White Pizza Recipe

If you’re craving a pizza that’s packed with creamy, fresh, and bright flavors but without the usual tomato sauce, then this White Pizza Recipe is about to become your new favorite. It’s a beautifully simple dish that combines a golden, crispy crust with luscious ricotta, fresh mozzarella, fragrant basil, and a drizzle of olive oil—each bite melts in your mouth and brings a little slice of Italian magic right to your kitchen. Whether you’re hosting friends or simply want a cozy dinner, this white pizza is always a showstopper that’s easy to prepare and impossible to resist.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This White Pizza Recipe relies on a handful of fresh, essential ingredients that work in perfect harmony to create a flavorful topping and a crust that’s delightfully crisp. Each ingredient plays a key role, whether it’s adding creaminess, a burst of herbaceous aroma, or that perfect cheesy pull.

• 1 pound fresh pizza dough: Whether store-bought or homemade, this is the foundation for your crispy, golden crust.
• 1 tablespoon cornmeal: Sprinkled on the pan to keep the crust from sticking and to add a subtle texture to the bottom.
• ½ cup whole milk ricotta cheese: Creates the creamy white base sauce with a mild, rich flavor.
• 1 clove garlic, minced: Adds a punch of aroma and depth to the white sauce.
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano: Brings a classic Italian herb flavor that brightens the ricotta sauce.
• Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to make the flavors pop.
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella ball: Tearing it fresh ensures luscious, melty gooey cheese coverage.
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves: Adds vibrant color and a fresh, peppery aroma on top.
• ¼ cup grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese: A salty, nutty finishing touch that enhances every bite.
• 1 tablespoon olive oil: Drizzled at the end for richness and a silky finish.
• ¼–½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional): Adds a gentle kick of heat if you like a little spice.

How to Make White Pizza Recipe

Step 1: Preparing the Oven and Pan

Start by preheating your oven to a high 450°F and prepare your baking surface by sprinkling cornmeal over a large flat baking sheet or pizza pan. This step is crucial because it helps the dough slide off easily and ensures a crisp bottom crust, setting you up for pizza perfection.

Step 2: Shaping Your Pizza Crust

Using your hands, gently stretch and pinch the fresh pizza dough into a large, thin circle about 15 to 16 inches wide. The key here is patience and care—rotating and letting the dough hang slightly helps it stretch uniformly without tearing. Don’t worry if it shrinks a bit on the pan; you can always reshape it gently before you add toppings.

Step 3: Mixing the White Pizza Sauce

Combine the whole milk ricotta, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. This mixture forms the creamy, flavorful sauce that’s the heart of this White Pizza Recipe, creating a smooth canvas that perfectly balances the cheese and herbs.

Step 4: Building Your Pizza

Spread your ricotta mixture evenly over the stretched dough, leaving a half-inch border around the edge to let the crust crisp up nicely. Next, tear the fresh mozzarella into large, uneven chunks and scatter them generously across the pizza. Sprinkle fresh basil and grated Pecorino Romano cheese over the top, drizzle with olive oil, and add crushed red pepper flakes if you want a little heat.

Step 5: Baking the Pizza

Place your assembled pizza on the lowest rack of your preheated oven. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the edges are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown lightly. This intense heat will give you a crust that’s crisp on the outside but chewy and tender inside, complementing the rich topping beautifully.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Once baked, remove your pizza and let it rest for 2 to 3 minutes. This rest period allows the cheese to set just enough for clean slicing without losing any of that melty, gooey goodness. Then, slice it up and get ready to enjoy one of the best White Pizza Recipe creations in your kitchen!

How to Serve White Pizza Recipe

Garnishes

Enhance your white pizza by serving with fresh basil leaves or an extra drizzle of good-quality olive oil. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a pinch of cracked black pepper right before serving can lift the flavors even higher, making every bite irresistible.

Side Dishes

This White Pizza Recipe pairs beautifully with a simple green salad tossed in a tangy vinaigrette to balance the richness of the cheese. Roasted vegetables or a crisp Caesar salad also make perfect companions, adding freshness and texture to your meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Try cutting the pizza into small squares for a fun party appetizer or serve alongside a bowl of warm garlic butter for dipping. For a colorful twist, scatter edible flowers or microgreens across the top just before serving—your guests will be impressed by the elevated presentation and flavors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store pizza slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This helps keep the crust from going soggy and preserves the fresh flavors of this White Pizza Recipe.

Freezing

You can freeze leftover pizza slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 1 month. When ready, thaw the slices overnight in the fridge to prepare for reheating to maintain the best texture and flavor.

Reheating

The best way to reheat leftover white pizza is in an air fryer or oven to bring back that crisp crust and melty cheese. Heat at 350°F for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the edges regain their crunch—no soggy microwave slices here!

FAQs

Can I use store-bought pizza dough for this White Pizza Recipe?

Absolutely! Store-bought pizza dough works great and saves time. Just make sure to bring it to room temperature before shaping for easier handling.

What if I don’t have ricotta cheese? Can I substitute it?

You can substitute ricotta with cream cheese or mascarpone for a similar creamy texture, but ricotta’s mild and slightly grainy profile is ideal for this recipe’s authentic taste.

Is this pizza gluten-free?

The recipe calls for traditional pizza dough which contains gluten, but you can use a gluten-free pizza crust from the store or homemade gluten-free dough to enjoy this White Pizza Recipe without gluten.

Can I add other toppings to this white pizza?

Definitely! While the recipe shines as is, you can add mushrooms, caramelized onions, or even cooked sausage to customize your pizza to your taste.

How do I prevent the pizza crust from getting soggy?

Sprinkling cornmeal on your pan and baking at a high temperature helps create a crispy crust. Also, avoid overloading the pizza with sauce or toppings which might make it soggy.

Final Thoughts

Once you make this White Pizza Recipe, you’ll understand why it’s so beloved by pizza lovers everywhere. Creamy, flavorful, and easy to customize, it brings that perfect blend of comfort and elegance right to your table. So go on, gather your ingredients, have fun stretching that dough, and bake this cheese-lover’s dream—you’ll be glad you did!

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