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Spinach Ricotta Pizza Recipe

If you’re looking to switch up your pizza game with something creamy, fresh, and downright irresistible, then this Spinach Ricotta Pizza Recipe is exactly what you need. I absolutely love how the ricotta acts as a silky base sauce, making every bite rich without the heaviness of traditional tomato sauce. Stick around, because I’m about to share all the secrets that make this pizza a family favorite in my kitchen—and I promise, you’ll want to make it again and again.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Creamy and Flavorful: The ricotta adds a luscious, creamy element that pairs beautifully with spinach and cheeses for a delightful twist.
  • Quick and Easy Prep: You don’t need a ton of time or fancy ingredients to whip this pizza up—perfect for busy weeknights.
  • Versatile for Any Pizza Lover: Whether you’re a veggie fan or just want to try something new, this pizza hits all the right notes.
  • Family Approved: My family goes crazy for this one, and I bet yours will too once they taste it!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Spinach Ricotta Pizza Recipe shines because each ingredient complements the others perfectly. You’ll want fresh or well-thawed spinach, quality ricotta, and a good stretchy mozzarella. Little touches like Italian seasoning and minced garlic really elevate the flavors, too.

  • Homemade pizza dough: If you have time, homemade is best, but store-bought dough works great for convenience.
  • Extra-virgin olive oil: Adds richness and helps create a golden, crisp crust.
  • Italian seasonings: A blend of herbs that brings authentic pizza flavor without fuss.
  • Kosher salt: Enhances all the other flavors in the pizza.
  • Garlic powder & minced garlic: Double garlic punch for that irresistible aroma and bite.
  • Ricotta cheese: The creamy “sauce” base making this pizza extra dreamy.
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melted gooey cheese that everyone loves on pizza.
  • Frozen chopped spinach: Make sure it’s fully thawed and squeezed dry to avoid soggy dough.
  • Thinly sliced red onions: Adds a subtle sweetness and slight crunch.
  • Grated Parmesan cheese: A final savory touch that amps up the umami.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I always encourage tweaking this Spinach Ricotta Pizza Recipe to suit your tastes or what you have on hand. Playing around with toppings turns it into your own signature creation.

  • Extra veggies: I love adding mushrooms or roasted red peppers for added texture and flavor.
  • Protein boost: For a meatier option, cooked Italian sausage or sliced grilled chicken works wonderfully on top.
  • Gluten-free crust: Swap in your favorite gluten-free pizza crust to keep it friendly for all diets.
  • Spicy kick: Sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes before baking if you like a little heat.
  • Fresh herbs: Add fresh basil or oregano after baking for that fresh, garden-y aroma.

How to Make Spinach Ricotta Pizza Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Dough and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to a toasty 460°F. This high heat is key for that golden, crispy crust we all love. Roll out your dough on a piece of parchment to a 15-16” circle—that size gives you a nice thin crust without it getting floppy. I’ve found parchment paper makes transferring to the oven way easier, trust me on this!

Step 2: Season the Crust

Mix olive oil, 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and garlic powder, then brush it carefully around the outer inch of your dough. This step is a game changer— that flavorful edge becomes your perfectly seasoned crust. Plus, it seals the dough edges so toppings don’t seep out and cause sogginess.

Step 3: Spread the Ricotta Mixture

In a small bowl, combine ricotta cheese with the remaining teaspoon of Italian seasoning and the minced garlic. I like using an offset spatula to spread this creamy mixture evenly over the dough, right up to the edge of the seasoned crust. This ricotta layer acts as a luscious sauce—you’re going to love how it bakes up.

Step 4: Add the Cheese and Spinach

Next, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese across the ricotta. It melts beautifully and gets that stretchy, gooey texture everyone dreams of on pizza. For the spinach, make sure you press as much water out as possible—I learned this trick after a soggy pizza experiment (lesson learned!). Then spread the spinach evenly over the cheese—you can adjust the amount depending on how veggie-packed you like it.

Step 5: Final Toppings and Baking

Scatter the thinly sliced red onions and grated Parmesan cheese on top to finish. The onions add a subtle layer of sweetness, and the Parmesan gives that savory, nutty edge. Slide the pizza into your hot oven and bake for 12-13 minutes, or until the crust turns that perfect golden brown you know is ready to be devoured.

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Pro Tips for Making Spinach Ricotta Pizza Recipe

  • Drain the Spinach Thoroughly: When I skip this, the crust gets soggy. Use a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to press out extra moisture.
  • Preheat Your Oven Well: A super hot oven is crucial for a crispy crust; I let mine heat for at least 30 minutes before baking.
  • Use Parchment Paper: This makes sliding the pizza in and out much easier and also helps prevent sticking.
  • Season the Crust Edge: Brushing the outer edge with herb oil prevents dryness and gives a beautiful golden color and flavor boost.

How to Serve Spinach Ricotta Pizza Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a pizza with a golden brown crust that has a crispy texture with slightly charred spots and melted cheese oozing at the edges. The pizza is topped with a smooth white layer of melted cheese, spread evenly across the surface. On top, there are scattered dark green leafy vegetables and thin slices of purple onions spread evenly. The pizza is placed on a round wooden board with a white marbled background visible behind it. The combination of colors and textures gives a fresh and appetizing look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to finish this pizza with a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper and a drizzle of good-quality extra-virgin olive oil. Sometimes, I add fresh basil leaves right after it comes out of the oven—it adds a lovely brightness and gorgeous color contrast.

Side Dishes

Pair this pizza with a crisp, tangy arugula salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the creaminess. Roasted garlic mushrooms or a simple tomato bruschetta also work beautifully alongside this dish for a more complete meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special gatherings, I’ve made mini versions of this spinach ricotta pizza—perfect as appetizers or party snacks. You can also slice it in squares instead of wedges for a fun twist. Adding edible flowers or a sprinkle of microgreens on top makes it feel extra festive and enticing.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

When we have leftovers, I wrap the pizza slices tightly in parchment and aluminum foil and pop them in the fridge. They typically keep well for 3-4 days without losing much flavor or texture.

Freezing

Freezing spinach ricotta pizza is totally possible! I partially bake the pizza first, then cool it completely before wrapping it tightly to freeze. When ready to eat, I finish baking it straight from the freezer for the best texture.

Reheating

For reheating, I like to use a cast-iron skillet on the stove with a lid to keep the crust crisp and the cheese melty. A quick zap in the oven also works—just watch it closely so it doesn’t dry out.

FAQs

  1. Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen for this recipe?

    Absolutely! If you use fresh spinach, you’ll want to sauté it lightly to wilt and remove excess moisture, then squeeze it dry before adding it to the pizza. This helps prevent a soggy crust just like with the frozen spinach.

  2. Is ricotta cheese necessary, or can I substitute it?

    Ricotta is key for that creamy texture and mild flavor, but if you’re in a pinch, cream cheese or mascarpone cheese can work as substitutes. Just expect a slightly different texture and tang.

  3. What if I don’t have Italian seasoning?

    You can make your own blend with dried oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. Even a pinch of dried parsley and garlic powder will add a similar aromatic touch to the pizza.

  4. How do I prevent the pizza crust from becoming soggy?

    Draining the spinach very well and brushing the crust with the olive oil-seasoning mix before adding toppings helps a lot. Also, make sure your oven is hot enough to crisp the dough quickly.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ve enjoyed this deep dive into my Spinach Ricotta Pizza Recipe—it’s truly one of my go-to comfort foods that feels special yet easy to make. It’s become that one recipe I pull out when I want to impress guests without fuss or when I just crave a cozy night in. Give it a try soon, and let me know how your pizza turns out. I’m betting it’ll become a favorite in your house just like it is in mine!

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Spinach Ricotta Pizza Recipe

4.6 from 119 reviews
  • Author: Alvarez
  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Cook Time: 13 min
  • Total Time: 28 min
  • Yield: 8 servings (8 slices)
  • Category: Pizza
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Spinach Ricotta Pizza features a homemade or store-bought dough topped with a creamy ricotta cheese base, melted mozzarella, spinach, red onions, and Parmesan. It bakes to a golden crust and offers a deliciously creamy and savory twist on traditional pizza, perfect for a tasty and satisfying meal.


Ingredients

Pizza Dough and Crust

  • 16 oz. homemade pizza dough (can substitute store-bought dough)
  • 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tsp Italian seasonings (divided)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder

Cheese and Toppings

  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 8 oz. ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 10 oz. frozen chopped spinach (thawed)
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced red onions
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese


Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 460°F to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the pizza to a crispy golden crust.
  2. Prepare the Dough: Roll out the pizza dough into a 15-16 inch round shape and place it on a piece of parchment paper for easy transfer and clean-up.
  3. Brush the Crust: In a small dish, mix the olive oil, 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and garlic powder. Brush this flavorful mixture around the outer 1-inch border of the dough to create a seasoned crust.
  4. Make the Ricotta Spread: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, the remaining 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and minced garlic. Spread this creamy mixture evenly over the center of the dough using an offset spatula, avoiding the crust area.
  5. Add the Cheeses: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the ricotta layer for a gooey, melty topping.
  6. Drain and Add Spinach: Place the thawed spinach in a colander and press firmly to remove excess water. Spread the drained spinach evenly over the cheese layer. Adjust the spinach amount to your liking, approximately half of the 10-ounce package is used here.
  7. Add Final Toppings: Scatter thinly sliced red onions and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top to add sharpness and flavor.
  8. Bake the Pizza: Bake the assembled pizza in the preheated oven at 460°F for 12-13 minutes until the crust is golden brown and cheeses are melted and bubbly.

Notes

  • Mix up pizza night with this Spinach Ricotta Pizza! Using ricotta cheese as a “sauce” makes it extra creamy and flavorful.
  • Be sure to press out as much liquid as possible from the spinach to avoid a soggy crust.
  • You can customize the amount of spinach and cheeses to suit your preference.
  • If using store-bought dough, consider letting it rest at room temperature before rolling for easier handling.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 205 kcal
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 887 mg
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 31 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 13 g
  • Cholesterol: 28 mg

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