Quick & Garlicky White Pizza with Mozzarella and Ricotta Recipe

Garlicky white pizza combines creamy, rich flavors that reinvent an ordinary meal into a culinary adventure.

Layers of melted cheese create a luxurious landscape across a crisp, golden crust.

Aromatic herbs and smooth ricotta elevate this classic dish beyond traditional expectations.

Savory garlic infuses each bite with intense, complex notes that dance across your palate.

Light and decadent, this pizza represents a delightful departure from standard tomato-based recipes.

Complex textures and harmonious ingredients make this dish a crowd-pleasing masterpiece that satisfies sophisticated and simple taste preferences.

Bold yet balanced, the combination promises a memorable dining experience that delights both casual and passionate food enthusiasts.

Why Garlic White Pizza Shines

• Unleash Garlicky Goodness: This pizza delivers an intense burst of garlic flavor through infused olive oil, creating a mouthwatering aroma that elevates the entire dish.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: The combination of creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and sharp Pecorino Romano creates a luxurious, multi-dimensional cheese experience that tantalizes taste buds.
• Flexible Cooking Flexibility: Whether you've got a pizza oven or a standard home oven, this recipe provides foolproof instructions to achieve perfectly crispy, golden-brown crust with minimal effort.
• Quick and Simple Gourmet: With just a few high-quality ingredients and straightforward preparation, you can transform basic pizza dough into a restaurant-worthy meal in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for spontaneous dinners or impressive entertaining.

Ingredients for Garlicky White Pizza

• Pizza Dough: Soft, stretchy foundation for the pizza, best at room temperature before use, homemade or store-bought options work well.
• Flour: Light dusting to prevent sticking and help with stretching the dough.

• Mozzarella Cheese, Ricotta Cheese: Creamy, melty base for white pizza, fresh whole-milk variety provides best texture and flavor.
• Pecorino Romano Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese adding depth to the overall cheese mixture, can be freshly grated or store-bought.

• Garlic: Aromatic base providing robust, pungent flavor, fresh clove recommended.
• Olive Oil: Smooth, rich carrier for garlic and seasoning, helps create golden crust.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall seasoning and balances flavors.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional spicy element adding subtle heat and complexity.
• Fresh Oregano: Bright, herbal garnish providing fresh finish to the pizza.

How to Prepare White Pizza with Mozzarella and Ricotta

Step 1: Prepare Pizza Dough

If using store-bought pizza dough, divide into 2 pieces. Allow cold dough to sit at room temperature for at least 2 hours. The dough is ready when it stretches without bouncing back.

Step 2: Prepare Cheese Mixture

Pat and squeeze fresh mozzarella cheese dry with paper towels

Thinly slice mozzarella

Place whole-milk ricotta in a bowl

Finely grate Pecorino Romano cheese

Mix ricotta and Pecorino Romano together

Step 3: Create Garlic Infused Oil

Finely chop garlic clove

• Olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Stir ingredients together

Pick oregano leaves for garnish

Step 4: Pizza Oven Method

Heat pizza oven to 800°F

Stretch dough on floured pizza peel to 11-12 inch round

Brush dough with garlic oil

Add mozzarella slices

Dollop ricotta mixture

Slide pizza into oven

Bake 2.5-3 minutes, rotating for even cooking

Transfer to cutting board

Repeat with second dough round

Garnish with oregano leaves and extra red pepper flakes

Step 5: Regular Oven Method

Place upside-down baking sheet or pizza stone on middle rack

Preheat oven to 450°F

Stretch dough on parchment paper to 11-12 inch round

Brush dough with garlic oil

Add mozzarella slices

Dollop ricotta mixture

Slide pizza (with parchment) onto hot baking sheet

Bake 10-12 minutes until edges are golden

Transfer to cutting board

Repeat with second dough round

Garnish with oregano leaves and extra red pepper flakes

Smart Tips for White Pizza Night

• Warm Up the Dough: Let cold pizza dough rest at room temperature for at least 2 hours to ensure easy stretching and a perfect texture.
• Dry Your Cheese Thoroughly: Pat fresh mozzarella with paper towels to remove excess moisture, preventing a soggy pizza base.
• Create Flavor-Packed Garlic Oil: Infuse olive oil with minced garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes for an extra punch of flavor across the entire pizza.
• Use Parchment Paper Trick: When baking in a regular oven, use parchment paper to easily transfer the pizza and prevent sticking.
• Rotate for Even Cooking: Whether using a pizza oven or regular oven, rotate the pizza during cooking to ensure a perfectly crispy, evenly charred crust.

