Description
This Spinach White Pizza features a creamy garlic white sauce topped with fresh wilted spinach, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses on a crisp, golden crust. Ready in just 27 minutes, it’s a delightful vegetarian pizza that combines rich flavors and fresh herbs for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Base
- 1 pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing dough)
White Garlic Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Toppings
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil or oregano (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it inside the oven to heat up while the oven preheats, ensuring a crispy crust.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned to release its aroma.
- Prepare the White Sauce: Pour in heavy cream and milk, stirring constantly to combine with the butter and garlic. Season the mixture with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you want a subtle heat. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then lower the heat and cook for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Wilt the Spinach: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a separate pan over medium heat. Add the fresh chopped spinach and cook while stirring occasionally for 2-3 minutes until the spinach is wilted but still vibrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Roll Out the Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough to your preferred size and thickness. If using a pizza stone, transfer the shaped dough onto a piece of parchment paper on a pizza peel for easy transfer to the oven.
- Brush the Dough: Lightly brush the surface of the stretched dough with olive oil to help the crust crisp up beautifully during baking.
- Assemble the Pizza: Spread the prepared white garlic sauce evenly across the pizza dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.
- Add the Spinach: Evenly distribute the wilted spinach over the white sauce layer.
- Cheese Layers: Dot the pizza with spoonfuls of ricotta cheese, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly on top. Finish by scattering the grated Parmesan over everything for an extra cheesy crust and flavor boost.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the pizza in the preheated oven on the pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust turns golden brown and the cheeses melt to a bubbly, inviting finish.
- Garnish and Serve: Once out of the oven, optionally garnish with fresh basil or oregano for an herbal note. Slice and serve your delicious Spinach White Pizza immediately while hot.
Notes
- You can use store-bought or homemade pizza dough depending on your preference.
- Red pepper flakes are optional, but they add a nice subtle heat to balance the creamy sauce.
- Using a pizza stone helps to achieve a crispier crust but is not mandatory.
- Fresh herbs like basil or oregano elevate the flavor when added just before serving.
- For a lighter version, consider using part-skim mozzarella and substituting heavy cream with half-and-half.
