Mediterranean Veggie Flatbread Pizza

This Mediterranean Veggie Flatbread Pizza is easy and flavorful! It's topped with pesto, artichokes, mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, and basil.

If you're looking for a fast meal that's full of fresh flavors, you can't beat this Pesto Veggie Flatbread. It uses shortcut ingredients like store-bought flatbreads, jarred basil pesto, and Mediterranean veggies.

It's always nice to have some quick and easy meals on hand during those busy seasons in life when we don't have a ton of time to devote to cooking.

Flatbread pizzas are one of my go-to meals during these times, because all that's required of them is to assemble, bake, and enjoy.

One of the reasons this recipe is so simple is that its made using store-bought flatbreads. Flatbread makes the perfect canvas, because it can be topped with just about anything. This version is inspired by bright Mediterranean flavors like basil, marinated artichokes, and fresh vegetables.

It makes for a great lunch or light dinner during those busy weekdays, because it's ready in only 20 minutes, but tastes like it took much longer to prepare.

Jump to:

• What Is The Difference Between Flatbread and Pizza Crust?
• Is Flatbread Gluten Free?
• Toppings For Mediterranean Veggie Flatbread Pizza
• Can I Sub Any Of These Ingredients?
• How To Make Mediterranean Flatbread
• How Long Does Flatbread Pizza Take To Bake?
• What To Serve With Pesto Flatbread Pizza
• How Long Does Flatbread Pizza Last In The Fridge?
• Mediterranean Veggie Flatbread Pizza

What Is The Difference Between Flatbread and Pizza Crust?

Flatbread and pizza crust are similar in the fact that they both serve as a form of 'pizza'. However, there are some differences that distinguish a flatbread from a more traditional pizza.

The main difference between them is that the dough used to make flatbread is unleavened and pizza dough is made with yeast. The yeast causes pizza dough to rise and the dough is more airy in texture as a result. Yeast also provides pizza dough with its characteristic flavor.

A flatbread may be prepared using any variety of unleavened bread, from pita bread to naan to lavash to roti. Technically, it can be made with any variety of flat bread.

Basically, there is no wrong way to make a flatbread. They're faster and easier to prepare than a traditional pizza crust, because they're often made with pre-made crust.

Another difference between flatbread and pizza is that flatbreads typically contain fewer toppings and don't always use a traditional pizza sauce.

As mentioned, flatbread is incredibly versatile and can be topped with anything from hummus to ricotta BBQ sauce to olive tapenade. They're usually topped with any variety of vegetables, cured meats or seafood, cheese, and fresh herbs.

Is Flatbread Gluten Free?

Just like traditional pizza dough, most flatbreads are made with flour and therefore are not gluten free.

This recipe is gluten free and uses gluten free flatbread, but you can feel free to use any type of flat bread if gluten is not an issue for you.

My favorite brand of gluten free flatbread is the O' Dough's Flatbread. I love both the taste and texture of this flatbread. It works perfectly as a crust for flatbread pizza.

You can also use naan bread, pre-made pizza crust (gluten free or otherwise), cauliflower crust, pita bread, or any variety of unleavened bread to make this Mediterranean Veggie Flatbread Pizza.

Toppings For Mediterranean Veggie Flatbread Pizza

There is no 'wrong way' to top a flatbread pizza, but it's generally recommended not to overload it with toppings, or the flatbread may become mushy instead of crispy as it bakes.

I recommend adding just enough of each ingredient to taste it, but not so much that the toppings saturate the flatbread and make it soggy.

To keep this recipe simple, I opted for a few shortcut ingredients like store-bought basil pesto, jarred marinated artichokes, and pre-made flatbreads. If you're feeling ambitious, you can certainly make a homemade pesto if you prefer.

Here's what you'll need to make it.

• 2 Gluten Free Flatbreads of choice (or regular flatbreads of choice if not gluten free)
• 1 jar Basil Pesto (make sure brand is gluten free)
• 1 cup Mushrooms (sliced) (any variety)
• ½ cup Bell Peppers (diced) (any color)
• 1 cup Marinated Artichokes (chopped)
• 1 cup Fresh Mozzarella Cheese (or shredded mozzarella cheese)
• ¼ cup Fresh Basil Leaves
• 1 tsp. Red Chili Flakes (optional)
• Grated Parmesan or Asiago Cheese (optional)

Can I Sub Any Of These Ingredients?

