Delicious 3-Cheese Lemon Basil Pizza Recipe for Pizza Night

The aroma of a tantalizing 3-cheese lemon basil pizza wafts through the kitchen, promising a delightful culinary adventure.

This unconventional blend of zesty flavors merges perfectly on a crisp, golden crust.

Tangy lemon zest dances with fragrant basil, creating a symphony of taste that surprises and delights.

Melted cheese layers bring richness and depth to every single bite.

The combination of sharp parmesan, creamy mozzarella, and smooth ricotta elevates this pizza beyond ordinary expectations.

Each slice offers a fresh and vibrant experience that breaks traditional pizza boundaries.

Let’s embark on a mouthwatering journey that will transform your next pizza night into an unforgettable feast.

How to Assemble and Bake a Zesty, Cheesy Pizza

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a sizzling 475F and slide in a pizza stone or baking sheet to get super hot.

• Roll Out the Dough

Dust your workspace with flour and stretch that pizza dough into a beautiful 12-inch circle.

• Create the Creamy Base

Mix ricotta with zesty garlic, a pinch of salt, pepper, and bright lemon zest in a small bowl.

• Build Your Pizza

Slide the dough onto parchment paper and brush with olive oil. Spread the ricotta mix across the surface.

• Add Cheese Layer

Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan generously over the ricotta, covering every inch.

• Bake to Perfection

Pop the pizza into the hot oven for 10-12 minutes until the crust turns golden and cheese bubbles with excitement.

• Final Fresh Touches

Pull the pizza out and crown it with fresh basil leaves, a splash of lemon juice, and optional red pepper flakes or arugula.

• Slice and Enjoy

Cut into wedges and serve piping hot for maximum deliciousness!

Variations That Add Heat or Greens to Your Pizza

• Crispy Crust and Flavor Boosters
• Roll out the dough on parchment paper for easier transfer and more even thickness without sticking.
• Let cheese come to room temperature before sprinkling to ensure smooth, even melting and prevent clumping.
• Chop basil just before adding to preserve maximum flavor and bright green color.
• Swap traditional pizza dough with cauliflower crust or gluten-free pre-made pizza base for dietary alternatives.
• Replace dairy cheeses with plant-based mozzarella and ricotta alternatives, maintaining the creamy texture and tangy lemon-basil profile.

Serve 3-Cheese Lemon Basil Pizza Sliced or Whole

• Fresh Herb Garden Party: Invite friends over and create a pizza-making station with various fresh herbs like basil, thyme, and oregano. Let everyone customize their slice with extra toppings and garnishes.
• Summer Lunch Delight: Pair this light, zesty pizza with a crisp white wine or sparkling water with lemon. Serve alongside a simple mixed green salad for a refreshing meal that's perfect for warm afternoons.
• Picnic Perfect Slice: Cut the pizza into smaller squares or triangles for easy outdoor eating. Pack in a portable container with a light cloth napkin for a sophisticated picnic treat that travels well and looks impressive.
• Brunch Sensation: Transform this pizza into a morning meal by adding a soft-poached egg on top or serving with a side of prosciutto. The lemon and basil flavors make it an elegant weekend brunch option that feels gourmet yet simple.

Keep Pizza Fresh and Flavorful After Baking

• Cut pizza into triangular or square slices just before serving to maintain crispy crust integrity.
• Allow pizza to rest on a wire rack for 2-3 minutes after baking to prevent soggy bottom and help cheese set properly.
• Store leftover slices in an airtight container for up to 3 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Revive cold pizza by using a skillet with a lid on medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes, which restores crispy crust and melts cheese evenly.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 5

3-Cheese Lemon Basil Pizza Recipe: Ingredients That Matter

• Pizza Dough: Soft, stretchy foundation that creates the perfect crispy canvas for toppings.
• Flour: Essential for preventing dough from sticking during rolling and adding light texture.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy base that provides a smooth, tangy foundation with subtle richness.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully, creating irresistible stretchy texture and classic pizza flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, nutty depth and delightful salty finish to the pizza.

• Garlic: Adds bold, aromatic punch that elevates the entire pizza's taste profile.
• Salt: Enhances and balances all other flavors in the recipe.
• Black Pepper: Introduces warm, subtle heat and complexity to the cheese mixture.
• Lemon Zest: Brings bright, citrusy freshness that cuts through the richness of cheese.
• Olive Oil: Creates golden, crispy crust and adds luxurious Mediterranean touch.
• Fresh Basil: Provides vibrant, herbaceous notes that complement the cheese beautifully.
• Lemon Juice: Adds final zingy brightness to lift the entire dish.

• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces spicy kick for those who enjoy heat.
• Arugula: Offers peppery, fresh contrast to the rich cheeses.

Tools That Help You Bake a Lemon Basil Pizza Just Right

• Pizza stone or baking sheet: Essential for creating a crispy, golden crust.
• Pizza peel or baking sheet: Helps transfer the pizza smoothly into the oven.
• Rolling pin: Perfect for rolling out the pizza dough evenly.
• Small bowl: Ideal for mixing ricotta with seasonings.
• Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and makes transfer easier.
• Olive oil brush: Helps spread a light, even layer of oil on the dough.
• Grater: Useful for zesting lemon and optional Parmesan topping.
• Sharp knife: Needed for slicing the finished pizza.

Crispy 3-Cheese Lemon Basil Pizza Recipe

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4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy 3-cheese lemon basil pizza blends Mediterranean flavors into a delightful culinary experience. Fresh herbs and zesty citrus dance across melted cheese, inviting you to savor each perfectly balanced slice.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ball pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• ½ cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ tsp salt
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1–2 tbsps fresh lemon juice (optional, for finishing)
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
• Optional: crushed red pepper flakes or arugula for garnish

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Elevate the oven temperature to 475F (245C), positioning a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to generate intense heat.
2. Dough Transformation: Gently stretch and roll the dough on a flour-dusted surface, aiming for a circular shape approximately 12 inches in diameter.
3. Flavor Foundation: Blend ricotta with minced garlic, seasoned with salt, pepper, and vibrant lemon zest to create a creamy base layer.
4. Pizza Assembly: Carefully transfer the stretched dough onto a parchment-lined surface, delicately brushing with olive oil to enhance golden crispiness.
5. Layering Technique: Spread the ricotta mixture evenly across the dough, creating a smooth canvas, then generously scatter mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses to ensure comprehensive coverage.
6. Baking Brilliance: Slide the pizza into the preheated oven, allowing 10-12 minutes of intense heat to transform the crust to a golden hue and melt the cheeses into a bubbling masterpiece.
7. Finishing Flourish: Extract the pizza from the oven, crowning it with fresh basil leaves, a subtle drizzle of lemon juice, and optional red pepper flakes or peppery arugula for a vibrant finale.
8. Serving Suggestion: Slice the pizza while warm and savor the harmonious blend of Mediterranean-inspired flavors.

Notes

• Roll pizza dough evenly to ensure consistent cooking and crispy texture without soggy center.
• Sprinkle cheeses in layers and distribute evenly to prevent clumping and ensure smooth, melted coverage across the pizza.
• Preheat pizza stone or baking sheet to create crisp bottom and professional-style crust that holds toppings perfectly.
• Add fresh basil and lemon juice after baking to preserve bright, aromatic herbs and maintain zesty citrus notes without wilting.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg