Pizza Pesto e Gamberi

Pizza Pesto e Gamberi: Fresh, Bright, and Lightly Coastal
Pizza Pesto e Gamberi has a coastal feel, like a breeze coming in off the sea. The aroma brings to mind fresh basil and garlic mingling with just a hint of salt air. Its taste is fresh, simple, and a little unexpected. Each bite has a soft, airy texture from the crust, with a delicate crunch at the edges. The colors—bright green pesto, creamy cheese, and pink shrimp—make the whole pizza look vibrant and inviting. The flavors are rich, yet lighter than you might expect.
Pesto is the main flavor here. I recommend using homemade basil pesto for the brightest, most authentic taste, but a good quality store-bought pesto will work if you’re short on time. If making it yourself, blend fresh basil, olive oil, garlic, pine nuts, and a little Parmesan. While the pizza bakes, you can smell basil, olive oil, and garlic. The pesto seeps into the dough, creating a rich and lively base.
For the best results, use medium-sized raw shrimp (about 21-25 per pound), peeled and deveined. Fresh or high-quality frozen shrimp will both work well, just make sure to pat them dry before adding. The shrimp cook quickly and turn out tender with a touch of sweetness. They keep their fresh, ocean taste without becoming heavy or rubbery. That really stands out.
Mozzarella brings the whole pizza together without overpowering the other flavors. It melts evenly, giving a creamy texture and gentle richness that enhances both the pesto and the shrimp. Mozzarella acts as a subtle backdrop, letting the freshness of the basil and the sweetness of the shrimp shine. Each ingredient supports the others, making the pizza vibrant, fresh, and just a little bit different from the usual.

It’s the kind of pizza you don’t expect to crave again — until you do.

Category, , DifficultyBeginner

 

Yields4 Servings
Prep Time20 minsCook Time15 minsTotal Time35 mins

Dough:
 2 1/4 cups (325g) all-purpose flour or 00 flour
 3/4 cup (180ml) warm water
 1 teaspoon (5g) sugar
 1 teaspoon (5g) salt
 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
 2 teaspoons (7g) active dry yeast
Toppings:
 1/2 cup (120ml) pesto sauce (homemade or store-bought)
 8 ounces (225g) mozzarella cheese, sliced or grated
 8 ounces (225g) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
 2 cloves garlic, minced
 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
 Salt and pepper to taste
 Fresh basil leaves or arugula for garnish
 Lemon wedges for serving

1

Prepare the Dough: Dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water and let it sit until frothy, about 5-10 minutes. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil, and mix to form a dough. Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth, about 10 minutes. Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1-2 hours, until doubled.

2

Preheat the Oven: Place a pizza stone or inverted baking sheet in the oven. Preheat to 500°F (260°C) for at least 30 minutes.

3

Prepare the Shrimp: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant. Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook just until they start to turn pink (they will cook further in the oven). Remove from heat.

4

Assemble the Pizza: Stretch the dough into a 12-inch circle on a floured surface or parchment paper. Spread the pesto sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a border for the crust. Distribute the mozzarella cheese, then top with the partially cooked shrimp.

5

Bake the Pizza: Transfer the pizza (on parchment if using) to the preheated stone or sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.

6

Garnish and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven, garnish with fresh basil or arugula, and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Ingredients

Dough:
 2 1/4 cups (325g) all-purpose flour or 00 flour
 3/4 cup (180ml) warm water
 1 teaspoon (5g) sugar
 1 teaspoon (5g) salt
 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
 2 teaspoons (7g) active dry yeast
Toppings:
 1/2 cup (120ml) pesto sauce (homemade or store-bought)
 8 ounces (225g) mozzarella cheese, sliced or grated
 8 ounces (225g) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
 2 cloves garlic, minced
 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
 Salt and pepper to taste
 Fresh basil leaves or arugula for garnish
 Lemon wedges for serving
Pizza Pesto e Gamberi

Perfect Wine Pairing:

A crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Vermentino complements this pizza’s fresh and herby flavors. Their balanced acidity enhances the pesto and shrimp flavors without overpowering them.

Explore more in our

Italian Pizza Recipes guide
.

Author

  • Alberto is a Calgary-based hospitality professional and the founder of OvenSource. His background is rooted in restaurant operations, guest experience, and concept-driven dining, with years spent working closely inside hospitality environments where food, service, and atmosphere all matter equally.

    Through OvenSource, he brings together practical restaurant insight, a traveler’s perspective, and a deep personal interest in how food connects people to memory and place.

    View all posts Founder & Editor

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