Frederic Melton
Ricotta is a creamy, mild, and slightly sweet cheese that is a popular topping for pizza. It is often used as a base for white pizzas, which typically do not include tomato sauce, as the cheese's mild flavor can be overpowered by tomato sauce. Ricotta is commonly paired with other cheeses such as mozzarella, parmesan, and feta, and it can be used on a variety of pizza crusts, including thick Detroit-style pizza and thinner, crispier options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pizza Type | White Pizza |
| Base Sauce | Olive Oil |
| Toppings | Ricotta Cheese, Mozzarella, Parmesan, Artichoke, Spinach, Basil, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Red Pepper Flakes, Red Chilli Flakes, Parsley, Oregano, Rosemary, Pepperoni, Shallots, Garlic, Salt, Kale, Chives, Caramelized Onion, Fennel Sausage, Mushrooms |
| Dough | Thick Crust, Thin Crust, Crispy Crust, Honey Wheat Crust, Soft Crust, Store-bought Crust |
| Baking Equipment | Pizza Stone, Pizza Peel, Baking Sheet, Skillet, Cake Pan |
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What You'll Learn
Ricotta pizza with spinach, basil, mozzarella, and sun-dried tomatoes
Ricotta cheese is a popular ingredient in pizza-making, often paired with spinach, basil, mozzarella cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes. This combination creates a delicious and nutritious dish that pays homage to the Italian flag. Here is a step-by-step guide to making this mouth-watering pizza:
Ingredients:
- Ricotta cheese
- Spinach
- Basil
- Mozzarella cheese
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Pizza dough
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Other toppings of your choice (optional)
Instructions:
Start by preparing the pizza dough. You can make your own dough or use store-bought dough. If you're making it from scratch, follow a recipe for the best pizza dough or thin crust dough. This usually takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to rest.
Preheat your oven to 450-500°F. If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats, as this will help you achieve a perfect crust. Position an oven rack in the upper third, about 4 to 5 inches from the top.
Prepare your toppings. Sauté the spinach if you prefer it cooked, or use it fresh. Chop or tear the basil leaves. If using sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drain and pat them dry; if they are dry-packed, rehydrate them by soaking them in hot water. Mince or crush some garlic cloves, and chop any additional toppings you wish to include.
Assemble your pizza. Spread a thin layer of olive oil on the dough, creating a delicious base. Scatter the spinach over the dough, followed by dollops of ricotta cheese, which you can gently spread. Sprinkle kosher salt over the ricotta.
Add the mozzarella cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and any other toppings. If you want to include meat, consider cooked chicken or pepperoni. You can also add other vegetables, such as caramelized onions, broccoli, or artichoke hearts.
Place the pizza in the oven and bake for about 8 to 15 minutes. The baking time will depend on your oven and the desired crispness of the crust. Rotate the pizza halfway through for even cooking.
Remove the pizza from the oven when the crust is golden and slightly blistered, and the cheese is melted and deep golden. Let the pizza stand for a few minutes before topping it with basil and an optional drizzle of honey for a sweet touch.
Finally, slice the pizza and serve it hot. Enjoy the combination of fresh and decadent flavors with each bite!
Tips:
- If you want to add a spicy kick to your pizza, sprinkle some crushed red pepper on top.
- To enhance the flavor of the ricotta, mix it with salt, pepper, and minced garlic before spreading it on the dough.
- For a thinner crust, stretch the dough before adding the toppings.
- Leftover pizza slices can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Feel free to experiment with additional toppings and adjust the recipe to your taste preferences. Enjoy creating and indulging in your very own Ricotta pizza with spinach, basil, mozzarella, and sun-dried tomatoes!
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Ricotta pizza with kale
Ricotta is a creamy and light cheese with a mild, almost sweet flavour. It is a popular choice for pizza, especially white pizzas, as its mild flavour is often paired with stronger toppings.
A Ricotta Pizza with Kale is a delicious vegetarian option. The recipe below serves one and takes about 30 minutes to make.
Ingredients:
- 12-14" pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup kale, torn into 2-inch pieces
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- Cornmeal or semolina flour
- Salt
Optional Ingredients:
- Honey
- Chilli garlic paste
- Fontina cheese
- Pancetta
- Shallots
- Red pepper flakes
Method:
Preheat your oven to 400-500°F. Place a pizza stone in the oven if you have one. If using a pizza stone, also place a pizza peel in the oven. Alternatively, use a baking sheet or cookie sheet.
Prepare the kale by tearing it into 2-inch pieces and rinsing it in a colander. In a large pot, sauté the minced garlic and olive oil over medium heat for about one minute, or until the garlic is soft and fragrant. Add the kale and continue to sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the kale is wilted. Season with a pinch of salt.
In a small bowl, combine the olive oil and garlic powder, then brush the mixture onto the stretched-out pizza dough. Scatter the garlicky kale over the dough, then add dollops of ricotta (about 1 cup). Finally, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over everything.
Bake the pizza for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown, the cheese is melted, and the cheese begins to brown at the edges. If using a pizza peel, dust it with cornmeal or semolina flour before transferring the pizza to the oven.
Once the pizza is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it cool. If you have chosen to include the honey, prepare a hot honey drizzle while the pizza is baking. Drizzle the honey over the pizza before serving.
Enjoy your Ricotta Pizza with Kale!
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Detroit-style ricotta pizza with pepperoni and basil
Detroit-style pizza is a thick-crust, rectangular pizza that originated in Detroit. It is known for its crispy, cheesy crust and a variety of meaty and spicy toppings. Here is a recipe for a Detroit-style ricotta pizza with pepperoni and basil that you can make at home.
Ingredients
- Flour
- Water
- Salt
- Yeast
- Sugar
- Olive oil
- Pepperoni
- Parmesan cheese
- Ricotta cheese
- Fresh basil
- Tomato paste
- Shallots
- Red wine vinegar
Instructions
To make the dough, start by mixing flour, water, and salt in a standing mixer fitted with a dough hook. Once combined, add yeast and sugar, and continue mixing until the dough is formed. Transfer the dough to a work surface and knead until smooth.
Drizzle olive oil into a rectangular pan and place the dough in the pan. Cover with a kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm area for about an hour.
For the sauce, sauté shallots in olive oil. Add tomato paste and red wine vinegar to enhance the flavor. Spread the sauce over the dough, followed by a layer of pepperoni. Bake the pizza in a preheated oven at 500°F for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbling.
Remove the pizza from the oven and loosen the edges with a spatula to prevent sticking. Let it rest for a minute before transferring it to a wire rack to cool. Top the pizza with generous spoonfuls of ricotta cheese and fresh basil. Cut into squares and serve.
Variations
You can also try blending ricotta with mascarpone, heavy cream, and salt, and piping rosettes onto the pizza. Additionally, a drizzle of honey or hot honey can add a unique sweet and spicy flavor to the pizza.
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White pizza with ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan
The three cheeses are then added to the pizza. First, the ricotta is added by dolloping it onto the crust and gently spreading it. Then, the mozzarella and parmesan are sprinkled on top. The pizza is then baked until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted. If you are making the pizza dough yourself, you can add garlic and rosemary to the dough, and then brush it with olive oil before adding the cheeses.
You can also add other toppings to this pizza, such as artichoke hearts, fresh basil, sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or caramelized onions. If you like things a little spicy, you can add red pepper flakes or black pepper. A drizzle of honey can also take this pizza to the next level, adding a sweet and spicy flavor.
This white pizza with ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan is a delicious and versatile option that is sure to impress. It is a great choice for those who want to try something different from the traditional tomato-based pizzas.
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Ricotta pizza with artichokes and basil
Ricotta is a mild cheese, so it is traditionally paired with spinach and/or garlic, or sometimes fennel sausage. It is also commonly used as the base sauce for a white pizza, without a tomato sauce.
A popular recipe for a ricotta pizza with artichokes and basil includes a three-cheese blend of creamy ricotta, stretchy mozzarella, and salty parmesan. The dough is stretched into a circle, and the ricotta is mixed with kosher salt, fresh ground pepper, and minced garlic before being spread across the dough. The pizza is then topped with artichoke hearts, fresh basil, and a drizzle of honey.
To make the dough, follow a standard pizza dough recipe or a thin crust dough recipe. This should take about 15 minutes to make and 45 minutes to rest. If you are making the dough in advance, it can be prepared up to 72 hours before. The dough can also be made with naan or flatbread, or in a skillet as a pan pizza.
To prepare the pizza, preheat the oven to 450º-500ºF for at least 30 minutes. Lightly flour a piece of parchment paper and flatten the dough into a large circle, about 14” in diameter. In a small bowl, combine the garlic, rosemary, and olive oil. Brush the olive oil mixture over the crust. Dollop the ricotta evenly over the crust and gently spread it out. Sprinkle on the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Bake the pizza in the preheated oven until the edges are browned and the cheese is melted, about 10-12 minutes.
If you are making the pizza dough from scratch, you can also add garlic and rosemary straight into the dough, and then just brush on some olive oil before adding the cheeses. The ricotta can be seasoned with salt and pepper and mixed with garlic before being spread onto the dough. The easiest way to evenly spread the ricotta is to dollop it onto the pizza and then gently spread it with a spoon or spatula.
Once the pizza is done, allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving. This pizza is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven or at room temperature. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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Frequently asked questions
Ricotta pizza is a type of pizza that traditionally does not include tomato sauce. Instead, it uses dollops of ricotta as the base, which is then topped with other ingredients.
There are several recipes for ricotta pizza. Here are a few:
- Ricotta pizza with spinach, basil, mozzarella, and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Ricotta pizza with artichokes, fresh basil, and a drizzle of honey.
- White pizza with ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan.
- Garlicky kale and ricotta pizza.
- Detroit-style pizza with ricotta, pepperoni, and basil.
Here are some tips for making ricotta pizza:
- Use a pizza stone for a crispy crust.
- If you want the ricotta to be warm and creamy, add it to the pizza before baking.
- Taste the ricotta before adding seasonings and adjust the salt content as needed.
- If using a pizza peel, dust it with cornmeal or semolina flour before placing the pizza on it.
Some good toppings for ricotta pizza include:
- Spinach
- Basil
- Mozzarella
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Artichokes
- Honey
- Kale
- Pepperoni
- Parsley
- Red chili flakes
- Crushed red pepper
- Garlic
- Rosemary
- Olive oil
- Parsley
- Red pepper flakes
There is no definitive answer to this question as different people have different preferences. However, a thick crust is used for Detroit-style pizza, which traditionally includes ricotta. A pizza stone can also help to create a crispy crust on the outside and soft on the inside.
