Pizza or this irresistible White Pizza with Broccoli and Ricotta.
- Unique Techniques + Toppings - Learn how to make Grilled Pizza with my step by step guide, or treat yourself to this sweet - savory Gorgonzola Pear Pizza!
P.S. Are you a pesto lover? My How to Use Pesto article has over 30 recipe ideas, plus more variations on your fave sauce!
Kale Pizza
Ingredients
For Kale Pesto:
- 1 large clove garlic
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- 2 cups chopped kale (packed)
- â…“ cup extra virgin olive oil
- â…“ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 to 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
For Sautéed Kale:
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- kosher salt
- 6 cups chopped kale
For Pizza:
- nonstick cooking spray
- 1 ball pizza dough
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
- ½ pint grapes tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup halved kalamata olives
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Prepare Pesto:
- Pulse walnuts and garlic clove in a food processor until finely chopped.
- Add kale, olive oil, Parmesan, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and salt. Process until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Taste, then season with additional lemon juice and salt, if desired. Set aside.
Prepare Kale:
- Combine olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt in a large skillet over medium heat.
- When garlic is sizzling and fragrant, mix in kale.
- Add 2 tablespoons of water to the kale mixture, then cover pan immediately. Steam kale for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until tender.
- Remove lid from kale, then continue cooking for another minute, or until all excess water evaporates. Season to taste with salt, then set aside.
Prepare Pizza:
- Spray a large pizza pan lightly with nonstick cooking spray (or coat very lightly with olive oil). Top with pizza dough, then use your hands to spread dough across pan.
- Spread half the pesto over the crust (save the rest for another use). Then, top with 1 ½ cups mozzarella, sautéed kale, feta, grape tomatoes, olives, and remaining ½ cup mozzarella (in that order).
- Bake pizza for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until crust is golden.
- Cut pizza into wedges, then serve hot. Enjoy!
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Notes
Nutrition
This was soooo good!! Really easy and delicious!
I'm so glad you enjoyed the pizza, Wanda! 🙂