• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Hunger Thirst Play

Delicious Recipes for Every Season

  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • eBooks
  • Work with Me
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • eBooks
  • Work with Me
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • About
    • eBooks
    • Work with Me
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Hunger

    Kale & Spinach Pesto on Grilled Flatbread Pizza

    By Lauren on May 27, 2017, Updated April 27, 2021 8 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Life is all about balance right? We try to live a balanced life. Drink lots of water. Track steps on your FitBit. Eat kale.

    This Kale & Spinach Pesto is my current balance. Balancing me to be totally ok for situations like when weeks are crazy, grocery shopping is undone, full meal supplies are scare and take out is an effective option. That was this week, and this Kale & Spinach Pesto saved the day so hard it should've worn a cape.

    Kale & Spinach Pesto Grilled Flatbread

    An easier approach to kale

    If you can't yet commit to full blown kale craziness, but want to incorporate more of this fiber loaded green into your diet, baby kale is the perfect softer, gentler, version. Like hugs of green, superfood goodness.

    Kale & Spinach Pestro Grilled Flatbread

    If you've already accepted this leafy green into your life, try this Best-Ever Braised Kale that's perfect as a side dish to main courses. It's definitely something we eat on a weekly bases in this house. And with the summer months upon us, this round up of 13 cool and tasty salads perfect for spring and summer will have something for everyone. Or for those chilly, rainy Spring days test out this Tuscan Kale White Bean & Sausage Soup.

    Someone once told me that her husband calls kale, "...the lettuce that hurts your teeth." Which not only still makes me laugh when I remember it, but keeps me grounded in that not everyone is so enthusiastic about kale.

    So if you side with this gentleman in feeling this roughage is a little too rough, try the baby kale. Similar in bitterness to arugula with the same crunch factor as spinach. And when you blend it all up with sweet, floral basil, garlic, cheese, olive oil and pine nuts. Then you can put it on things like pizza and salad or this B-E-A-UTIFUL Spinach Gnocchi from Wanderspice.

    Balance, amiright?

    Kale & Spinach Pesto Grilled Flatbread

    Kale & Spinach Pesto

    Pesto is so incredibly easy to make [and eat] and for the green thumbs out there, it's pretty easy to grow in your home garden. Also making it far more cost effective than purchases at the grocer. If you're just starting out your first herb garden, definitely check out this post from Gardner's Path - The Top 5 Mediterranean Herbs: Growing, Eating and Healing - chock full of really great information for a fruitful herb garden.

    Kale & Spinach Pesto Grilled Flatbread

    And food processors....HELLOOO....ah, the. best. Stuff it all in there, pulse until all the leaves, nuts and garlic are minced up and slowly drizzle olive oil in while it blends. Pesto from start to finish in under 5 minutes. When the days are long and the nights are hot, this Kale & Spinach Pesto is the answer to your quick dinner prayers.

    Easy Grilled Whole Wheat Flatbread

    Pizza is such a beautiful invention isn't it? Especially now that there are gluten free options. More pizza for everyone!

    When the weather is super hot though, the idea of turning on the oven is incredibly unappealing. So fire up that grill, because you can have homemade 'naan' style, flatbread pizza on the table in under 20 minutes. AND keep the house nice and cool.

    Kale & Spinach Pesto Grilled Flatbread

    A store bought ball of pizza dough, whether whole wheat or regular, is the saving grace to saving time. Divide the dough in two, and stretch into two round-ish pizzas. Patch up any holes, and try to avoid making the dough super thin as it will burn easier.

    On a nice, hot, clean grill carefully layout both well-floured doughs. It will stick to the grill at first, but as it cooks it will release. A wide, metal spatula is ideal for this if you do not have a pizza peel. About 1 ½ minutes on each side is all you need to prep this flatbread. Once the dough is firm enough to remove from the grill, add your toppings and return to the grill with the heat lowered.

    Because the dough is already mostly cooked, you just want to crisp up the bottom a tad and melt your cheese. Just under 5 minutes and you'll have hot, ready, grilled pizza goodness on the table.

    Baby kale & spinach bring superfood goodness to the traditional basil pesto. An easy, grilled flatbread pizza makes for a quick summertime dinner!

    And with healthy, whole ingredients like baby kale and baby spinach, you should have a cape too because you are the hero of dinner.

    Kale & Spinach Pesto Grilled Flatbread

    Kale & Spinach Pesto Grilled Flatbread

    Kale & Spinach Pesto on Grilled Flatbread Pizza

    A simple, summertime meal!  Baby kale & spinach bring extra green goodness to delicious traditional pesto.  And grilled flatbread pizza makes for a quick, easy dinner that doesn't require turning on an oven.
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Italian
    Keyword: grilled pizza, pesto pizza, summer pizza
    Prep Time: 20 mins
    Cook Time: 8 mins
    Total Time: 28 mins
    Servings: 2 to 4 servings
    Calories: 1289kcal
    Author: Lauren
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    Kale & Spinach Pesto

    • ¼ cup pine nuts
    • 1 cup packed baby kale + baby spinach mix
    • ½ cup packed basil leaves
    • 3 cloves garlic
    • ¼ cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
    • ½ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • pinch of salt

