I love tomato sauce, I really do, but sometimes you just need a break from red! If you’re nodding along because you’re craving true Italian comfort food but want zero tomato acidity, then I have the absolute secret weapon for you. Forget the boring versions you’ve had out; this is my Ultimate Creamy Garlic & Ricotta White Pizza, or as the Italians might call it, the perfect Pizza Bianca.
I remember the first time I realized how amazing a truly rich, cheesy, no-tomato pizza could be. It was after a trip to New York, and I tried to recreate that wonderfully savory pizza feeling at home. My goal was simple: maximum creaminess with just the right amount of sharp garlic flavor. Trust me, once you try this homemade white pizza, you won’t look back. It’s fast, deeply satisfying, and honestly, it tastes like you ordered it from a fancy pizzeria!
Why This Creamy Garlic White Pizza is Your New Favorite
Look, I get it—weeknights are crazy, and sometimes you need dinner on the table faster than anything else. That’s why this recipe totally rocks! It’s the ultimate solution when you’re craving something super flavorful but don’t want to spend an hour simmering sauce.
Here’s the quick rundown on why this cheesy pizza without tomato will become your go-to:
- It’s Ready Fast: Seriously, if you have dough ready to go, this is a fantastic Weeknight Pizza Dinner.
- Amazing Texture: That ricotta base creates the most incredible Creamy Pizza Base you’ve ever spread on dough!
- Flavor Bomb: The sharp, roasted hit of the Garlic White Pizza is just irresistible, cutting perfectly through all that rich cheese.
- Seriously Satisfying: It hits all those savory notes you want from real Italian comfort food, no sauce required!
Essential Ingredients for the Best White Pizza Recipe
Okay, when we talk about the Best White Pizza Recipe, we need to get serious about what’s going into that base. You can’t fake flavor here, especially since we’ve ditched the tomato for the star players: cheese and garlic! Getting the right texture and taste means measuring correctly. Don’t skimp on the quality of your cheese; it really does make all the difference in this Ricotta Cheese Pizza.
I’ve laid out everything you need below. Remember that for the best results, you need to have your ingredients ready to go—this is a quick assembly job, so mise en place is your best friend here!
For the Ricotta White Pizza Sauce Base
This is where all the magic happens to create that incredible, savory cheese pizza without tomato sauce. A little tip from my kitchen: always use fresh, raw garlic here; dried or jarred just doesn’t pack the same punch! If you ever need more garlic goodness later, check out my recipe for easy homemade garlic butter!
- 1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese (don’t use the skim kind, trust me on this!)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (make sure it’s minced small!)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup water (this helps thin it out just enough)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of salt
For Assembly and Toppings on Your White Pizza
For this layer, buy low-moisture mozzarella. If you use the fresh stuff packed in water, your pizza will end up soggy, and we want crisp edges!
- 1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade is fine!)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing the crust)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Homemade White Pizza
This is where the magic happens, and honestly, it moves fast! Since we’re going for that perfect crust, the first thing you need to worry about is getting your oven screaming hot. Don’t rush the heat; it pays off big time when that dough hits the deck! We’re making a quick creamy delight here, so pay attention to the little details!
Preparing the Oven and Dough for the White Pizza
First things first: crank that oven up to 475 degrees Fahrenheit! If you’re using a pizza stone—and oh my goodness, you should be for the Best White Pizza Recipe—get it in there while it preheats. Seriously, let that stone heat up for a good 30 minutes; it makes the crust crackle perfectly, unlike just using a cold baking sheet. While it’s heating, stretch out your dough to whatever size you like. Just get it onto your floured peel or some parchment paper so it’s ready to slide.
Creating the Creamy Pizza Base (Pizza Bianca Recipe)
Now we make what makes this the best white pizza! Grab a little bowl and just mix everything together: that creamy ricotta, the minced garlic, the Parmesan, a splash of water, pepper, and oregano. Mix it until it’s just combined—don’t overbeat it! You want it slightly textured. Spread this beautiful mixture right over your dough, leaving about an inch bare around the edge for the crust. Now, go ahead and sprinkle that mozzarella all over the top evenly. It’s satisfyingly smooth, just like a good cheesy dip!

Baking and Finishing Your Garlic White Pizza
Before it goes in, give that exposed crust a quick brush with olive oil. That helps it brown up nicely! Slide your pizza onto the preheated stone or sheet. It needs about 10 to 14 minutes to bake. You’re looking for the cheese to be totally melted and bubbly, and the crust should look deep golden brown. If you feel like jazzing it up, now is the time to sprinkle on some raw spinach or sautéed mushrooms right before it goes in! Once it comes out, let it rest on a cutting board for maybe five minutes before slicing. Slicing too soon means all those glorious, melty ingredients slide right off!

Tips for Achieving New York Style White Pizza Perfection
If you’re aiming for that classic, slightly chewy, sturdy crust that New York Style White Pizza is famous for, you have to be a little fussy about three things: the dough, the heat, and the cheese quality. I’ve learned the hard way that cutting corners here results in a floppy, disappointing slice.
First, the dough: If you’re making your dough from scratch, aim for a higher hydration level if you can manage it, but if you’re using store-bought, make absolutely sure you let it sit on the counter for at least an hour before you try to stretch it. Cold dough fights back, and you’ll end up with thick, uneven spots!
Second, heat control is key. I mentioned preheating the stone, but that’s non-negotiable for that signature slight char underneath. For the cheese, stick to low-moisture mozzarella. Anything else will release too much water during that quick, hot bake. If you want to get really authentic, try mixing in just a touch of provolone with your mozzarella for a subtle, nutty sharpness. For more on handling good dough, check out my guide to the easiest homemade pizza recipe dough!
Variations on the Classic White Pizza Sauce Recipe
While my creamy garlic ricotta base is truly my go-to, one of the best things about making pizza at home is that you can customize it endlessly! That ricotta mixture is such a fantastic canvas because it’s so rich, it holds up to just about anything you throw at it. Don’t be afraid to treat it like a blank slate for whatever flavors you’re craving that night.
If you’re looking for something deeply savory, you absolutely must try caramelizing some onions first. The sweet, jammy onions mixed with that herby, garlicky cheese layer? Wow. It turns a simple dinner into something gourmet, and honestly, making caramelized onions is easier than you think—it just takes patience!

For cheese swaps, I usually suggest adding a small amount of Provolone into your mozzarella mix. It melts beautifully and gives the whole pie a bit of that classic Italian deli sharpness. Or, if you happen to have some smoked Gouda leftover, adding just a half-cup really changes the profile completely. It adds a smokiness that plays so well against the slight tang of the ricotta.
Another fun variation, especially if you’re feeling adventurous, is swapping out the plain water for a splash of white wine, or even a tiny bit of chicken broth into the ricotta base. It just deepens that savory quality without making it taste like wine, allowing the cheese to shine even more!
Storing and Reheating Your Leftover White Pizza
Even the best pizza leftovers deserve respect! If you manage to have any of this incredible white pizza left, wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap or pop them into an airtight container. They should hang out in the fridge for up to three days—no longer, because that crust starts getting sad quickly.
Now, for reheating this dreamy creation: You absolutely cannot just throw it in the microwave unless you enjoy eating pizza-flavored rubber. For the best results and to bring back some of that crust crispness, reheat slices directly on a baking sheet in a toaster oven or a regular oven set to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8 to 10 minutes. It gets bubbly again without turning chewy!

Frequently Asked Questions About Making White Pizza
I always get tons of questions when people see pictures of this—which is totally fair because it looks so decadent! People want to know if they can simplify things for a quick meal or if they need fancy ingredients. Let’s clear up the most common ones so you can whip up the best white pizza!
What distinguishes a Pizza Bianca from a standard white pizza?
That’s a great question because the terms get used interchangeably! Technically, a true Italian Pizza Bianca often means just dough, olive oil, salt, and maybe some rosemary—very simple, almost like a focaccia. Our recipe here leans more towards the American concept of a white pizza, where we use that glorious creamy ricotta cheese base. So while similar, ours is definitely richer and uses that wonderful Ricotta Cheese Pizza foundation!
Can I make this a weeknight pizza dinner by using store-bought dough?
Yes, please do! Convenience is essential for a true Weeknight Pizza Dinner, and store-bought dough is perfect for this. Just make sure you pull it out of the fridge for at least 45 minutes before you plan to stretch it. Cold dough springs back on you, and you’ll end up with a thick lump in the middle instead of those nice thin spots we love on an Easy White Pizza.
If you ever want another super easy dough-based treat, you should check out my recipe for easy pizza pinwheels!
Estimated Nutritional Data for this White Pizza
You know I always have to give you the scoop, but keep this in mind: these numbers are just my best guess based on the recipe ingredients I listed, okay? If you use gourmet Parmesan or super-fatty ricotta, things might change a little. This data should give you a solid idea of what you’re working with for one serving slice.
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 17g (with 9g Saturated Fat)
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Protein: 17g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
I try to keep things balanced, but hey, this is truly incredible pizza, so we’re counting the joy, not just the macros!
Share Your Creamy Garlic White Pizza Experience
Okay, now it’s your turn! I’ve told you all my secrets for getting this Creamy Garlic Ricotta White Pizza absolutely perfect. Seriously, I cannot wait to see what you come up with. When you make it—and I promise, you *will* be making it again—please come back here and let me know how it went!
Did you stick to the classic? Did you try adding mushrooms or maybe some spicy sausage? Drop a comment in the section below and give the recipe a rating out of five stars. Even if you had a tiny kitchen mishap, tell me about it; we learn so much from each other’s cooking adventures!
And if you snap a gorgeous picture of your bubbly, golden-crusted creation—which I know you will, because this pizza is stunning—tag me on social media! I love seeing my recipes come to life in your kitchens. You can find me over on my main blog feed sharing what’s new. Happy baking, my friends!
PrintCreamy Garlic Ricotta White Pizza
A simple recipe for classic Pizza Bianca using a creamy garlic and ricotta base instead of tomato sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 14 min
- Total Time: 29 min
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven and pizza stone or baking sheet to 475 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Stretch or roll your pizza dough to your desired thickness and place it on a lightly floured pizza peel or parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, water, oregano, pepper, and salt until combined. This is your white sauce.
- Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over the pizza dough, leaving a one-inch border for the crust.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the ricotta base.
- Brush the exposed crust lightly with olive oil.
- Carefully transfer the pizza to the preheated stone or baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, place your pizza stone in the oven while it preheats for at least 30 minutes.
- You can add sautéed mushrooms or spinach on top of the cheese layer before baking for extra flavor.
- Use fresh garlic for the best taste in the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 17
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 17
- Cholesterol: 45























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