Description
Celebrate the holiday season with this festive Christmas Tree Pizza recipe featuring cheese-filled dough and a colorful array of toppings. This easy and fun appetizer combines creamy Alfredo and pesto sauces with mozzarella, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, pepperoni, and Parmesan for a delicious crowd-pleaser perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough and Sauces
- 1 pound pizza dough (or two 11-ounce cans refrigerated bread dough)
- ¼ cup Alfredo sauce (store-bought is fine)
- 1 tablespoon jarred pesto sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Italian herbs
Cheese
- 5 mozzarella cheese sticks
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Toppings
- ½ small green bell pepper (sliced to make garland)
- ¼ cup cherry tomatoes (sliced in half)
- 2 tablespoons mini pepperoni slices
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and position the rack in the center. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare Dough: Roll out the pizza dough into a large triangle shape that will resemble a Christmas tree. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the dough edges to create branches, leaving the center intact to form the trunk.
- Add Sauces: Spread the Alfredo sauce evenly over the rolled-out dough, then add dollops or drizzle the pesto sauce on top to create a flavorful base for the pizza.
- Layer Cheese Sticks: Arrange the mozzarella cheese sticks on the dough, fitting them into the branches and center area to create a cheese-filled tree effect.
- Top with Shredded Cheese and Herbs: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the dough and cheese sticks, then drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle the Italian herbs evenly to enhance flavor and browning.
- Add Garnishes: Decoratively place the green bell pepper slices around the tree to mimic garlands, add halved cherry tomatoes as lights, and scatter the mini pepperoni slices as festive ornaments.
- Final Touch: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the entire pizza for an extra cheesy finish and crispy crust.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the prepared pizza on the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden, and the crust is cooked through.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, then slice along the branches and trunk to serve individual portions. Enjoy your festive and delicious Christmas Tree Pizza!
Notes
- Use refrigerated bread dough for a quicker alternative to homemade pizza dough.
- Customize toppings to your preference, such as adding olives or different vegetables.
- Ensure even slicing of the dough branches for easy separation after baking.
- Let the pizza cool slightly for easier slicing and to avoid burning.
- Perfect for holiday parties, this pizza is a great way to engage kids in cooking and decorating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (based on 6 servings)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
