Description
This flavorful white pizza features a homemade garlic bread crust topped with a blend of melted provolone, fresh mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan cheeses, accented with bright lemon zest and a hint of crushed red pepper flakes. The dough is enriched with garlic powder and basil, baked to golden perfection, and optionally finished with fresh arugula tossed in lemon juice for a peppery, citrusy bite. Perfect for a delightful and hearty meal that feeds 3 to 4 people.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough:
- 1 1/8 cups warm water
- 3 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
Pizza Toppings:
- 2 garlic cloves, pressed or very finely minced
- 2 cups freshly grated provolone cheese
- 1 (8 ounce) ball fresh mozzarella, sliced or torn into pieces
- ¾ cup ricotta cheese
- 1/3 cup freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
- 1 lemon, zest freshly grated or sliced into thin ribbons
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, plus more for sprinkling
Optional Toppings:
- 2 cups baby arugula greens
- Lemon juice from the lemon above
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions
- Activate Yeast and Mix Dough: In a large bowl, combine warm water, active dry yeast, honey, and olive oil. Stir with a spoon and let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes until foamy, indicating that the yeast is active. Add 2 1/2 cups of the flour, garlic powder, dried basil, and salt. Stir until the dough forms but remains sticky.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the sticky dough onto a floured surface and add the remaining 1/2 cup flour gradually while kneading by hand for a few minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Oil the original bowl with olive oil, place the dough inside, turning it to coat with oil. Cover with a towel and set in a warm place to rise for approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until doubled in size.
- Shape and Rest the Dough: After the dough has risen, punch it down to release air, then return it to a floured surface. Roll or stretch it into your desired shape—round, rectangle, or even a heart—and transfer it to a baking sheet or pizza pan. Cover again with a towel and let rest in a warm place for 10 minutes to relax the dough for baking.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F if using a baking sheet. If using a pizza stone, heat the oven to 475°F and preheat the stone as well.
- Prepare the Pizza Base: Brush the entire surface of the shaped dough with olive oil, ensuring even coverage along the edges. Distribute the minced garlic evenly over the surface by brushing or sprinkling gently. Sprinkle the grated provolone evenly, follow by layering sliced or torn mozzarella. Add dollops of ricotta cheese across the pizza, then sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese. Finish with lemon zest and crushed red pepper flakes for a touch of brightness and heat.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the pizza in the preheated oven. Bake on a baking sheet for 20 to 25 minutes, or on the pizza stone for about 15 to 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly.
- Add Finishing Touches: Remove the pizza from the oven and sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese and additional crushed red pepper flakes if desired. If using, toss baby arugula with fresh lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and pepper, then spread the greens atop the warm pizza for a fresh, peppery contrast.
- Serve: Slice the pizza and serve immediately while the cheese is warm and melty. Enjoy your garlic bread crust white pizza!
Notes
- For an extra crispy crust, use a preheated pizza stone and bake at 475°F for a shorter time (15-20 minutes).
- The dough recipe yields one pizza large enough to feed about 3-4 people.
- Fresh arugula and lemon juice are optional but provide a refreshing balance to the richness of the cheeses.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to your spice preference.
- You can shape the dough into any form – rectangles, circles, or creative shapes like a heart.
- Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free space for best results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/4 of pizza)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
