Pesto Pizza
September 24, 2025
If there’s one thing students can agree on, it’s pizza day. When there’s a flavorful blend of cheesy goodness, chewy crust, and fresh, vibrant toppings on the menu, the lines stretch out the door.
And though pizza may have been born in Italy, it’s a worldwide treat. San Luis Coastal Unified School District’s School Food Professionals give their vegetable pizza an intercontinental touch by replacing the crust with naan, an oven-baked flatbread popular in India, Southeast Asia, and many other parts of the world. They top it with pesto sauce, mozzarella, and a mixture of fresh-from-the-Earth local vegetables. Next, they add some of Chef Cory Bidwell’s oven-dehydrated diced tomatoes – coated with Italian spices to give them a flavorful kick – and put the pizza into the oven. Once it’s done cooking, they top it with arugula and Italian dressing. The result is delicious and packed with healthy veggies. As Food and Nutrition Services team member Teresa Vigil said, “It’s so good that I make the recipe for myself at home.”
Ready to cook a healthy lunch that kids can’t get enough of? Try this mouthwatering pesto pizza recipe from The Lunch Box.