Looking for a delicious twist on traditional pizza? Ricotta cheese might be your new best friend. Creamy, rich, and slightly sweet, ricotta takes your homemade pizza game to the next level. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or guests, this ricotta cheese pizza recipe is simple to follow and seriously satisfying. In this guide, you’ll learn how to make an amazing ricotta pizza from scratch — including ingredients, step-by-step instructions, topping ideas, and answers to common ricotta-related questions. Let’s get started!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of ricotta cheese pizza is that it’s incredibly flexible. Here’s what you’ll need for the base recipe:
- Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- Ricotta cheese (whole milk for richness or part-skim for lighter)
- Olive oil
- Fresh garlic
- Mozzarella cheese (optional for added meltiness)
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh herbs (like basil, oregano, or thyme)
- Salt & black pepper
- Toppings (spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, zucchini, caramelized onions, etc.)
If you’re feeling adventurous, you might also enjoy trying other creative pizza recipes like this Pickle Pie Pizza from Quickly Taste for something quirky and fun.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Ricotta Cheese Pizza
- Preheat Your Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it inside to heat up. If not, a baking sheet will work just fine.
- Roll Out Your Dough
On a floured surface, roll out your pizza dough to your preferred thickness. A 12-inch circle works great for a classic pizza size.
- Make a Garlic Oil Base
Instead of tomato sauce, we’ll use a garlic oil base. In a small pan, sauté a few minced garlic cloves in olive oil for 1–2 minutes. Brush the garlic oil evenly over your dough.
- Add the Ricotta
Use a spoon to drop dollops of ricotta across the pizza. Don’t spread it like sauce — just space the dollops out so every bite gets some creamy goodness.
- Add Other Cheeses (Optional)
Sprinkle some shredded mozzarella and a bit of grated parmesan over the top. This adds a salty, melty element that complements the ricotta.
- Choose Your Toppings
Now add your toppings. Here are a few great combos:
– Spinach + mushroom: classic and earthy
– Zucchini + lemon zest: light and fresh
– Tomato + basil: simple and flavorful
Keep it balanced — too many toppings can make the crust soggy. If you’re new to ricotta on pizza, check out Serious Eats’ ricotta pizza recipe for expert techniques and topping inspiration. - Bake to Perfection
Bake your pizza for 12–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. Let it cool for a couple of minutes before slicing.
Customization Ideas
One of the best parts about ricotta pizza is how easy it is to personalize. Here are a few ideas to mix things up:
- Meat lovers: Add prosciutto, sausage, or grilled chicken (pre-cooked).
- Veggie-packed: Try roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, or sun-dried tomatoes.
- Extra flavor: Sprinkle with red pepper flakes or drizzle with hot honey or pesto after baking.
Love experimenting with new ways to use ricotta? Check out The Kitchn’s creative ricotta ideas for delicious ways to use any leftovers from this recipe.
FAQs About Ricotta Cheese on Pizza
Yes — ricotta is fantastic on pizza! It brings a creamy, slightly sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with fresh herbs, garlic, and vegetables. It adds a soft, rich texture that balances crispy crusts and bold toppings. For more variety, try the alternative ricotta pizza recipe from Quickly Taste that takes a slightly different approach.
Ricotta works well with both veggies and meats. Try spinach, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, or caramelized onions. For protein, add prosciutto, sausage, or grilled chicken. It also goes great with herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme. Need topping ideas that go beyond the usual? The folks at Bon Appétit have a great white pizza guide to help you layer flavors like a pro.
Ricotta doesn’t melt in the same way mozzarella does. Instead, it softens and becomes creamy. You won’t get the stringy, gooey effect, but you will get smooth, rich bites that are incredibly satisfying.
No — ricotta and mozzarella melt very differently. Mozzarella stretches and bubbles, while ricotta stays creamy and holds its shape. That’s why it’s usually added in spoonfuls across the pizza instead of spread out. This contrast makes ricotta ideal for “white pizza” styles and other gourmet variations.
Final Thoughts
Ricotta cheese pizza is the perfect way to switch up your pizza night. It’s creamy, cozy, and totally customizable. Whether you go all-veggie, add some meat, or keep it classic with herbs and cheese, ricotta brings a fresh flavor and creamy texture that’s hard to beat.
It’s easy enough for weeknight dinners but fancy enough for a dinner party. Plus, you don’t need any fancy ingredients — just good cheese, fresh toppings, and a hot oven.
Want to learn more fun food facts while you cook? Check out why pizza is sometimes called a “pizza pie” for a bit of culinary trivia while your dough rises.
Ready to give it a try? Grab your ingredients, preheat your oven, and enjoy the cheesy, creamy deliciousness of homemade ricotta pizza. Don’t forget to snap a photo of your creation and share it using the hashtag #RicottaPizzaMagic — we’d love to see what you make!
Ricotta Cheese Pizza
Equipment
- Oven
- Pizza stone or baking sheet
- Rolling Pin
- Skillet (for garlic oil)
Ingredients
Pizza Base
- 2 pizza dough balls store-bought or homemade
- olive oil for garlic oil and brushing
- 2 cloves garlic minced
Cheese and Toppings
- 1 cup ricotta cheese whole milk preferred
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese optional, shredded
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- fresh herbs basil, oregano, or thyme
- salt and pepper to taste
- vegetable toppings spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C). Heat pizza stone or baking sheet if using.
- Roll out dough on a floured surface into 12-inch circles.
- In a pan, sauté garlic in olive oil for 1–2 minutes. Brush garlic oil over dough.
- Spoon dollops of ricotta onto dough. Optionally add mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Add desired toppings and herbs. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling. Cool slightly before slicing.