Summer Pizza With Ricotta, Garden Veggies, Prosciutto & Basil Balsamic Dressing
When I am writing this, Summer is around the corner, so I thought I would come up with a simple yet flavourful pizza recipe that we could all try during the warmer months. It’s like having a salad on your pizza, but don’t worry there are no leafy vegetables in this one, other than the basil in the dressing.
Is ricotta good on pizza?
Absolutely! Ricotta adds a creamy and slightly sweet note to pizza. Its soft texture complements the crispness of the pizza crust while its subtle flavor provides a great counterpoint to stronger or saltier toppings like prosciutto or olives.
Should I put ricotta on pizza before or after baking?
It depends on how you want the ricotta to perform in your pizza. If you want it to melt more and blend with other flavors, you should add it before baking. If you prefer to maintain its creamy texture and subtle tang, it’s better to dollop it on top after the pizza has baked.
What do Italians put on top of pizza?
Italian pizzas often showcase a variety of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Classic toppings include mozzarella, tomato sauce, basil, and olive oil. However, there’s a range of regional variations featuring ingredients like prosciutto, arugula, olives, anchovies, or even eggs. The key is simplicity and quality over quantity.
And if you are asking that question referring to what condiment do Italians use, remember for us simplicity is key. So we usually use just a high quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil like Belmorso, no side sauces and no cheese in our crust.
Do Italians put balsamic vinegar on pizza?
While not a traditional topping, it’s not unheard of. A drizzle of balsamic vinegar on a freshly baked pizza, especially one that’s topped with fresh veggies or arugula, can add a delightful tangy-sweet element.
What vegetables are good on pizza?
Almost any vegetable can be delicious on pizza when used appropriately. Popular choices include bell peppers, red onions, mushrooms, spinach, and tomatoes. The garden veggies used in our pizza recipe, along with the combination of ricotta and prosciutto, create a fresh and vibrant topping that’s both colorful and flavorful.
Pizza with Ricotta Recipe
Now that you know when, how and why you should use the key ingredients in this recipe, let’s make this tasty Summer Pizza with Ricotta.
Basil Pizza with Ricotta & Balsamic Dressing
AlessiaEquipment
- 1 chopping board
- 1 chopping knife
- 1 vegetable peeler
- 1 grill pan
- 1 baking dish
- 2 tablespoons
- baking paper
Ingredients
- 1 pizza dough I am using store bought but you can make your own using our pizza dough recipe - Quick Pizza Dough Recipe: rises in 30 minutes
- 1 small courgette
- 1 small eggplant
- 1 peach
- 90 gr prosciutto crudo 5 to 6 slices
- 100 gr fresh ricotta
- 2 handfuls mozzarella for pizza
- 5 tbsp tomato passata or use this recipe to make a tasty tomato sauce (refer to the tomato sauce only) Vegan Creamy tomato pasta sauce
- 2 tbsp Belmorso Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 lt
- 1 tbsp PGI Platinum Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
- 1/2 handful fresh basil
Instructions
- Wash the courgette & cut lengthwise. You can slsice and cook it all or just half, which is what you'll need for one pizza.
- Do the same with the aubergine, but I suggest you remove the skin, and consider soaking it in water if you don't like its bitterness.
- Wash the peach & cut into medium thin wedges.
- Grill the vegetables & peaches on your grill pan. Once ready, set aside.
- While the vegetables cook, open the dough and layer it on your baking dish, covered with baking paper.
- Top the pizza dough with tomato sauce, and season with salt, pepper, & oregano.
- Add the shredded mozzarella cheese & bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
- While the pizza cooks, prepare the prosciutto & ricotta, ready for topping your pizza.
- Once you finish grilling your vegetables, prepare your dressing. Add 2 tablespoons of Belmorso EVOO and 2/3 of Plantinum balsamic. Chop your basil and add that too. Mix everything well and set aside.
- Take your pizza out of the oven.
- Layer the vegetables & peaches you grilled on top. And drizzle some of that dressing you made.
- Add the prosciutto crudo; I twirled mine into rosettes, but you can add it whole as is or shred each slice with your fingers.
- Spread the ricotta across the pizza into dollops.
- Finish with a drizzle of the basil EVOO balsamic dressing you made. Enjoy this fresh Summer pizza!
Notes
Other Pizza Recipes on the Blog
Focaccia Pizza With Artichokes & Olives
Pocket Pizza with Pesto & Cottage Cheese