Description
A bright and creamy summer pizza featuring lemon-infused ricotta, melted mozzarella, and fresh basil on a golden crispy crust. This refreshing twist on traditional pizza brings sunshine to your dinner table in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
1 pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
½ cup ricotta cheese
½ cup shredded mozzarella
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tbsp lemon juice
Salt & pepper to taste
Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven during preheating.
2. Roll out your pizza dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle, leaving slightly thicker edges.
3. In a medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese with minced garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Brush the edges of the dough with olive oil to create a golden, crisp crust.
5. Spread the lemon-ricotta mixture evenly on the dough, leaving a 1-inch border for the crust.
6. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the ricotta layer. Season lightly with additional salt and pepper.
7. Bake for 12-14 minutes until the cheese bubbles and develops light golden spots, and the crust turns golden brown.
8. Remove from oven and let rest for 2 minutes to let the flavors settle and cheese set slightly.
9. Top with fresh torn basil leaves, slice, and serve immediately.
Notes
For extra crispy crust, preheat a pizza stone for 30 minutes before baking.
If ricotta seems watery, drain it in a fine-mesh strainer for 15 minutes before mixing.
Don’t skip the resting time it prevents the toppings from sliding off when slicing.
Leftover pizza keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a covered skillet over medium heat for best results.
For a spicy twist, add ½ tsp red pepper flakes to the ricotta mixture or drizzle with hot honey.
Fresh lemon juice and zest are crucial—bottled juice won’t provide the same bright flavor.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 14
- Category: Main Course, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 slices
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 420
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 12
- Cholesterol: 28
Keywords: zesty lemon pizza, lemon ricotta pizza, summer pizza recipe, easy pizza, white pizza, vegetarian pizza, fresh basil pizza, citrus pizza