Best Storage Methods for White Pizza

• Refrigerate: Store leftover pizza slices in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
• Reheat in Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F. Place pizza slices on a baking sheet and warm for 5-7 minutes until cheese is melted and crust becomes crispy again.
• Microwave Option: For a quick reheat, place pizza slice on a microwave-safe plate and warm for 30-45 seconds, but expect a softer crust compared to oven reheating.

What to Serve with Garlicky White Pizza

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the richness of the cheese and complements the garlic's intensity, creating a refreshing balance.
• Serve with Arugula Salad: A light, peppery arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette provides a zesty contrast to the creamy, garlicky pizza, adding a fresh and bright element to the meal.
• Enhance with Herb-Infused Olive Oil: Drizzle a basil or rosemary-infused olive oil over the pizza just before serving to amplify the herbal notes and add an extra layer of aromatic complexity.
• Complement with Chilled Prosecco: The bubbly, light-bodied sparkling wine offers a palate-cleansing effect and its subtle sweetness harmonizes beautifully with the savory garlic and creamy cheeses.

White Pizza Recipe Remixes

• Herbal Haven: Replace oregano with fresh basil leaves, adding a sweet and peppery flavor profile that complements the rich cheeses and garlic.
• Spicy Southern: Swap red pepper flakes for hot chorizo crumbles, creating a zesty meat-infused white pizza with a smoky kick.
• Mediterranean Melody: Top the pizza with roasted artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, and a sprinkle of za'atar spice blend for a Mediterranean-inspired version that brings vibrant regional flavors.
• Green Goddess: Add sautéed spinach and thinly sliced zucchini before baking, introducing fresh green vegetables and extra nutrients to the classic white pizza recipe.

Garlicky White Pizza with Mozzarella and Ricotta Recipe

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4.7 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Garlicky white pizza blends creamy ricotta and melted mozzarella in a luxurious Italian-inspired masterpiece. Crisp crust and aromatic garlic create a simple yet irresistible meal eager diners will devour with pure culinary passion.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 recipe pizza dough, or 1 to 1 ¼ pounds (0.45 to 0.57 kilograms) store-bought pizza dough
• 8 ounces (226 grams) fresh mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup (237 milliliters / 8 ounces) whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 1 ounce (28 grams) Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 large clove garlic
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, plus more for garnish

Herbs and Oil:

• 3 small sprigs fresh oregano
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• All-purpose flour, for dusting

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Instructions

1. Prepare the pizza dough by allowing it to reach room temperature if cold, ensuring it stretches easily without resistance.
2. Drain fresh mozzarella thoroughly using paper towels, then slice thinly. Mix ricotta with grated Pecorino Romano cheese in a small bowl until well combined.
3. Create a fragrant garlic oil by finely chopping garlic and blending with olive oil, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes. Set aside oregano leaves for final garnish.
4. For pizza oven method: Heat the pizza oven to extremely high temperature. Stretch dough on a floured pizza peel into a circular shape approximately 11-12 inches wide.
5. Brush the stretched dough generously with prepared garlic oil. Distribute mozzarella slices evenly across the surface.
6. Carefully dollop ricotta mixture across the pizza, creating rustic cheese patches.
7. Slide pizza into the scorching pizza oven, rotating occasionally to ensure even cooking and prevent burning. Bake until crust develops charred spots and cheese melts completely, approximately 2-3 minutes.
8. For standard oven method: Position an inverted baking sheet or pizza stone on the middle rack. Preheat oven to 450ºF.
9. Stretch dough on parchment paper into an 11-12 inch round. Apply garlic oil, then arrange mozzarella and ricotta similarly to pizza oven technique.
10. Transfer pizza on parchment to the heated baking surface. Bake until edges turn golden and cheese melts, roughly 10-12 minutes.
11. Remove pizza, transfer to cutting board, and repeat process with remaining dough.
12. Finish by scattering fresh oregano leaves over the top and adding extra red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

• Dough Preparation Matters: Let store-bought pizza dough rest at room temperature for 2 hours to ensure optimal stretching and texture.
• Cheese Handling Tip: Pat fresh mozzarella dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture and achieve a perfect crispy pizza base.
• Flavor Boost: Infuse olive oil with garlic, salt, and optional red pepper flakes for an extra layer of delicious seasoning.
• Cooking Surface Crucial: Use a pizza stone or upside-down baking sheet to create a crispy, restaurant-style crust at home.
• Versatile Cooking Options: Prepare this pizza in a high-heat pizza oven for a quick 3-minute cook or in a standard oven for about 12 minutes.
• Finishing Touch: Sprinkle fresh oregano leaves and additional red pepper flakes for a burst of fresh herbs and optional heat.

• Prep Time: 2 hours
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 580
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg