I love this White Pizza—it’s cheesy, garlicky, and incredibly satisfying—without the typical tomato sauce. A crisp crust supports a creamy garlic‑ricotta base, melty mozzarella, and fresh herbs for a refined and delicious spin on pizza night.
Why I’ll Love This Recipe
I’ll love this recipe because it strikes the perfect balance between richness and brightness. The creamy cheese blend and garlic flavor feel indulgent while still tasting fresh thanks to herbs and olive oil. It comes together easily, bakes quickly, and always impresses without being overly heavy.
ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Pizza dough (homemade or store‑bought)
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Ricotta cheese
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Mozzarella cheese (shredded or sliced)
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Parmesan cheese (grated or shredded)
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Garlic cloves, minced
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Olive oil
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Salt and black pepper
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Red pepper flakes (optional)
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Fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, or thyme (optional)
directions
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I preheat my oven to about 475 °F (245 °C) or as directed on the dough package.
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I roll out or stretch the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface to my desired thickness.
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I transfer the dough to a baking sheet or preheated pizza stone.
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I whisk together ricotta, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth and spreadable.
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I spread that mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a border for the crust.
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I scatter the mozzarella and sprinkle parmesan evenly over the ricotta layer.
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I drizzle a small amount of olive oil over the top and add red pepper flakes if I want a little heat.
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I bake in the middle of the oven until the crust is golden‑brown and the cheese is bubbly and just starting to brown, about 10–15 minutes.
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I remove from the oven and immediately top with chopped fresh herbs and a light drizzle of olive oil.
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I slice and serve right away.
Servings and timing
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Servings: Makes about 1 large pizza, serving 2–4 depending on appetite
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Prep Time: 10–15 minutes
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Bake Time: 10–15 minutes
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Total Time: 25–30 minutes
Variations
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I add grilled or sautéed mushrooms or spinach for some earthy greens.
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I swap ricotta for crème fraîche or mascarpone for an extra‑luxurious base.
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I sprinkle chopped olives or lemon zest for a Mediterranean twist.
storage/reheating
I store leftover pizza in the fridge, wrapped tightly, for up to 2 days. I reheat slices in a hot oven or toaster oven at 400 °F (200 °C) for 5–7 minutes to bring back crispness—avoid the microwave, as it tends to turn the crust soggy. I don’t freeze assembled pizza, though I sometimes freeze the dough or cheese base separately.
FAQs
Can I make white pizza vegetarian?
Yes—I leave out meat and load it with vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, artichokes, or roasted peppers.
Does white pizza need sauce?
Not in the traditional sense—this version uses a ricotta‑garlic spread instead of tomato sauce for a creamy, flavorful base.
Can I make this without ricotta?
Yes—I can use mascarpone, crème fraîche, or even a blend of mozzarella and cream cheese for similar creaminess.
Can I bake white pizza on grill or pizza stone?
Absolutely. I preheat the stone or grill well, slide the pizza on carefully, and bake until the crust crisps and cheese bubbles.
How do I prevent the crust from becoming too soggy?
I make sure not to overload the cheese or wet ingredients, and I bake on a hot surface to crisp the bottom quickly.
Conclusion
This White Pizza hits the perfect note between creamy indulgence and fresh, bright flavors. It’s surprisingly simple to make, endlessly adaptable, and always satisfying. I love how it stands out from classic tomato pies while still giving me that comforting cheese-and-crust experience.
Print
White Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 10–15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–15 minutes
- Total Time: 25–30 minutes
- Yield: 1 large pizza (serves 2–4)
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A creamy and indulgent white pizza made with a garlic-ricotta base, melty mozzarella, and fresh herbs—no tomato sauce required. Perfectly crispy, cheesy, and full of flavor.
Ingredients
1 ball pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated or shredded Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Salt and black pepper to taste
Red pepper flakes (optional)
Fresh parsley, basil, or thyme for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C) or follow dough package instructions.
- Roll out or stretch pizza dough on a lightly floured surface to desired thickness.
- Transfer dough to a baking sheet or preheated pizza stone.
- In a bowl, whisk ricotta, 1 tablespoon olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Spread ricotta mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a border.
- Top with mozzarella and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Drizzle remaining olive oil on top and add red pepper flakes if desired.
- Bake 10–15 minutes, until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
- Remove from oven, top with fresh herbs and a light drizzle of olive oil.
- Slice and serve immediately.
Notes
Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for a veggie-packed version.
Swap ricotta for mascarpone or crème fraîche for extra richness.
Sprinkle chopped olives or lemon zest for a Mediterranean twist.
Use a pizza stone or grill for extra crisp crust.
Don’t overload with cheese to avoid sogginess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/6 of pizza)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 35mg