I can’t remember the last time I posted a savoury recipe on the blog. I make no secret of that fact that I adore sweet breakfasts and desserts, and I share recipes to that effect. But, yesterday I made a simple Roasted Veggie Pita Pizza that I topped with Vegan Kale Walnut Pesto, and just had to share it.
[Tweet “Easy Roasted Veggie Pita #Pizza with #Vegan Kale Walnut Pesto #healthyeating #recipe”]
A couple weeks ago I decided to give the Hamilton Pizzetta at Williams Cafe a try. I was still on my meatless eating stint, so the pizzetta was one of the few things on the menu that I could actually eat. I was a little hesitant to try it at first, because I’d heard the mozzarella was the best part. But, I was hungry, so I went with it.
Much to my surprise, that mozzarella-less pizzetta blew my tastebuds away from the first bite. It was so good that I decided, then and there, to try recreating it at home.
I had all intentions of using the same toppings they did, which included mushrooms, roasted red pepper, grilled zucchini, basil pesto and arugula, but life got in the way. And by ‘life’ I mean my terrible memory. I forgot to buy the peppers and the arugula and I didn’t get enough basil for the pesto. Plus, I was way too lazy to make an actual pizza crust. But I was determined to make this pizza happen, so I decided to improvise.
I’ve been on a kale kick since the beginning of September, so I add some to the pesto to make up for the lack of basil. All green things are basically the same, right? I also add roasted sweet potatoes to make up for the lack of peppers. That’s definitely not a natural substitution, but I thought it would look nice in pictures. #doitforinsta. But, in the end, that was a good thing, since I forgot to actually put the mushrooms on the pizza. They’re actually still sitting in the fridge where I put them when I got back from the grocery.
You’d think with all the missing ingredients and random substitutions, this would have been a flop. But, this roasted veggie pita pizza, topped with vegan kale walnut pesto was honestly one of the best savoury things I’ve made in a long time. Even if it wasn’t a true copycat of Williams’ Hamilton Pizzetta.
Roasted Veggie Pita Pizza with Vegan Kale Walnut Pesto
- 1½ cups kale leaves, loosely packed
- ¾ cup basil leaves, loosely packed
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- ½ tsp prepared mustard
- ⅓ cup walnut pieces
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
- pita bread
- roasted veggies
- your favourite pizza sauce
- Optional: dairy free cheese or extra nutritional yeast for topping
- Add all pesto ingredients, except the olive oil and salt & pepper, to the bowl of a food processor and pulse a few times, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula as needed
- With the food processor still running on low, slowly pour in the olive oil
- Continue to process the mixture until desired consistency is reached, scraping down the sides as necessary
- Stir in salt and pepper to taste
- Pre-head oven to 350F
- Spread pizza sauce onto pita bread and top with roasted veggies and cheese, if using
- Bake for 5-8 minutes (or until cheese is melted)
- Remove from oven, drizzle with pesto and sprinkle with extra nutritional yeast
What about you?
- What the best thing you’ve made/eaten at a restaurant recently?
- Have you ever had/made vegan pesto? What did you think about it?
Share in the comments below!
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I love pesto, and I think using the kale gives it an extra nutritional boost. Pinning this, it sounds delicious.
Debbie recently posted…How to Enjoy Running on a Treadmill. Plus an Interval Workout!
I think I’ll just make this pesto and drink it 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Apple Pie Quick Bread
is the mustard in this recipe the yellow condiment or the powdered spice mustard? It probably wouldn’t make that much of a difference but I like to follow recipes exactly…at least the first time. 🙂
GORGEOUS photos, Giselle! And not to mention this sounds absolutely scrumptioussss!! I need to make myself a pizza here soon.
Christina recently posted…Chicken, Bean & Sweet Potato Noodle Soup
Love this! Easy crust + can you ever really have enough kale?!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted…Pumpkin Quinoa Chia Pudding [Recipe]
GuuuUUuuUUurl – we are tastebud soul mates. I’m totally all about those sweet eats, but I’m so glad you shared this recipe. Love the idea of sweet potato on pizza. And yeah pesto is always a good idea.
I think I could eat pesto by the spoonful. This recipe looks SO good. I’m all over the pizza and pesto combo!
Megan @ Straight From The Jar recently posted…Butternut Squash Apple Soup with Bacon
That pesto is on point! Can’t wait to try it.
Alexandra @ Made to Glow recently posted…Happy Fall, Y’all! My Favorite Fall Recipes, Style, and Decor
i LOVE pita pizzas! Such a quick and tasty way to eat pizza. This looks amazing especially with the kale walnut pesto 🙂
rachel @ Athletic Avocado recently posted…Spicy Cinnamon Blackened Salmon with Pumpkin Cranberry Salsa
I am craving pizza! I actually have a crap ton of cauliflower rice left over so maybe I’ll test out a cauliflower dough tonight! Thanks for the inspiration. I love sweet potato, and pesto, on pretty much anything. So I bet this is magnificent. Gorgeous food photos 😉
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen recently posted…Spiced Matcha Latte [dairy-free, vegan, paleo]
Ha I hardly ever post savory recipes either!! So many breakfasty-snacky-dessert recipes!!
This pesto looks so good!!
Amanda @ Diary of a Semi-Health Nut recently posted…Fire-Roasted Tomato Hummus Recipe with Bacon
Sweet potato in a savory recipe is the best flavor combo ever!!! It’s the perfect balance of salty and sweet. Basically, sweet potato is perfect. So is pesto. And pizza. So this recipe is life!!!
Emilie @ Emilie Eats recently posted…Chickpea Pumpkin Coconut Curry (vegan)
Seriously love everything about this recipe! Pinning for menu planning. I just need to find a yummy gluten free crust sub. Thanks for sharing with friends at Fitness Friday!
jill conyers recently posted…10 Cooking Tips
Hi Giselle,
Wow this looks delicious and sounds so tasty and healthy.. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & tweeted..
Marla recently posted…Real Food Fridays #109 – Real Food Real Healthy
Yummy!! California Pizza Kitchen has a roasted veggie pizza that I am obsessed with. I love adding non-traditional pizza toppings to mine at home and will definitely have to make this one next!
Carly @ Fitliving blog recently posted…Guest Post: Get to Know Jill Conyers in this Q&A + BIG Announcement
Thank you for sharing the recipe. I’m not really a vegan, so I would replace some of the ingredients, but it looks delicious. Although I prefer burgers, I usually order them here https://fasivery.ch/it/restaurant-cele-burger if you don’t have time, or don’t want to spend time cooking and cleaning