Ricotta Be Kidding Me: Creamy Ricotta & Spinach Pizza on a Crispy Whole Wheat Crust

Whisking you through life, one recipe at a time.

If pizza night at your house is sacred, this ricotta and spinach pizza recipe deserves a permanent spot in the rotation. It’s creamy, garlicky, cheesy, and packed with tender spinach for a homemade pizza that feels just a little bit fancy without making you work for it. This is the kind of healthy spinach ricotta pizza that tastes like something you’d order at a cozy café, but it’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner, a family movie night, or even a build-your-own pizza party.

What I love most about this homemade pizza recipe is the balance. The ricotta brings that luscious, creamy texture, while the spinach, garlic, and shallots keep every bite fresh and flavorful. If you want to keep things simple, start with a premade pizza crust. If you’re in the mood to go fully from scratch, you can use my pizza dough for a more homemade feel.

And because pizza night is never a one-recipe affair around here, this post now gives readers more ways to stay on the site and keep dinner inspiration flowing—exactly what we want for Google, Pinterest, and Mediavine.

Why You’ll Love This Ricotta and Spinach Pizza Recipe

This pizza proves that simple ingredients can still bring big flavor. It’s hearty enough for dinner, light enough not to leave you feeling weighed down, and easy enough to make any night of the week.

• Creamy and comforting: Ricotta gives every slice a soft, rich bite without feeling overly heavy.
• Loaded with flavor: Garlic, shallots, and spinach make this vegetarian pizza taste anything but boring.
• Weeknight-friendly: Use a shortcut crust or make it from scratch depending on your mood.
• Customizable: Add extra veggies or pair it with other pizza-night favorites.
• Perfect for readers searching for healthier pizza recipes: Whole wheat crust and spinach make this a feel-good dinner option.

If your family likes variety, you can also turn pizza night into a mini feast by serving this recipe alongside Easy French Bread Pizza Recipe, a bold salami buffalo mozzarella pizza, or an appetizer-style side like easy pull apart pizza bread recipe.

Ingredients for Ricotta and Spinach Pizza

These ingredients are simple, but together they create a creamy spinach pizza topping that tastes fresh, savory, and satisfying.

• ¼ cup chopped garlic
• ¼ cup finely chopped shallots
• 2 pounds fresh spinach
• ½ teaspoon Pritikin All-Purpose Seasoning
• 1 pound fat-free ricotta cheese
• 1 whole wheat pizza crust

Optional add-ins: sliced mushrooms, roasted red peppers, black olives, crushed red pepper flakes, or a sprinkle of mozzarella for extra melt.

How to Make Ricotta and Spinach Pizza

This method is straightforward and easy to follow, which makes it ideal for recipe schema and for busy readers who want dinner on the table fast.

1. Preheat the oven. Heat your oven to 450 degrees F so the crust bakes up crisp and golden.
2. Sauté the aromatics. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped garlic and finely chopped shallots until softened and translucent, stirring often so they don’t brown too quickly.
3. Wilt the spinach. Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until it collapses and becomes tender. Stir well so the garlic and shallots distribute throughout the greens.
4. Cool and drain. Remove the spinach mixture from the heat and let it cool slightly. Transfer it to a strainer and press or squeeze out as much excess liquid as possible.
5. Make the topping. In a mixing bowl, combine the drained spinach mixture with the Pritikin All-Purpose Seasoning and ricotta cheese. Stir until creamy and evenly mixed.
6. Assemble the pizza. Spread the ricotta-spinach mixture over the whole wheat pizza crust in an even layer, leaving a small border around the edge. Add any extra vegetables if you’d like.
7. Bake. Place the pizza in the oven and bake for about 8 minutes, or until the crust is crunchy and the topping is hot.
8. Serve. Remove from the oven, let it rest briefly, slice, and serve immediately.