    Grilled Flatbread Pizza - Neapolitan Style

    • 1 pound pizza dough (divided)
    • 1 beefsteak tomato (sliced ¼" to ½" thick)
    • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella (divided)
    • ¾ cup Kale & Spinach Pesto
    • fresh basil for garnish
    •  

    Instructions

    Kale & Spinach Pesto

    • In a food processor, add pine nuts, garlic, parmesan, salt, kale & spinach mix, and basil.  Pulse for 2 minutes until all the leaves are minced.
    • Turn food processor to 'ON' and slowly pour in olive oil.  Continue to process for 1 minute after all olive oil has been added.
    • Transfer to an air-tight storage container.  Basil can be frozen for later use or stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    Grilled Flatbread Pizza - Neapolitan Style

    • Turn on your gas grill to medium-high and clean grates.  Using a silicone brush or an oil coated paper towel, lightly oil the grill.  Let grill heat between 400-450°F.
    • With well-floured hands, divide fresh pizza dough into two balls.  Stretch into two rustic round pizza doughs, floured on both sides, and store on a floured cutting board or flat surface with parchment paper.
    • Carefully lay each pizza dough on the grill.  Dough will stick at first, but will release as it cooks.  Par-cook the dough for 1 ½ minutes on each side.  Remove dough from the grill and turn down the burners to medium low with the lid closed.
    • Divide the Kale & Spinach Pesto between the two par-cooked doughs an spread evenly with a spoon or spatula.  Layer with sliced beefsteak tomatoes.*
    • Divide the fresh mozzarella in half, use one half per pizza dough.  Tear mozzarella into bite sized pieces and scatter over the dough.
    • Return the doughs to the grill and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until dough is browned and cheese is melted.**

    Notes

    *For vibrant tomato flavor, sprinkle beefsteak tomato slices with kosher salt and black pepper before adding to pizza dough.
    **During the second cooking process, check bottom of the dough periodically to ensure the grill is not too hot.  If grill is too hot, dough will burn before cheese has melted.  Pesto may drip off the dough, be careful if grill flares up.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 1289kcal | Carbohydrates: 125g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 67g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 3229mg | Potassium: 489mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 4058IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 739mg | Iron: 8mg

     

    « Gluten Free Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
    Three Layer Chocolate Oreo Cake »
    115 shares
    • Share7
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chelsea Pearl says

      May 30, 2017 at 5:56 pm

      You had me at kale pesto! Any way of tricking my body into consuming more kale is good with me. This dish looks delish!

      Reply
    2. Tilly says

      May 29, 2017 at 2:30 am

      Oh thank you for the pesto recipe, I am sick of the so-called recipes that call for store bought pesto! I've been dying to make my own.

      Reply
      • Lauren says

        May 29, 2017 at 2:29 pm

        My pleasure! I find it much more cost effective than buy that teenie can of super oily pesto. The pine nuts can be a bit pricey, I've found whole foods to surprisingly be the best value per quantity on those. Nothing beats homemade pesto, can't wait for you to try it!

        Reply
    3. Sophie says

      May 28, 2017 at 12:43 pm

      Holy moly this looks amazing! I am sending this immediately to my partner so we can make it!!

      Reply
    4. Lauren says

      May 27, 2017 at 6:18 pm

      Holy shnikeys this looks amazing! Pinning so I remember to try this! Yummy!

      Reply
    5. Mary Burris says

      May 27, 2017 at 3:05 pm

      I'm not a huge fan of kale, but I can see using the other ingredients on this pizza. I bet it is delicious! I love homemade pizza, will have to give this one a try!

      Reply
    6. Mar says

      May 27, 2017 at 2:25 pm

      Friday night is pizza night on our house, and we love making our own. I will definitely be keeping this one in mind next week. I make a mean homemade pesto for pasta, but I never thought to try it on a pizza. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    7. Gina says

      May 27, 2017 at 1:52 pm

      I can't wait to make this when I have fresh garden tomatoes and basil. I love grilled pizza. Superb!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Lauren! This is my slice of the internet to share seasonally-inspired recipes. I live in the heart of New England with my husband, two kiddos, English bulldog and our two local restaurants. Life is busy AND delicious!

    More about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • Low-Calorie Spicy Thai Peanut Dressing
    • Trader Joe's Kale Gnocchi with Arrabbiata
    • Whole Wheat Sourdough Pumpkin Bread
    • Iced Lavender Matcha Latte

    Get my Thanksgiving eCookbook!

    Hi, I'm Lauren! This is my slice of the internet to share seasonally-inspired recipes. I live in the heart of New England with my husband, two kiddos, English bulldog and our two local restaurants. Life is busy AND delicious!

    More about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • Low-Calorie Spicy Thai Peanut Dressing
    • Trader Joe's Kale Gnocchi with Arrabbiata
    • Whole Wheat Sourdough Pumpkin Bread
    • Iced Lavender Matcha Latte

    Get my Thanksgiving eCookbook!

    Footer

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Inquiries + Collabs
    • Subscribe for updates!

    Recipes

    • All Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes

    Our Restaurants

    • Bonefish Harrys
    • Portsmouth Feed Company
    • Thirsty Butcher Hospitality
    • Restaurant Photography

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Hunger Thirst Play

    Copyright© 2023 Hunger Thirst Play · Privacy Policy ·