Absolutely, this recipe can be customized to your liking!

Feel free to use fresh or shredded mozzarella cheese, or any cheese that melts nicely, such as Fontina or provolone.

You can omit or sub any of the veggies if you like. Diced tomatoes, zucchini, summer squash, or onions may be used instead of the suggested toppings.

Feel free to swap out the marinated artichokes for any other marinated vegetables, Kalamata olives, or olives of choice if you don't care for them.

I recommend using vegetables or any toppings that cook quickly, as these flatbread pizzas only take a little more than 10 minutes to bake.

How To Make Mediterranean Flatbread

The process of making this Mediterranean Veggie Flatbread Pizza is super easy. All that's needed is to chop the veggie toppings, assemble them on top of the flatbreads, and bake until the cheese has melted and the edges of the flatbread crispy.

I find it helpful to place the add the veggies with the lowest water content directly onto the flatbread and the toppings with the highest water content on top, so that any of the water does not soak into the flatbread and render it soggy.

1. Start by heating the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Slice 1 cup of mushrooms (any variety).
3. Dice half of a bell pepper (any color) (yields ½ cup diced bell peppers).
4. Chop 1 cup of marinated artichokes.
5. Cut 1 ball of fresh mozzarella cheese into chunks (alternately, you can shred 1 cup of mozzarella cheese or any melty cheese of choice).
6. Evenly spread 3 Tbsp. jarred basil pesto onto a gluten free flatbread (or flatbread of choice).
7. Top the flatbread with ½ cup of sliced mushrooms, ¼ cup diced bell peppers, ½ cup chopped marinated artichokes, and ½ cup mozzarella cheese.
8. Repeat with the second flatbread.

How Long Does Flatbread Pizza Take To Bake?

Cooking times may vary slightly, depending on the type of flatbread used, but most varieties of flatbreads take 10-12 minutes baked at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

If using a pre-made pizza crust or larger variety of flatbread, it may require a few more minutes of cooking time.

The flatbread pizza is done when the cheese has completely melted and the edges of the flatbread are crispy.

1. To bake the flatbreads, simply place them onto a large baking sheet.
2. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the edges are crispy. Feel free to make for a few extra minutes if necessary.
3. Remove the baking sheets from the oven and cut the flatbreads into slices.

What To Serve With Pesto Flatbread Pizza

You can serve the flatbread as-is, or add a few garnishes to amp up the flavor even more.

I love to top it with some freshly torn basil leaves. The fresh basil adds some brightness and complements the basil in the jarred pesto nicely.

A sprinkle of red chili flakes adds a bit of heat and some grated Parmesan or Asiago cheese helps to create some more depth.

This dish can be enjoyed by itself as a light meal, or paired with a bright salad or cup of soup.

This Italian green bean salad, marinated tomato salad, or pickled beet salad would make a nice pairing.

It's perfect with some spinach lentil soup or Tuscan vegetable soup.

Love pesto? Check out these recipes!

• Thai Basil Pesto
• Green Pasta Sauce
• Arugula Pesto Pizza
• Summer Pesto Pasta Salad
• Pesto Grilled Cheese
• Pesto Baked Cod

How Long Does Flatbread Pizza Last In The Fridge?

Any leftover flatbread should last 2-3 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

Be sure to allow the pizza to cool completely before transferring to the fridge for storage.

Keep in mind that the flatbread will become more soggy the longer it's stored in the fridge, but it should not effect the flavor.

I do not recommend freezing this flatbread pizza, as it is best enjoyed fresh, or within a few days.

Love pizza? Check out these recipes!

• Pesto Chicken Flatbread
• Farmer's Market Vegetable Pizza
• Smoky BBQ Chicken Pizza
• Mushroom Arugula Pizza
• Sheet Pan Pizza

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