Expert Tips for the Best Spinach Ricotta Pizza

• Drain the spinach well: This is the secret to avoiding a soggy pizza.
• Spread the topping evenly: An even layer helps the pizza bake consistently.
• Use a hot oven: High heat helps the crust crisp quickly while warming the topping through.
• Don’t overload the crust: Too many extra vegetables can add too much moisture.
• Give it a finishing touch: A light drizzle of olive oil or a pinch of red pepper flakes right before serving can add extra flavor.

If your readers love homemade pizza experiments, naturally work in inspiration with a spoonful of copycat pizza hut pizza sauce, use copycat pizza hut pizza dough for a different crust style, or branch into outdoor pizza season with how to grill pizza.

Variations and Creative Ideas for Ricotta Pizza

This spinach ricotta pizza is delicious as written, but it also plays well with others.

• Add mushrooms: Earthy mushrooms pair beautifully with spinach and ricotta.
• Try a red-sauce base: For a more classic pizza flavor, spread a thin layer of sauce underneath the ricotta mixture. A homemade option like instantpot Italian marinara sauce recipe fits nicely here.
• Make it spicy: Add crushed red pepper flakes or sliced banana peppers.
• Add mozzarella: Sprinkle a little mozzarella on top for more golden, bubbly pizza appeal.
• Turn it into flatbreads: Use naan or smaller crusts for personal pizzas.
• Make it Mediterranean: Add artichokes, olives, and roasted red peppers.

Serving Suggestions for Family Pizza Night

This pizza makes a great main dish, but if you want to stretch the meal into a full pizza-night spread, pair it with a fresh salad, roasted vegetables, or a bowl of soup. It’s also wonderful cut into smaller squares and served as an appetizer.

For readers who like plenty of choices on the table, mention that pizza night can be built around one homemade crust and several topping ideas. That gives families the option to make this spinach ricotta version for the veggie lovers while still offering more traditional favorites.

Troubleshooting Ricotta and Spinach Pizza

Why is my pizza soggy?

The most common culprit is excess water in the spinach. Be sure to let the cooked spinach cool slightly, then squeeze or press out as much liquid as possible before mixing it with the ricotta.

Why is my crust not crispy?

Your oven may not have been fully preheated, or the crust may have been overloaded with toppings. Baking on a preheated pizza stone or metal pan can help, too.

Why is the ricotta mixture watery?

Some ricotta brands contain more moisture than others. If needed, let the ricotta sit in a fine-mesh strainer for a few minutes before mixing.

Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

Yes, but thaw it completely and squeeze it very dry first. Frozen spinach can hold a surprising amount of water.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ricotta and Spinach Pizza

Is ricotta good on pizza?

Yes. Ricotta adds a creamy, mild cheese flavor that works especially well with vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, and roasted peppers.

Do you cook spinach before putting it on pizza?

For this recipe, yes. Cooking the spinach first removes excess moisture and concentrates the flavor, which helps keep the crust from becoming soggy.

What cheese goes well with spinach pizza?

Ricotta is excellent, and it also pairs well with mozzarella, parmesan, feta, and provolone.

Can I make ricotta and spinach pizza ahead of time?

You can prepare the ricotta-spinach topping ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. Assemble and bake the pizza when you’re ready to serve.

Can I add other vegetables to this pizza?

Absolutely. Mushrooms, artichokes, olives, roasted red peppers, and onions all work well with the creamy ricotta base.

More Recipes You’ll Love

Final Thoughts

This ricotta and spinach pizza recipe is proof that pizza night can be both comforting and fresh. It’s simple enough for a busy evening, pretty enough to share on Pinterest, and flexible enough to keep readers engaged with plenty of natural next-click options.

If you’re looking for an easy vegetarian pizza recipe, a healthier homemade pizza, or a creamy spinach pizza that feels a little special without being fussy, this one delivers. Crisp crust, creamy ricotta, savory spinach, and a handful of strong internal links? That’s the kind of dinner content that works harder for your readers and your site.

Seasoning Note

To make a homemade version of Pritikin All-Purpose Seasoning, blend granulated onion, granulated garlic, salt-free lemon pepper, and paprika.

