Description
This Spinach Ricotta Pizza combines a creamy ricotta cheese base with flavorful mozzarella, Parmesan, and fresh spinach on a homemade or store-bought pizza dough. Brushed with a seasoned olive oil crust and baked to golden perfection at high heat, this pizza delivers a deliciously creamy and savory experience with wholesome ingredients for a delightful homemade pizza night.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Dough and Crust
- 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
Cheese and Toppings
- 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
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 460°F to ensure a hot environment perfect for baking crispy pizza crust.
- Prepare the Dough: Roll out the pizza dough into a 15-16 inch round circle. Transfer the dough onto a piece of parchment paper for easy handling and baking.
- Season the Crust: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, 2 teaspoons of the Italian seasonings, kosher salt, and garlic powder. Brush this mixture around the outer one inch of the dough; this will create a flavorful crust once baked.
- Mix Ricotta Sauce: In another small bowl, mix the ricotta cheese with the remaining 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning and minced garlic until well combined. This mixture will serve as the creamy base sauce of your pizza.
- Spread Ricotta Mixture: Using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, evenly spread the ricotta mixture over the center of the rolled dough, avoiding the crust area.
- Add Mozzarella Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the ricotta layer to create a rich, cheesy topping.
- Prepare and Add Spinach: Thoroughly drain the thawed chopped spinach by pressing firmly in a colander to remove excess moisture, then evenly distribute it atop the mozzarella cheese layer. Adjust spinach quantity according to preference.
- Add Final Toppings: Sprinkle the thinly sliced red onions and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the pizza for added flavor and texture.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the pizza with parchment paper on a baking sheet or pizza stone and bake in the preheated oven at 460°F for 12-13 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
Notes
- Use fresh or high-quality ricotta cheese for the creamiest result.
- Pressing the spinach well is key to avoid a soggy pizza.
- You can customize the amount of spinach depending on your taste preferences; this recipe uses about half of a 10-ounce package.
- To ensure a crisp crust, preheat your baking surface such as a pizza stone or baking steel if available.
- This pizza is an excellent way to enjoy a creamy cheese-based sauce without traditional tomato sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 205 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 887 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 28 mg
