Slice, slice, baby—this creamy ricotta pizza with spinach, garlic, and shallots turns an ordinary pizza night into something seriously delicious.
If you love creamy white pizza, this ricotta spinach pizza recipe is an easy way to make it at home. A crisp whole-wheat crust is topped with creamy ricotta cheese, tender spinach, savory garlic, and shallots for a simple vegetarian pizza that tastes far more indulgent than the ingredient list suggests.
This ricotta pizza skips traditional red sauce and uses the spinach-ricotta mixture as the topping instead. The secret is cooking and draining the spinach thoroughly before mixing it with the cheese. That keeps the topping creamy without making the crust soggy.
Why You’ll Love This Ricotta Spinach Pizza
Ricotta cheese makes an excellent pizza topping because it is creamy, mild, and rich without overpowering the other ingredients. Pair it with spinach and garlic and you have a satisfying white pizza that works beautifully for weeknight dinner, family pizza night, or a meatless meal.
- Creamy without traditional pizza sauce. Ricotta becomes the creamy base for the pizza.
- Loaded with spinach. Two pounds of fresh spinach cook down into the cheesy topping.
- Vegetarian-friendly. It is hearty and satisfying without meat.
- Quick to bake. Once assembled, the pizza needs only about 8 minutes in a hot oven.
- Easy to customize. Add mushrooms, artichokes, roasted peppers, mozzarella, parmesan, or crushed red pepper.
Ingredients for Ricotta Spinach Pizza
You only need six basic ingredients for the original recipe:
- 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 toppings: mushrooms, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, black olives, mozzarella, parmesan, crushed red pepper flakes, or a light drizzle of olive oil.
How to Make Ricotta Pizza with Spinach
The most important part of this recipe happens before the pizza ever goes into the oven: remove as much moisture as possible from the cooked spinach. Wet spinach can turn a creamy ricotta topping into a watery one.
- Preheat the oven. Heat your oven to 450°F. A hot oven helps the crust become crisp before the ricotta topping has time to release excess moisture.
- Cook the garlic and shallots. Add the garlic and finely chopped shallots to a large cast iron skillet or other large skillet over medium heat. Cook until softened and fragrant, stirring frequently so the garlic does not burn.
- Add the spinach. Add the fresh spinach gradually and cook until wilted and tender, stirring it into the garlic and shallots as it cooks down.
- Drain the spinach thoroughly. Remove the spinach mixture from the heat and allow it to cool slightly. Transfer it to a fine-mesh strainer and press out as much liquid as possible.
- Make the ricotta topping. Combine the drained spinach mixture, Pritikin All-Purpose Seasoning, and ricotta cheese in a mixing bowl. Stir until evenly combined.
- Assemble the pizza. Spread the ricotta-spinach mixture evenly over the whole-wheat crust, leaving a small border around the edge.
- Bake. Bake at 450°F for about 8 minutes, or until the topping is hot and the crust is crisp.
- Rest and slice. Let the pizza rest for a minute or two before cutting it with a pizza cutter and serving warm.
Watch How to Make Ricotta Spinach Pizza
See how easy it is to make this creamy ricotta spinach pizza from start to finish. The video walks you through sautéing the garlic and shallots, wilting and draining the spinach, mixing the creamy ricotta topping, assembling the pizza, and baking it until the crust is crisp and golden.
How to Get a Crisp Ricotta Pizza Crust
Ricotta and spinach both contain moisture, so getting a crisp crust is mostly about controlling that moisture and baking the pizza hot and fast.
- Drain the spinach very well. This is the single most important step.
- Drain loose ricotta. If your ricotta looks watery, let it sit briefly in a fine-mesh strainer before mixing it with the spinach.
- Do not overload the crust. An overly thick layer of ricotta mixture can keep the center from crisping.
- Use a hot oven. Make sure the oven has fully reached 450°F before baking.
- Give the pizza a hot baking surface. For an especially crisp bottom crust, preheat a pizza stone or pizza steel while the oven heats.
- Rest briefly before slicing. A minute or two helps the hot topping settle and makes cleaner slices.
Ricotta Pizza Variations
Once you have the basic spinach and ricotta topping, this recipe is easy to customize.
Mushroom Ricotta Pizza
Add sautéed mushrooms to the spinach mixture for extra savory flavor.
Extra-Cheesy Spinach Ricotta Pizza
Sprinkle mozzarella or parmesan over the ricotta before baking for more melted-cheese flavor.
Mediterranean Ricotta Pizza
Add artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, olives, and a little feta.
Spicy Ricotta Pizza
Add crushed red pepper flakes, banana peppers, or chili oil.
Ricotta Pizza with Red Sauce
Spread a thin layer of homemade marinara sauce beneath the ricotta mixture for a creamy tomato version.
Personal Ricotta Pizzas
Use individual pizza crusts, naan, or flatbread and let everyone choose their own toppings.
What Goes Well with Ricotta on Pizza?
Ricotta has a mild, creamy flavor that pairs especially well with savory vegetables, herbs, and stronger cheeses.
- Spinach
- Garlic
- Shallots or onions
- Mushrooms
- Artichokes
- Roasted red peppers
- Fresh basil
- Mozzarella
- Parmesan
- Feta
- Crushed red pepper
What to Serve with Ricotta Spinach Pizza
This pizza can easily stand alone as dinner, but a few simple sides turn it into a complete pizza-night spread.
- A crisp green salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Garlic bread or breadsticks
- Marinara or pizza sauce for dipping
- A second pizza with different toppings for a family pizza night
Make Ahead
The spinach-ricotta topping can be prepared up to 2 days ahead. Store it covered in the refrigerator and assemble the pizza just before baking.
For the best crust texture, avoid assembling the complete pizza far in advance because moisture from the ricotta mixture can begin soaking into the crust.
How to Store Leftover Ricotta Pizza
Allow leftover pizza to cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
How to Reheat Ricotta Pizza
For the crispiest leftovers, reheat slices in a skillet, toaster oven, or conventional oven rather than the microwave. The microwave works when you’re in a hurry, but the crust will be softer.
Can You Freeze Spinach Ricotta Pizza?
You can freeze baked slices, although ricotta may have a slightly different texture after thawing. Wrap individual cooled slices well and place them in a freezer-safe container.
For best results, reheat frozen or thawed slices in the oven until hot throughout.
Troubleshooting Ricotta Spinach Pizza
Why is my ricotta pizza watery?
Extra moisture is usually coming from the spinach or ricotta. Drain the cooked spinach thoroughly and, if your ricotta is especially wet, drain it before making the topping.
How do you keep spinach ricotta pizza from getting soggy?
Press as much liquid as possible from the cooked spinach, avoid using too much topping, and bake the pizza in a fully preheated 450°F oven.
Why isn’t my pizza crust crispy?
The oven may not have been completely preheated, the topping may have contained too much moisture, or too much topping may have been added. A preheated pizza stone or steel can also help produce a crisper bottom crust.
Can I use frozen spinach?
Yes. Thaw it completely first, then squeeze it extremely well to remove excess moisture before combining it with the ricotta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ricotta cheese good on pizza?
Yes. Ricotta is creamy, mild, and slightly sweet, making it especially good with garlic, spinach, mushrooms, herbs, mozzarella, parmesan, and other savory pizza toppings.
Do you put ricotta on pizza before or after baking?
For this recipe, the ricotta is mixed with the cooked spinach and spread over the crust before baking. The pizza then bakes until the topping is hot and the crust is crisp.
Do you need to cook spinach before putting it on pizza?
For this recipe, yes. Cooking the spinach first allows you to remove much of its water before it reaches the pizza crust.
Is spinach ricotta pizza a white pizza?
Yes. This pizza has the creamy character of a white pizza because ricotta replaces the traditional tomato-sauce layer.
Can I add mozzarella to ricotta pizza?
Absolutely. Sprinkle a modest amount of mozzarella over the ricotta mixture before baking if you want more stretch and browned melted cheese.
What sauce goes with ricotta pizza?
Ricotta can serve as the creamy pizza base itself, as it does here. Marinara, traditional pizza sauce, pesto, or garlic and olive oil also pair well with ricotta.
Readers Also Make
- Easy French Bread Pizza for an easy weeknight pizza shortcut.
- Salami and Buffalo Mozzarella Pizza when you want something a little bolder.
Perfect With
- Easy Pull-Apart Pizza Bread for a shareable pizza-night side.
- Copycat Pizza Hut Pizza Sauce for dipping those creamy ricotta slices.
Related Posts
Next Recipe to Try
If you’re keeping pizza night rolling, try this Easy French Bread Pizza Recipe next. It’s fast, family-friendly, and perfect for nights when homemade pizza dough isn’t happening.
Final Thoughts
This ricotta spinach pizza proves homemade pizza doesn’t need a complicated sauce or a long ingredient list to be satisfying. Creamy ricotta, garlicky spinach, shallots, and a crisp crust create a simple white pizza that feels special enough for the weekend but easy enough for a weeknight.
Drain the spinach well, keep the topping balanced, and bake it hot. That’s the formula for creamy ricotta on top and a crisp pizza crust underneath.
Seasoning Note
To make a homemade version of Pritikin All-Purpose Seasoning, blend granulated onion, granulated garlic, salt-free lemon pepper, and paprika.
Ricotta & Spinach Pizza Recipe
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.
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
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the chopped garlic and shallots until softened and translucent.
- Add the fresh spinach and cook, stirring frequently, until wilted and tender.
- 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.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the drained spinach mixture with the Pritikin All-Purpose Seasoning and ricotta cheese. Stir until well blended.
- Spread the ricotta and spinach mixture evenly over the whole wheat pizza crust, leaving a small border around the edge.
- Add any optional vegetables, if desired.
- Bake for about 8 minutes, or until the crust is crisp and the topping is heated through.
- Remove from the oven, slice, and serve immediately.
Notes
Expert Tips
- Drain the cooked spinach extremely well to prevent a soggy pizza.
- If the ricotta looks watery, drain it briefly in a fine-mesh strainer before mixing.
- Make sure the oven is fully preheated to 450°F before baking.
- A preheated pizza stone or steel can help create an especially crisp bottom crust.
Variations
Add mushrooms, roasted red peppers, artichokes, mozzarella, parmesan, feta, olives, or crushed red pepper.
Make Ahead
Prepare the spinach-ricotta mixture up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate. Assemble just before baking.
Storage
Store cooled leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Reheating
Reheat in a skillet, toaster oven, or conventional oven for the crispiest crust.
Freezing
Baked slices may be frozen well wrapped in a freezer-safe container. Ricotta may have a slightly different texture after thawing.
Troubleshooting
If the pizza is watery or soggy, the spinach or ricotta likely contained too much moisture. Drain both thoroughly and avoid overloading the crust.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount 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.