Continue to Content

Ricotta & Spinach Pizza Recipe

Yield: 6 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Total Time: 23 minutes

his ricotta and spinach pizza recipe combines creamy ricotta cheese, sautéed garlic, shallots, and fresh spinach on a crisp whole wheat crust for an easy homemade pizza that’s perfect for family pizza night. Serve it as a lighter vegetarian dinner, or pair it with favorites like Easy French Bread Pizza Recipe or easy pull apart pizza bread recipe for a full pizza-night spread.

Print

Ingredients

• ¼ cup chopped garlic
• ¼ cup finely chopped shallots
• 2 pounds fresh spinach
• ½ teaspoon Pritikin All-Purpose Seasoning
• 1 pound fat-free ricotta cheese
• 1 whole wheat pizza crust

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
   
2. In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the chopped garlic and shallots until softened and translucent.
   
3. Add the fresh spinach and cook, stirring frequently, until wilted and tender.
   
4. Remove the spinach mixture from the heat and let it cool slightly. Transfer it to a strainer and press out as much excess liquid as possible.
   
5. In a mixing bowl, combine the drained spinach mixture with the Pritikin All-Purpose Seasoning and ricotta cheese. Stir until well blended.
   
6. Spread the ricotta and spinach mixture evenly over the whole wheat pizza crust, leaving a small border around the edge.
   
7. Add any optional vegetables, if desired.
   
8. Bake for about 8 minutes, or until the crust is crisp and the topping is heated through.
   
9. Remove from the oven, slice, and serve immediately.

Notes

Notes

Drain the spinach very well before mixing it with the ricotta to keep the pizza from turning soggy. For a different crust option, try copycat pizza hut pizza dough, or keep pizza night easy with a premade pizza crust. If you want to add a sauce layer, a spoonful of copycat pizza hut pizza sauce or instantpot Italian marinara sauce recipe works beautifully under the ricotta mixture.

Additional Notes / Tips

To make a homemade version of Pritikin All-Purpose Seasoning, blend granulated onion, granulated garlic, salt-free lemon pepper, and paprika. This pizza is also easy to customize with mushrooms, olives, roasted red peppers, or a sprinkle of mozzarella. If you love trying new pizza styles, pair this recipe night with salami buffalo mozzarella pizza or take dinner outdoors with how to grill pizza.

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Mixing bowl
• Strainer
• Baking sheet or pizza pan
• Knife and cutting board

FAQ 1

Question: Is ricotta good on pizza?
Answer: Yes. Ricotta adds a creamy, mild cheese flavor that pairs especially well with spinach and other vegetables.

FAQ 2

Question: Do you cook spinach before putting it on pizza?
Answer: Yes. Cooking the spinach first helps remove excess moisture so the crust stays crisp.

FAQ 3

Question: Why is my spinach ricotta pizza soggy?
Answer: Excess moisture in the spinach or ricotta is usually the cause. Be sure to drain both well before assembling the pizza.

FAQ 4

Question: Can I make ricotta and spinach pizza ahead of time?
Answer: Yes. You can prepare the ricotta-spinach topping up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate it until ready to use.

FAQ 5

Question: What can I serve with ricotta and spinach pizza?
Answer: This pizza pairs well with salad, roasted vegetables, or other pizza-night favorites like Easy French Bread Pizza Recipe and easy pull apart pizza bread recipe.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this ricotta and spinach pizza hot from the oven with a simple salad or as part of a bigger pizza-night spread. For more homemade inspiration, add Easy French Bread Pizza Recipe, easy pull apart pizza bread recipe, or salami buffalo mozzarella pizza to the table.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 397Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 739mgCarbohydrates: 55gFiber: 6gSugar: 3gProtein: 20g

The Nutritional Information may not be accurate. This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

This recipe was originally published January 8, 2013, and updated April 23, 2026, with improved instructions, updates, and new photos.