Description
This easy and delicious White Pizza recipe features a crispy crust topped with a flavorful garlic olive oil, creamy whole milk ricotta cheese, fresh mozzarella, and nutty Parmesan cheese. Finished with fresh basil and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, it's a perfect crowd-pleaser for pizza night, best served alongside a fresh green salad.
Ingredients
Pizza Dough
- 1 pound pizza dough, store-bought or homemade
- Cornmeal, for stretching the dough
Toppings & Sauce
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, grated
- Heaping ½ cup whole milk ricotta cheese (preferably Belgioioso for creaminess)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, torn
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Red pepper flakes, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: If using homemade dough, follow your recipe instructions. For store-bought dough, let it sit at room temperature for 1 hour to make it easier to stretch.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 500°F (or the highest setting your oven allows) to ensure a hot environment for a crispy crust.
- Make Garlic Oil: In a small bowl, stir together the extra-virgin olive oil and grated garlic until well combined.
- Prepare Ricotta Mixture: In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta cheese with chopped fresh thyme, lemon zest, and sea salt. Combine until smooth and creamy.
- Shape Dough: Lightly dust a baking sheet with cornmeal to prevent sticking. Place the pizza dough on the sheet and stretch it into a large circle or oval shape. Use a fork to poke holes all over the dough to prevent bubbles.
- Par-bake Crust: Bake the stretched dough for 5 minutes to partially cook the crust.
- Dock Crust Again: Remove the crust and poke with a fork again to release any air bubbles that may have formed during par-baking.
- Add Toppings: Brush the crust evenly with the garlic oil. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture onto the center and spread it thinly, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges free.
- Add Cheeses: Scatter torn fresh mozzarella over the ricotta, then sprinkle grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese on top.
- Bake Pizza: Bake the pizza for 10 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven, sprinkle fresh basil leaves and red pepper flakes on top. Slice and serve immediately.
Notes
- Allow the dough to come to room temperature before stretching to ensure it is more pliable and easier to work with.
- Using cornmeal on the baking sheet prevents the dough from sticking and adds a slight crunch to the crust.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for desired heat level.
- If you don’t have fresh thyme, dried thyme can be substituted but use less (about ½ teaspoon).
- Cooking at a high oven temperature is key to getting a crisp crust and nicely melted cheeses.
- Leftover pizza can be reheated in a skillet or oven to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian