Pizza Bianca Recipe - Creamy & Savory Italian White Pizza

Pizza Bianca is a delicious variation from the typical pizza. Instead of the usual tomato base, this version uses creamy cheeses, garlic, and aromatic herbs, making for an indulgent-plus-fresh taste with each bite. The thin crisp golden crust and toppings from creamy ricotta to potently melted mozzarella are perfect whether you want to serve it as a main dish or else as appetizers. Let me show you how to prepare this savory Italian dish at home.

Ingredients

To make a perfect Pizza Bianca, you'll need the following ingredients for the dough, toppings, and drizzle:

For the Pizza Dough:

2 ¼ teaspoons dry yeast (1 packet)
1 ½ cups warm water
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon sugar

For the Toppings:

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 cups ricotta cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese (preferably whole milk)
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
Fresh rosemary or thyme (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

For Drizzling (Optional but Recommended):

A drizzle of honey or balsamic glaze
Fresh arugula (optional for garnish)

Instructions

Making homemade dough for Pizza Bianca turns out being the first step. The procedure might seem, on occasion, a little long, but trust us, a crisp crust would be worth your effort. Few hints to get it right:

Prepare the Pizza Dough

Welcome to the magic, where magic happens, the pizza dough! Let's go ahead and wake up our yeast. In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and dry yeast. Stir and allow it to rest for about 5 to 10 minutes. Are you seeing plenty of bubbles and foam? Your yeast is saying that it is ready to work its magic for you.

Then take out your large bowl, sift in the flour, and add a pinch of salt. Pour in the foam yeast mixture and then olive oil on top. Stir until the dough begins to come together. After forming, flour your surface and keep kneading. This is going to keep the flour handy for about 8-10 minutes until the dough feels soft, smooth, and slightly stretched with a tiny little tack on the hands. Don't flour it too much. You want it to be a little tacky on the hands.

Prepare the Ricotta Base

While the dough rises, it is time to whip up that creamy base of ricotta. In a small bowl, add ricotta cheese, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Blend all together until smooth and silky. This creamy cheese layer is the magical base that will take your pizza to a whole new dimension. Set it aside for its moment of glory later!

Rolling the Dough

Once doubled in size, give it a gentle punch down. Be affectionate, and try not to spoil it. Cut it in half for two small pizzas or leave the dough whole if it is big pizza time for you. Sprinkle some flour on your countertop and roll out the dough to a 12 to 14-inch diameter circle (or whatever size you want). While rolling out, place your pizza stone into the oven and give it a good 30-minute preheat at 475°F (245°C) to get it really hot!

Assemble the Pizza

The most fun part of the Pizza Bianca, assembling, is now here. Spread an even layer of the ricotta mixture all over the dough. It should be thin enough to see through and cover the entire surface, except for a narrow border for the crust.

Next, ship a moderate heap of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top of the ricotta. A generous seasoning would weigh down your pizza.

Put minced garlic from above to each slice to make sure it will shower each one with an explosion of flavor. If you have fresh rosemary or thyme, then scatter some sprigs onto the pizza. Those will provide the aroma to balance with the cheese's richness.

Bake the Pizza

Into the oven goes the pizza to bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until golden brown crust with crisp edges and bubbling light brown cheese. Another thing to note is that with your stone, the cooking time might be a bit less, so be alert. Maybe let it rest for a minute or two after taking the pizza out of the oven and before slicing until the cheese sets a little-then cutting should be very easy.

Tips for Perfecting Your Pizza Bianca

Simple yet elegant, with a few little tricks, your pizza can get to the next level. Here are some tips so that your pizza always turns out perfectly:

Adjust the Cheese Blend

For those who love extra richness, feel free to experiment with other cheeses. Gruyere, Fontina, or even a bit of blue cheese could be an interesting option for the classic. Just remember that too much cheese will drown the delicate taste of the ricotta and herbs.

Experiment with Fresh Herbs

Rosemary and thyme are classic, but fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or sage are worth a try. Fresh herbs pack loads of flavor and aroma that give the pizza an extra layer of complexity.

Serve with a Drizzle

Though optional, honey or balsamic glaze becomes such an addition that sells your subtle sweetness to contrast with the savory cheeses. Fresh arugula brings in a peppery bite that balances out the richness of the pizza. Such small things can elevate your Pizza Bianca into the gourmet level.

These tips will without a doubt ensure your Pizza Bianca pleases anyone in the room when hosting or eating by yourself. Happy baking!

Final Thoughts - An Italian Slice, Creamy and Savory

Pizza Bianca will appeal to anyone who wants a lighter twist on pizza, yet still indulge in it. It is a flavorful combination of rich, cheesy goodness with notes of garlic and fresh herbs. The divine thing about it would be serving it as the main course in a cozy dinner or serving it as a fancy white pizza appetizer at a party, so it always impresses. Nonetheless, it is easy to prepare and full of culinary sophistication, reminding us that the best dishes tend to be the simplest so that they serve to highlight the core ingredients. Enjoy each bite!