The Perfect Pizza Pairings: Ricotta Cheese's Best Friends

Ricotta cheese is a popular choice for pizza due to its mild, creamy flavour and how it holds its shape when heated. It is usually paired with spinach, garlic, basil, mozzarella, and olive oil. Some recipes also include sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan, and pecorino. Ricotta is often used as a base for white pizzas, and it can be seasoned with herbs and spices like rosemary, red pepper flakes, and nutmeg.

Spinach, basil, mozzarella, and sun-dried tomatoes

Ricotta cheese is a mild, creamy cheese that holds its shape when heated, making it perfect for dolloping over pizza crust. It is a versatile ingredient that pairs well with a wide range of Italian ingredients, such as garlic, herbs, tomatoes, and olive oil.

One delicious combination is spinach, basil, mozzarella, and sun-dried tomatoes. Spinach and basil are classic pairings with ricotta, and the addition of mozzarella and sun-dried tomatoes takes this pizza to the next level.

Ingredients:

• Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• Spinach
• Basil
• Mozzarella cheese
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Other seasonings (optional)

Method:

• Prepare your pizza dough and preheat the oven to a high temperature (around 500°F). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat up.
• If using oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drain and blot them dry with paper towels. If using dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes, rehydrate them by soaking in hot water for 5-10 minutes, then pat dry.
• Sauté the spinach with a small amount of olive oil and some minced garlic or garlic powder. You can also add other seasonings like red pepper flakes or Italian herbs.
• Roll out your pizza dough into a circle or oval, about 12 inches in diameter. If the dough shrinks back, let it rest for a few minutes before trying again.
• Assemble the pizza by scattering the sautéed spinach over the dough, then adding dollops of ricotta. Sprinkle salt over the ricotta.
• Add the mozzarella cheese, followed by the sun-dried tomatoes.
• Carefully slide the pizza onto your preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the crust is golden and slightly blistered.
• Remove the pizza from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

This pizza is a delicious combination of fresh and decadent flavors, with the creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and vibrant sun-dried tomatoes. The spinach adds a nutritional boost, while the basil brings a lovely herbaceous note. Feel free to add other fresh herbs from your garden, such as oregano, parsley, or thyme. Enjoy!

Artichoke hearts

Ingredients:

• 12 oz ricotta cheese
• 2 tbsp minced garlic
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup pecorino Romano cheese (plus a little extra)
• 4 flatbreads (naan or garlic naan works best)
• 8 oz shredded mozzarella

Instructions:

• Combine ricotta cheese, garlic, salt, pepper, and pecorino cheese in a bowl.
• Lay the flatbreads on a baking sheet and distribute the ricotta mixture evenly across them.
• Top with mozzarella cheese, a pinch of black pepper, and a little extra pecorino.
• Bake at 375°F until bubbly, which should take around 10-12 minutes.

Feel free to experiment with other toppings and ingredients to find your perfect artichoke heart and ricotta pizza!

Rosemary, parmesan, and mozzarella

A rosemary and parmesan pizza is a brilliant combination, even for those who are not big fans of rosemary. The subtleness of the herb will leave you wanting more. The recipe by Marc Vetri in his book, Mastering Pizza, suggests scattering mozzarella, parmesan, and rosemary in an even layer all the way to the rim of a 12-inch pizza. Broil for 2 minutes, then rotate the pizza and switch to bake mode for another 2 minutes or until done to your liking.

You can also try a white pizza with rosemary, parmesan, and mozzarella. Start by brushing your pizza crust with a garlic and rosemary-infused olive oil. You can use fresh or dried rosemary, but remember that dried rosemary is pretty strong, so you'll only need about 1/4 teaspoon and make sure to chop it finely. Next, dollop ricotta over the top and gently spread it out. Sprinkle on the mozzarella and parmesan cheese, followed by a sprinkling of red pepper flakes for a little kick. Bake the pizza until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.

If you're making the pizza dough yourself, you can add some garlic and rosemary straight into the dough. You can also add some arugula and drizzle olive oil and lemon juice on top of the baked pizza.

