Garlicky White Pizza with Mozzarella and Ricotta

Garlicky White Pizza with Mozzarella and Ricotta

If you’re a pizza lover and enjoy experimenting with new flavors, this Garlicky White Pizza with Mozzarella and Ricotta is a must-try. It’s a delightful combination of creamy cheeses, fragrant garlic, and fresh oregano, all coming together to create a mouthwatering masterpiece. Whether you have a pizza oven or a regular oven, you can easily whip up this delicious pizza at home.

Ingredients:

• 1 recipe Pizza Dough, or 1 to 1 1/4 pounds store-bought pizza dough
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese (about 8 ounces)
• 1 ounce Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup firmly packed freshly grated or 1/3 cup store-bought grated)
• 1 large clove garlic
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, plus more for garnish
• 3 small sprigs fresh oregano
• All-purpose flour, for dusting

Directions:

Prep the Ingredients:

1. Prepare the Dough:
   • If using store-bought pizza dough, divide it into 2 pieces. Let the dough sit at room temperature for at least 2 hours if it’s cold. The dough is ready when it does not bounce back when stretched.
2. Prepare the Cheese:
   • Pat and gently squeeze 8 ounces of fresh mozzarella cheese dry with paper towels if water-packed. Thinly slice the mozzarella.
   • Place 1 cup of whole-milk ricotta cheese in a small bowl. Finely grate 1 ounce of Pecorino Romano cheese (or measure out 1/3 cup store-bought grated) and add it to the bowl of ricotta. Stir to combine.
3. Make the Garlic Oil:
   • Finely chop 1 large garlic clove and place it in a small bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes if desired. Stir to combine.
4. Prepare the Oregano:
   • Pick the leaves from 3 small fresh oregano sprigs and set them aside for garnish.

Cooking Options:

Option 1: Pizza Oven

1. Heat a pizza oven to 800ºF.
2. Stretch or roll out one portion of dough on a lightly floured pizza peel into a rough 11 to 12-inch round.
3. Brush the dough round with 1 tablespoon of the garlic oil. Top evenly with half of the mozzarella and dollop all over with half of the ricotta mixture.
4. Use the peel to slide the pizza into the pizza oven. Bake until the bottom is charred in a few spots and the cheese on top is melted (you may have to turn the heat down if the crust is charring too quickly), rotating a few times for even cooking, 2 1/2 to 3 minutes total.
5. Transfer to a cutting board and repeat with the remaining dough round. Scatter the oregano leaves over the top. Garnish with more red pepper flakes if desired.

Option 2: Regular Oven

1. Place an upside-down baking sheet or pizza stone on the middle rack and heat the oven to 450ºF.
2. Stretch or roll out one portion of dough on a sheet of parchment paper into a rough 11 to 12-inch round.
3. Brush the dough round with 1 tablespoon of the garlic oil. Top evenly with half of the mozzarella and dollop all over with half of the ricotta mixture.
4. Slide, still on the parchment, onto the hot baking sheet or stone. Bake until the edges are golden-brown and the cheese on top is melted, 10 to 12 minutes.
5. Transfer to a cutting board and repeat with the remaining dough round. Scatter the oregano leaves over the top. Garnish with more red pepper flakes if desired.

Serving:

This recipe yields 4 servings. The pizza has approximately 300 kcal per slice. Enjoy this garlicky, cheesy delight fresh out of the oven, garnished with fresh oregano leaves and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for an extra kick.

Time Breakdown:

• Prep Time: 2 hours
• Cooking Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Experience the joy of homemade pizza with this Garlicky White Pizza with Mozzarella and Ricotta. Perfect for a cozy night in or a special gathering, this pizza is sure to impress with its rich flavors and satisfying texture. Happy cooking!