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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Elevate the oven temperature to 475F (245C), positioning a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to generate intense heat.
- Dough Transformation: Gently stretch and roll the dough on a flour-dusted surface, aiming for a circular shape approximately 12 inches in diameter.
- Flavor Foundation: Blend ricotta with minced garlic, seasoned with salt, pepper, and vibrant lemon zest to create a creamy base layer.
- Pizza Assembly: Carefully transfer the stretched dough onto a parchment-lined surface, delicately brushing with olive oil to enhance golden crispiness.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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