Pizza with Ricotta & Basil Balsamic Dressing

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.

This pizza does a splendid job of showcasing the essence of Italian cuisine – fresh, high-quality ingredients married together to create a plethora of flavours. It brings together the creaminess of the ricotta, the fresh crunch of garden veggies, the salty savouriness of prosciutto, and the sweet and tangy elegance of a basil balsamic dressing.
Below I am answering the most common questions you might have around this recipe. I will share the ingredients and instructions right after that.
summer pizza with ricotta

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.

 

grilled vegetables for pizza

 

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 and basil

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.

 

summer pizza with ricotta

Basil Pizza with Ricotta & Balsamic Dressing

Alessia
Looking for a tasty Summer variation to your weekend pizza? Try this vegetable pizza with prosciutto, ricotta & a basil balsamic dressing.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 1 pizza
Calories 2100 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 chopping board
  • 1 chopping knife
  • 1 vegetable peeler
  • 1 grill pan
  • 1 baking dish
  • 2 tablespoons
  • baking paper

Ingredients
  

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.
    vegetables sliced thinly
  • 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.
    vegetables for grilling
  • Wash the peach & cut into medium thin wedges.
    peach on pizza
  • Grill the vegetables & peaches on your grill pan. Once ready, set aside.
    grilling zucchini
  • 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.
    preparing margherita pizza
  • 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.
    italian dressing with basil
  • Take your pizza out of the oven.
    summer pizza with grilled vegetables
  • Layer the vegetables & peaches you grilled on top. And drizzle some of that dressing you made.
    grilled vegetables on pizza
  • Add the prosciutto crudo; I twirled mine into rosettes, but you can add it whole as is or shred each slice with your fingers.
    summer pizza
  • Spread the ricotta across the pizza into dollops.
    summer pizza with ricotta
  • Finish with a drizzle of the basil EVOO balsamic dressing you made. Enjoy this fresh Summer pizza!

Notes

Please note that the calories above are for the entire pizza. You can choose to share it into as many portions as you like.
Keyword balsamic dressing, basil pizza, pizza with ricotta, summer pizza

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Alessia
Author: Alessia

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