Make this White Pizza with an easy pizza dough recipe and you’ll stop ordering takeout. Once you try this simple method, you can easily customize the toppings to suit your taste.
I wasn’t always a big pizza fan until I began making my own at home. After trying this white pizza with my favorite toppings and a reliable dough recipe, I became hooked.
My pizza dough recipe yields enough for two 12-inch pizzas. I made one white pizza the way I like it and another the way my husband prefers—he loves mushrooms and olives, which I skip. When you make this pizza, you can create different pies for different tastes or let the kids choose their own toppings for a family pizza night.
Ingredients
Below are the ingredients I used. Feel free to swap or omit items to match your preferences.
- 1/2 of easy pizza dough recipe (or 1 store-bought pizza dough)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil (garlic-infused olive oil works well)
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 (8-ounce) block Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 cups fresh spinach, stems removed and roughly chopped
- 1/3 cup diced green pepper
- 1/3 cup diced green onions (white and green parts, about two onions)
- 1 cup small grape tomatoes, halved (about 12–13)
- 1 (4-ounce) package slow-roasted diced pancetta (or another cooked meat)
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, optional (taste before adding; pancetta can be salty)
- Cornmeal, optional (use if baking on a pizza stone)
Pizza Dough
If you make the easy pizza dough recipe, you can prepare it the day before or freeze it for later. This dough yields two thin-crust pizzas that bake up crisp and golden.
Instructions
- Prepare the pizza dough following the dough recipe through step 9.
- Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C).
- Shape the dough into a 12-inch circle and transfer it to a pizza pan. If using a pizza stone, lightly dust it with cornmeal to prevent sticking.
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil and minced garlic, then brush the mixture evenly over the crust.
- Add the toppings: start with the shredded Mozzarella, then scatter the spinach, green pepper, green onions, grape tomatoes, and pancetta. Finish with the grated Parmesan and a pinch of crushed red pepper. Add salt and pepper only if needed.
- Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheeses are melted and bubbling.
- Let the pizza rest for 7–8 minutes so the cheese sets slightly, then slice and serve. Store leftovers wrapped in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Pro tips for this recipe
- Mozzarella: Avoid pre-shredded cheese, which often contains anti-caking agents that give a waxy texture. Buy a block and shred it yourself for best melting.
- Parmesan: Use freshly grated Parmesan rather than the powdered canned variety for a brighter, nuttier flavor.
- If using a pizza stone, preheat it in the oven and sprinkle with cornmeal to keep the crust from sticking.
- For an easy, reliable method: place the pizza on a pizza pan, then set that pan directly on a preheated pizza stone. This helps the crust crisp without sticking and removes the need for extra cornmeal.
- This dough makes a thin, slightly crispy crust. If you prefer a chewier crust, use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour.
- Stretching the dough: If you don’t toss dough in the air, stretch it by working the edges with your fingers into a small circle, then drape the dough over two knuckles and rotate slowly, letting gravity stretch it. If it springs back, let it rest for 10 minutes and try again, or use a rolling pin to help.
- Ensure your oven (and pizza stone, if used) is fully preheated for a crispier crust.
- Let the pizza cool 7–8 minutes before slicing so the cheese firms up and slices cleanly.
- Don’t overload the pizza with toppings. Too many toppings increase baking time and can cause the crust to become soggy or overbaked while the toppings finish cooking.
Can I freeze this pizza?
Yes. Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and place several wrapped slices in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
If you enjoyed this, try the Red Sauce Pizza recipe for a different flavor profile.
If you make this recipe, please rate it and leave a comment to share how you liked it—I love hearing from readers!
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