Name: Spinach Ricotta Pizza Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 28 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 16 oz. homemade pizza dough (can substitute store-bought dough); 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil; 3 tsp Italian seasonings (divided); 1 tsp kosher salt; ¼ tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp minced garlic; 8 oz. ricotta cheese; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 10 oz. frozen chopped spinach (thawed); ¼ cup thinly sliced red onions; ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

If you’re craving something fresh, creamy, and just downright delicious, you’re going to adore this Spinach Ricotta Pizza Recipe. I absolutely love how the ricotta takes the place of a traditional red sauce, making the pizza silky rich with a perfect balance of savory spinach and melty mozzarella. Whether you’re a pizza purist or a veggie lover, this recipe will quickly become one you reach for over and over again. Let me show you how easy and rewarding it is to whip up!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Creamy Ricotta Sauce: Replaces traditional pizza sauce with a delightful creamy layer that’s both light and indulgent.
Vegetable Packed Flavor: Spinach adds a fresh boost of nutrition without overpowering the cheese and seasonings.
Quick & Easy Prep: Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for a weeknight pizza fix.
Versatile for Customization: You can tweak toppings or seasonings easily to suit your mood or what’s in your fridge.

This is a thick crust pizza with a golden-brown baked edge sprinkled with herbs and melted cheese. The pizza has one main layer of creamy white melted cheese spread evenly across the dough, topped with scattered pieces of dark green kale and thin rings of purple red onions. The cheese shows some browning from baking, creating a textured look, and the pizza sits on a piece of parchment paper on a wooden surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Spinach Ricotta Pizza Recipe serves a purpose toward that creamy, savory magic. From a tender pizza dough base to the zest of Italian seasonings, these ingredients marry beautifully to give you a satisfying pie you’ll want to make again and again.

Homemade or Store-Bought Pizza Dough: I love using homemade dough when I have the time, but quality store-bought dough works wonders too.
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Brush it on the crust for flavor and a golden finish.
Italian Seasonings: A blend of dried herbs that brings authentic Italian flavor without the fuss.
Kosher Salt: Enhances all the flavors perfectly.
Garlic Powder & Minced Garlic: Provides a double hit of garlic goodness—one in the crust brushing, one in the ricotta layer.
Ricotta Cheese: Silky and creamy, the star of this pizza’s base.
Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully on top, ensuring that classic stringy goodness.
Frozen Chopped Spinach: Thawed and drained, it adds earthiness and color without making the pizza soggy.
Red Onions: Thinly sliced for a touch of sweetness and crunch.
Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkled at the end for that salty, nutty kick.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I’m all about making recipes your own, and this Spinach Ricotta Pizza Recipe is no exception. Over time, I’ve found a few tasty tweaks that might inspire you to get creative in your kitchen.

Adding Protein: Sometimes I toss on slices of cooked chicken sausage or crispy pancetta to make it heartier, and my family goes crazy for the combo.
Vegetarian Boost: Substitute sautéed mushrooms or roasted red peppers for extra veggie goodness.
Gluten-Free Crust: I’ve swapped in a cauliflower crust when avoiding gluten and it held up beautifully with the ricotta cheese.
Herb Variations: Fresh basil or oregano sprinkled on top after baking adds a bright, fresh punch you’ll love.

How to Make Spinach Ricotta Pizza Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Dough

First things first—preheat your oven to a toasty 460°F. I usually let it preheat for at least 20 minutes to get that perfect crisp on the crust. While that’s happening, roll your pizza dough into a roughly 15 to 16-inch round on parchment paper. This makes it so much easier to transfer the pizza later. I like to lightly flour my surface to avoid sticking, but not so much that the dough gets dry.

Step 2: Brush the Crust with Flavor

Mix the olive oil, 2 teaspoons of Italian seasonings, kosher salt, and garlic powder together and brush it all around the outer inch of your dough. This step adds a mouthwatering golden crust with a subtle garlicky-herb kick. You’ll see when it bakes that this layer crisps up beautifully and contrasts nicely with the creamy center.

Step 3: Spread the Ricotta Mixture

In a small bowl, stir together the ricotta cheese with the remaining 1 teaspoon of Italian seasonings and minced garlic. This is one of my favorite parts—the ricotta gets infused with garlic flavor that feels indulgent but fresh. Using an offset spatula, spread this ricotta mixture evenly over the dough, avoiding the brushed crust. It creates a velvety base layer that’s savory and smooth.

Step 4: Add Mozzarella and Spinach

Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly on top of the ricotta layer. Then, take your thawed frozen spinach and press it firmly in a colander to squeeze out as much water as possible. This step is key—I learned the hard way that soggy spinach can ruin the crust. Spread the spinach evenly over the cheese, adjusting the amount to your liking; I usually use about half of a 10-ounce package, but feel free to add more if you love greens.

Step 5: Top with Onions and Parmesan

Scatter the thinly sliced red onions and sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese on top. The onions add a sweet zing and a bit of crunch after baking, while Parmesan seals the deal with its nutty richness.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Transfer the pizza on the parchment paper to your hot oven—either on a pizza stone or a baking sheet. Bake for 12-13 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. Keep an eye near the end; ovens vary and you want that perfect golden color, not burnt edges. When it’s done, let it rest for a couple of minutes before slicing so the toppings set nicely.

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Pro Tips for Making Spinach Ricotta Pizza Recipe

Drain Spinach Thoroughly: I can’t stress this enough—press out as much moisture from the spinach as possible to keep your pizza crust crispy and avoid sogginess.
Use Parchment Paper: Rolling and baking on parchment makes moving the pizza in and out of the oven much easier and less messy in my experience.
Don’t Overload Toppings: Keeping toppings balanced ensures they cook evenly and the crust gets nice and crisp without excess moisture weighing it down.
Preheat Oven Fully: Let your oven reach that full temperature before baking; I learned that rushing this leads to a doughy crust.

How to Serve Spinach Ricotta Pizza Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a pizza with a golden brown crust that has a crispy texture with slightly charred spots and melted cheese oozing at the edges. The pizza is topped with a smooth white layer of melted cheese, spread evenly across the surface. On top, there are scattered dark green leafy vegetables and thin slices of purple onions spread evenly. The pizza is placed on a round wooden board with a white marbled background visible behind it. The combination of colors and textures gives a fresh and appetizing look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love finishing this pizza with a sprinkle of fresh cracked black pepper and a handful of torn fresh basil leaves. It adds that fresh, peppery pop and gorgeous green color right before serving. Sometimes I drizzle a little good-quality extra-virgin olive oil for a shiny, rich finish.

Side Dishes

This pizza pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad tossed in lemon vinaigrette or a bowl of roasted garlic and tomato soup. My family also enjoys it alongside lightly sautéed garlic green beans for an easy, balanced meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a casual gathering, I like cutting this Spinach Ricotta Pizza into small, bite-sized squares and serving it on a wooden board with dips like marinara and pesto on the side. It’s always a crowd-pleaser and looks stunning with the green spinach peeking through.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover slices keep best wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container in the fridge. I usually eat them within 2-3 days—any longer and the crust tends to soften.

Freezing

I’ve frozen whole unbaked pizzas wrapped securely in plastic wrap and foil for up to a month. When ready to bake, just thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as usual. This is a great time-saver for busy nights!

Reheating

For reheating, I prefer popping slices into a hot oven or toaster oven at 375°F for about 5-7 minutes to revive the crust crispness and warm the cheese just right. Microwaving tends to make the crust chewy, so I avoid it if I can.

FAQs

Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen in this Spinach Ricotta Pizza Recipe?

Absolutely! If using fresh spinach, sauté it lightly to remove excess moisture before adding it to the pizza. This way, you avoid soggy crust issues. Fresh spinach has a milder flavor, which complements the creamy ricotta nicely.
What can I substitute for ricotta cheese?

If you don’t have ricotta on hand, cottage cheese blended until smooth works as a substitute. Alternatively, cream cheese mixed with a splash of milk can provide a similar creamy texture.
Can I make this Spinach Ricotta Pizza Recipe vegan?

Yes! Use a vegan pizza dough and swap ricotta with a plant-based ricotta alternative or blended tofu mixed with nutritional yeast for cheesiness. Vegan mozzarella shreds complete the look and taste, making this recipe suitable for dairy-free diets.
How do I prevent the pizza crust from becoming soggy?

Draining your spinach very well before adding is key. Also, brushing the crust with olive oil and preheating your oven fully helps create a barrier that keeps the dough crispy and delicious.

Final Thoughts

This Spinach Ricotta Pizza Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s like a comfort hug on a plate without being heavy. I love how effortless it is to pull together, yet every bite feels indulgent and fresh. Give it a try on your next pizza night—you’ll find yourself reaching for this combination again and again. And trust me, once you master that ricotta sauce base, your pizza game just leveled up!