Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich and creamy ricotta cheese topping
- Fresh spinach adds flavor and nutrition
- Perfect vegetarian pizza option
- Easy to prepare at home
- Crispy crust with melty cheese
- Great for lunch, dinner, or entertaining
- Customizable with additional toppings
- Restaurant-quality flavor
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Pizza
- 1 pound pizza dough
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Toppings
- Red pepper flakes
- Sliced mushrooms
- Caramelized onions
- Fresh basil leaves
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C).
- Place a pizza stone in the oven or lightly grease a pizza pan.
- In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, garlic, salt, and black pepper.
- Stretch or roll the pizza dough into a 12- to 14-inch round.
- Transfer the dough to a pizza peel or prepared pizza pan.
- Brush the surface lightly with olive oil.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough.
- Dollop the ricotta mixture across the pizza.
- Scatter the chopped spinach evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Add any optional toppings if desired.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and allow the pizza to cool for 2–3 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh basil or red pepper flakes if desired.
- Slice and serve warm.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 8
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
- White Pizza: Add a garlic cream sauce instead of olive oil.
- Spinach Artichoke Pizza: Add chopped artichoke hearts.
- Mushroom Ricotta Pizza: Top with sautéed mushrooms.
- Four Cheese Pizza: Add provolone and fontina cheeses.
- Mediterranean Pizza: Include olives and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Pesto Ricotta Pizza: Drizzle pesto over the finished pizza.
- Spicy Version: Add crushed red pepper flakes and sliced hot peppers.
Storage/Reheating
Storage
Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing
Freeze individual slices wrapped tightly for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Reheat in a 375°F (190°C) oven, air fryer, or skillet until the crust is crisp and the cheese is heated through.
FAQs
Can I use frozen spinach?
Yes. Thaw and squeeze out as much moisture as possible before using.
What does ricotta add to pizza?
Ricotta provides a creamy texture and mild flavor that pairs beautifully with spinach and mozzarella.
Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Absolutely. Store-bought dough works very well for this recipe.
Is this considered a white pizza?
Yes. Since it does not use traditional tomato sauce, it falls into the white pizza category.
Can I add meat?
Yes. Grilled chicken, Italian sausage, or bacon are great additions.
What cheese works best with ricotta?
Mozzarella, Parmesan, provolone, and fontina all complement ricotta nicely.
How do I keep the pizza from becoming soggy?
Avoid overloading the pizza with wet ingredients and drain spinach thoroughly.
Can I make this pizza on a grill?
Yes. Grilling adds a delicious smoky flavor to the crust.
What side dishes pair well with Ricotta Spinach Pizza?
A Caesar salad, mixed greens, roasted vegetables, or garlic knots are excellent choices.
Can I prepare the ricotta mixture ahead of time?
Yes. The ricotta mixture can be made up to a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
Conclusion
Ricotta Spinach Pizza is a flavorful and elegant white pizza that combines creamy ricotta, fresh spinach, and melted cheeses on a crispy crust. Simple enough for a weeknight meal yet impressive enough for entertaining, this pizza delivers a wonderful balance of richness and freshness. Whether enjoyed as a vegetarian main course or customized with additional toppings, it’s a delicious recipe that deserves a spot in your pizza rotation.
PrintRicotta Spinach Pizza
Ricotta Spinach Pizza is a creamy white pizza topped with rich ricotta cheese, fresh spinach, mozzarella, and Parmesan on a crispy golden crust. This flavorful vegetarian pizza offers a perfect balance of comfort and classic Italian-inspired flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Sliced mushrooms (optional)
- Caramelized onions (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C).
- Place a pizza stone in the oven or lightly grease a pizza pan.
- In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, garlic, salt, and black pepper.
- Stretch or roll the pizza dough into a 12- to 14-inch round.
- Transfer the dough to a pizza peel or prepared pizza pan.
- Brush the surface lightly with olive oil.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough.
- Dollop the ricotta mixture across the pizza.
- Scatter the chopped spinach evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Add any optional toppings if desired.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and allow the pizza to cool for 2–3 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh basil or red pepper flakes if desired.
- Slice and serve warm.
Notes
- Frozen spinach can be used if thoroughly thawed and drained.
- Ricotta adds a creamy texture that pairs perfectly with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- For extra flavor, add sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions.
- This pizza is considered a classic white pizza because it does not use tomato sauce.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in an oven, air fryer, or skillet to maintain a crisp crust.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
