White Pizza Recipe

The Best White Pizza Recipe: Creamy, Cheesy Homemade Magic

White pizza converts traditional Italian cuisine with its creamy, luxurious approach to a beloved classic.

Cheese lovers find themselves captivated by this delectable variation that skips the typical tomato sauce.

Rich, velvety textures create a sophisticated dining experience that elevates simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Delicate herbs and multiple cheese varieties harmonize beautifully across a perfectly crisp crust.

Subtle flavor profiles allow each component to shine without overwhelming the palate.

Sophisticated yet approachable, white pizza offers a gourmet twist on a familiar favorite.

Culinary enthusiasts and casual home cooks alike will appreciate its elegant simplicity.

Why White Pizza Is a Garlic-Lover’s Dream

  • Unleash Gourmet Flavors: This white pizza transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality masterpiece with its fragrant rosemary, rich cheeses, and delicate garlic infusion.
  • Speedy Culinary Magic: Prepare a delicious homemade pizza in just 45 minutes, including preheating and baking time, making it perfect for quick weeknight dinners or spontaneous gatherings.
  • Customizable Heat Adventure: Control your spice experience by adjusting crushed red pepper levels, allowing every pizza lover to create their ideal flavor intensity without compromising the elegant cheese blend.
  • Effortless Gourmet Technique: The simple brushing and dolloping method makes this recipe approachable for home cooks of all skill levels, delivering professional-looking results with minimal cooking expertise.

What You’ll Need for a Classic White Pizza

Base Ingredients:
  • Pizza Dough: Soft, stretchy foundation for the pizza that provides a crispy texture when baked.
  • Parchment Paper: Non-stick surface helps easy transfer and prevents sticking to the pizza stone.
  • Flour: Light dusting ensures smooth dough stretching and prevents sticking.
Cheese Ingredients:
  • Ricotta Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Creamy, melty cheeses that create rich flavor and smooth texture with different levels of sharpness and creaminess.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil: High-quality oil that adds richness and helps distribute garlic and herbs.
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides deep, savory undertones to the pizza.
  • Fresh Rosemary: Fragrant herb that brings earthy and pine-like flavor notes.
  • Crushed Red Pepper: Adds optional spicy kick and can be adjusted to personal heat preference.

Steps to Bake a Creamy, Cheesy White Pizza

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Slide a pizza stone into the oven and crank up the heat to 450º-500ºF (232º-260ºC). Let it warm up for a solid 30 minutes to create the perfect crispy crust environment.

Step 2: Stretch the Dough

Grab a sheet of parchment paper and dust it lightly with flour. Gently work the pizza dough into a beautiful 14-inch circle, stretching it with your fingertips until it’s thin and even.

Step 3: Create Flavor Base

In a small mixing bowl, whip together:
  • Minced garlic
  • Freshly chopped rosemary
  • Extra virgin olive oil

Lovingly brush this aromatic mixture across the entire surface of the pizza dough.

Step 4: Layer the Cheeses

Delicately dollop ricotta cheese across the crust, spreading it into a smooth layer. Generously shower the pizza with:
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Parmesan cheese

Step 5: Add Spicy Kick

Sprinkle crushed red pepper over the top, tailoring the heat to your personal spice tolerance.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pizza into the scorching hot oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown and the cheese melts into a bubbling paradise.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Carefully remove the pizza from the oven. Slice into wedges and serve piping hot, ready to delight taste buds and satisfy hunger.

Tips for Crispy Crust and Rich Sauce

  • Preheat Like a Pro: Use a pizza stone and heat it thoroughly for at least 30 minutes to create a crispy, restaurant-quality crust that's perfectly golden.
  • Spread Cheese Strategically: Apply ricotta in gentle dollops and spread lightly to prevent a soggy base, ensuring each slice maintains a delightful texture.
  • Control Spice Level: Customize crushed red pepper distribution to match your heat tolerance, sprinkling sparingly or generously based on personal preference.
  • Olive Oil Magic: Infuse garlic and rosemary into extra virgin olive oil for an aromatic base that elevates the entire pizza's flavor profile.
  • Watch Baking Time Carefully: Monitor pizza in the last few minutes of cooking to achieve beautifully browned edges without burning the delicate cheese and crust.

