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Lemon Pizza First Image

Lemon Ricotta Pizza


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  • Author: Chef John
  • Total Time: 33 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A delicious homemade pizza with ricotta, mozzarella, and fresh lemon for a tangy twist.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ball pizza dough, homemade or store-bought
  • 1 large lemon (unwaxed, preferably; Meyer or regular)
  • 3/4 cup ricotta cheese
  • 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
  • 12 tablespoons olive oil
  • 12 garlic cloves, finely sliced
  • Pinch of flaky sea salt
  • Handful of fresh basil leaves
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to the hottest setting, ideally 475°F (245°C) or hotter if your oven’s got that kind of ambition. Get a baking stone or metal tray in there to heat up too.
  2. Zest the lemon. You want all those fragrant oils. Then, thinly slice half of it into paper-thin rounds.
  3. Roll or stretch your dough out on a little flour. If you get a weird shape, just call it “rustic” — it’s a good word for imperfect pizza.
  4. Brush the dough with olive oil. Scatter or spread the ricotta over the base — sometimes I dollop, sometimes I smear, depends on my mood.
  5. Layer on mozzarella, then sprinkle the Parmesan over that.
  6. Add your garlic slices all over, then decorate with the lemon slices. Sprinkle zest and a little flaky sea salt over the top. If you want, drizzle with a bit more oil here.
  7. Slide onto the hot tray or stone. Bake 11-13 minutes, or until the edges go golden and the cheese bubbles.
  8. Out of the oven, top with torn basil leaves, some grinds of black pepper, and (if you like) an extra sprinkle of lemon zest for zing. Let cool a minute so you don’t scorch your mouth.
  9. Slice, serve, and expect at least one skeptical “what IS this?” — which is always a good sign.

Notes

  • Don’t worry if the lemon slices are uneven — mine rarely come out even, and no one notices!
  • This pizza can be customized with other toppings based on your preference.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 13 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 400mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 14g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg