Garlic Pesto Flatbread Pizza with Tomatoes and Arugula

These quick and EASY garlicky pesto flatbread pizzas are packed with fresh tomatoes, basil, and peppery arugula for a flavorful weeknight dinner that can be ready in about 15 minutes.

Weeknight pizzas are a lifesaver. If you want a lighter, fast alternative to delivery that still feels indulgent, these garlicky pesto flatbread pizzas are a perfect choice. They come together in minutes, use simple ingredients, and are a great way to use up leftover vegetables. With a crisped flatbread base, a touch of garlic purée, bright pesto, creamy mozzarella, and fresh tomato and herb toppings, you get satisfying texture and flavor without hours in the kitchen.

I used a mix of fresh and sun-dried tomatoes for contrast — fresh slices for juiciness and sun-dried pieces for concentrated, slightly sweet depth. A garlic purée brushed on the flatbread before baking adds baked-in garlic flavor without any harsh raw bite. If you don’t have garlic purée, finely minced garlic blended with a little olive oil works well too.

Start by crisping the flatbreads briefly in a hot oven after brushing them with the garlic purée. That creates a sturdy, slightly golden base so the toppings don’t make the bread soggy. Then spread pesto, add slices of fresh mozzarella, and arrange the tomatoes. A short bake until the cheese bubbles and the edges of the flatbread turn crisp finishes the pizzas quickly.

Once out of the oven, finish each flatbread with a handful of peppery arugula and torn fresh basil leaves for herbal brightness. Add red pepper flakes if you like heat, and an optional drizzle of balsamic vinegar for a touch of sweetness and acid. These make a light but satisfying dinner and are easy to adapt — add sliced bell pepper, zucchini, caramelized onions, cooked chicken, or prosciutto to make them heartier.

Garlicky Pesto Flatbread Pizza with Tomatoes and Arugula

Quick, fresh, and easy flatbread pizzas with pesto, mozzarella, tomatoes, and a peppery arugula finish. Ready in about 15 minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 whole grain naan flatbreads
• 1 Tbsp garlic purée (or 1–2 cloves garlic finely minced mixed with 1 tsp olive oil)
• 1/2 cup pesto
• 6 slices fresh mozzarella (about 1/3-inch thick)
• 1/2 lb tomatoes, thinly sliced (use a variety if available)
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 cups arugula
• Fresh basil leaves, torn
• Red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Brush each flatbread lightly with garlic purée. Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 3–5 minutes to crisp the base—this prevents sogginess once toppings are added.
3. Remove the crisped flatbreads from the oven. Spread pesto evenly over each one, then arrange slices of mozzarella and both fresh and sun-dried tomatoes on top. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Return the flatbreads to the oven and bake for 10–13 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling and the edges are golden and crisp.
5. Remove from the oven and immediately top with arugula, torn basil leaves, and red pepper flakes if using. Slice and serve right away.

Tips and Variations

• Substitute store-bought pesto with a quick blended mix of basil, garlic, pine nuts or walnuts, parmesan, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• To make the pizzas more filling, add cooked chicken, thinly sliced prosciutto, or a handful of sautéed vegetables before baking.
• If you prefer a crisper crust, bake flatbreads directly on a preheated baking stone or inverted baking sheet.
• For a dairy-free version, use a dairy-free mozzarella alternative or omit the cheese and add extra sun-dried tomatoes and fresh herbs.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/2 flatbread | Calories: 386 kcal | Carbohydrates: 37.1 g | Protein: 16.7 g | Fat: 19.2 g | Saturated Fat: 5.9 g | Sodium: 1,163 mg | Fiber: 5.8 g | Sugar: 7.2 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.

These flatbread pizzas are a fast, flavorful option for weeknights or casual gatherings. They combine fresh, bright ingredients with the convenience of ready-made flatbreads—so you can enjoy a pizza night without the fuss. Enjoy experimenting with toppings and make it your own!