For a white pizza with ricotta, mozzarella, and pecorino (or parmesan), you can follow this recipe: combine ricotta cheese, garlic, salt, pepper, and pecorino cheese in a bowl. Lay the flatbreads on a baking sheet and distribute the ricotta mixture evenly. Top with mozzarella cheese, a pinch of black pepper, and a little more shredded pecorino. Bake at 375F until bubbly, which should take about 10-12 minutes.

Ricotta is a mild, creamy cheese that holds its shape when heated, making it perfect for dolloping over pizza crust. It is versatile and pairs well with a wide range of Italian ingredients, especially garlic, herbs, tomatoes, and olive oil.

• If you want a crispier pizza crust, pre-bake the crust for about 5 minutes before adding the toppings.
• If using fresh mozzarella, just slice it and add it to the top of the pizza.
• Use parchment paper to make your pizza; this will make it easier to shape your dough and transfer it to the pizza stone.
• If you like spice, add more red pepper flakes to your pizza.
• You can also top your finished pizza with chopped parsley to add a fresh component.

Pesto and mozzarella

Pesto, Ricotta, and Mozzarella Pizza

Ingredients

• Fresh basil leaves
• Pine nuts
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic
• Olive oil
• Lemon zest
• Fresh mozzarella cheese
• Fresh ricotta cheese
• Pizza dough
• Salt

Method

• Prepare the pesto by blanching the basil leaves in boiling water for 15-30 seconds, then transferring them to an ice bath.
• Combine the blanched basil, pine nuts, parmesan, garlic, olive oil, and lemon zest in a food processor and blend until smooth.
• Roll out the pizza dough into a 12-inch circle on a lightly floured surface.
• Sprinkle the dough with grated parmesan cheese.
• Dollop the pesto, mozzarella, and ricotta on top of the dough.
• Sprinkle with salt.
• Bake the pizza in a preheated oven at the highest temperature (around 500-550°F or 260°C) for 4-8 minutes, or until the crust is blistered and bubbly.
• Remove from the oven, slice, and serve.

Tips

• To prevent the pesto from turning dull, briefly blanch the basil leaves before making the pesto.
• Reduce the amount of olive oil in the pesto to prevent the pizza from becoming too greasy.
• Dollop the pesto and ricotta on the dough to create pockets of intense flavor and creaminess.
• Keep the toppings sparse to let the flavors of the pesto, ricotta, and mozzarella shine.
• For a stronger flavor profile, add bold toppings such as sun-dried tomatoes, anchovies, capers, or olives.

Grilled veggies, olives, mushrooms, and spinach

When making a pizza with ricotta, it is best to avoid using tomato sauce as it can overpower the mild flavor of the ricotta. Instead, a white pizza with ricotta as the base is a great option. To make a white pizza, you can mix ricotta with olive oil, garlic, herbs, and seasoning to create a creamy and flavorful base for your pizza.

If you want to add some spice to your pizza, you can include red pepper flakes or chili flakes. You can also top your pizza with arugula, prosciutto, or fresh basil for a fresh component.

Ingredients:

• Pizza dough (you can use a pre-made crust or make your own)
• Ricotta cheese
• Grilled veggies of your choice (such as peppers, eggplants, zucchini)
• Olives
• Mushrooms
• Spinach
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Garlic
• Herbs (such as basil, oregano, or thyme)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• Preheat your oven to a high temperature, ideally between 450-550°F.
• Prepare your pizza dough by stretching it into a circular shape on a piece of parchment paper. If using a pre-made crust, you can skip this step.
• In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, olive oil, grated garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper to create a creamy mixture.
• Spread the ricotta mixture over the pizza dough.
• Top the pizza with grilled veggies, olives, mushrooms, and spinach.
• Drizzle the pizza with extra virgin olive oil.
• Transfer the pizza to a preheated pizza stone or baking tray and bake until the crust is golden and crispy.
• Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.

Feel free to adjust the ingredients and toppings to your taste preferences. Enjoy your delicious ricotta pizza!

Frequently asked questions