Keeping White Pizza Delicious After Day One

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover white pizza slices in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual slices in aluminum foil, then place in a freezer-safe bag to preserve for up to 2 months. Label with the date to track freshness.
  • Reheat: Restore crispy crust by warming slices in a preheated oven at 375°F for 8-10 minutes. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent soggy texture and maintain original pizza quality.

Side Dishes That Work with White Pizza

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the creamy ricotta and herbal rosemary notes, cutting through the rich cheese flavors with its bright acidity.
  • Match with Fresh Arugula Salad: Create a light side salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance the pizza's richness, adding a peppery crunch that enhances the overall dining experience.
  • Serve with Chilled Prosecco: The sparkling Italian wine's light bubbles and subtle sweetness perfectly contrast the savory white pizza, elevating the meal's sophistication and refreshing the palate.
  • Enjoy with Herb-Infused Olive Oil: Drizzle additional extra virgin olive oil with fresh herbs around the pizza's edge for an extra layer of aromatic depth and Mediterranean-inspired flavor.

Ingredient Ideas to Elevate Your White Pizza

  • Herbaceous Green Base: Swap ricotta for a vibrant spinach and herb spread, blending fresh basil, parsley, and creamy goat cheese for an earthy Mediterranean-inspired pizza.
  • Seafood Sensation: Top the white pizza with delicate shrimp or lump crab meat, adding a sprinkle of dill and lemon zest to enhance the ocean-fresh flavors.
  • Mushroom Medley: Replace some cheese with roasted wild mushrooms like porcini, shiitake, and cremini, drizzling truffle oil for an elegant, umami-rich experience.
  • Prosciutto and Arugula Finish: After baking, layer thin slices of prosciutto and fresh arugula on top, creating a salty, peppery contrast to the creamy white base.
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White Pizza Recipe

White Pizza Recipe


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4.9 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Creamy white pizza delivers a luxurious Italian-inspired experience with silky ricotta and mozzarella melting over a perfectly crisp crust. Fragrant herbs and garlic elevate this classic dish, inviting you to savor each delectable bite of comfort and pure culinary pleasure.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 pound (1 lb) pizza dough
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¾ cup ricotta cheese
  • ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Herbs and Spices:

  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
  • Crushed red pepper

Oils and Additional Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

  1. Position the pizza stone in the oven and heat to 450º-500ºF, allowing the stone to warm thoroughly for a complete half-hour to ensure optimal cooking surface temperature.
  2. Dust a parchment sheet with flour and gently stretch the pizza dough into a thin, expansive circle approximately 14 inches wide, maintaining an even thickness throughout.
  3. Create a fragrant herb-infused oil by blending minced garlic, finely chopped rosemary, and extra virgin olive oil in a small mixing bowl.
  4. Uniformly brush the herbed oil across the entire pizza dough surface, ensuring complete and even coverage.
  5. Delicately distribute ricotta cheese over the oiled crust, using gentle spreading motions to create a smooth, consistent layer.
  6. Generously sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the ricotta, allowing for a multi-dimensional cheese landscape.
  7. Enhance the pizza with a light dusting of crushed red pepper, calibrating the intensity to personal spice preferences.
  8. Transfer the prepared pizza on the parchment paper directly onto the preheated stone and bake until the crust edges turn golden brown and the cheeses melt into a bubbling, appetizing surface, approximately 10-12 minutes.
  9. Extract the pizza from the oven, let it rest momentarily, then slice into wedges and serve piping hot for maximum flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Preheat pizza stone for perfect crispy crust, ensuring even heat distribution and restaurant-quality results.
  • Use parchment paper for easy dough handling and smooth transfer to hot stone without tearing or stretching.
  • Infuse olive oil with garlic and rosemary for deeper, more complex flavor profile before brushing onto crust.
  • Layer cheeses strategically: ricotta as base, then mozzarella and Parmesan for creamy, melty, and textured finish.
  • Adjust crushed red pepper quantity to personalize heat level, allowing each diner’s spice preference.
  • Watch pizza closely during final minutes to achieve golden-brown edges without burning delicate toppings.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 435
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 550 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 37 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 19 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

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