Deep Dish White Pizza with Ricotta | Homtone Pizza Oven

Product: https://homtone.com/products/10-in-1-electric-pizza-oven

Ingredients:

Pizza dough (11"-12")
Ricotta cheese (about 1 cup)
Fresh mozzarella slices (thinly sliced, about 8 oz)
Garlic cloves (2-3 cloves, minced)
Fresh basil leaves (about 10-12 large leaves)
Olive oil (extra virgin preferred, about 2 tablespoons)
Salt (preferably sea salt, to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (optional)

Instructions:

Step 1. Preheat the Oven:

Set your oven to 450℉. Allow it to preheat for at least 15-20 minutes to ensure the oven reaches the correct temperature. This high temperature is crucial for achieving the crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese characteristic of a deep-dish pizza.

Step 2. Prepare the Garlic:

Peel and mince 2-3 garlic cloves. Mincing the garlic finely will help distribute the flavor evenly across the pizza.

Step 3. Prepare the Basil:

Wash the fresh basil leaves thoroughly and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. You can either leave the leaves whole or tear them into smaller pieces for more even distribution.

Step 4. Prepare the Dough:

Take the pizza dough out of the refrigerator (if it was refrigerated) and let it sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes to make it more manageable.
Lightly flour your work surface to prevent the dough from sticking.
Stretch or roll out the pizza dough to fit an 11"-12" round pan. Aim for a thickness of about 1/4 inch, ensuring the dough is even throughout.

Step 5. Shape the Dough:

Press the dough into the pan, ensuring it covers the bottom and sides completely. You may need to stretch the dough a bit more to fit the pan perfectly. The dough should come up the sides of the pan to create a thick crust.

Step 6. Add the Ricotta Cheese:

Spread a generous layer of ricotta cheese over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust. Use a spoon or a small spatula to apply the ricotta evenly. Ricotta adds a creamy, slightly tangy base for the other toppings.

Step 7. Layer the Cheese:

Add layers of fresh mozzarella slices evenly over the ricotta cheese. Ensure the cheese covers the ricotta layer completely, as this will help create a uniform melt and prevent the ricotta from bubbling up excessively. The mozzarella should be thinly sliced to ensure it melts smoothly at the high temperature.

Step 8. Arrange the Garlic and Basil:

Sprinkle the minced garlic evenly over the mozzarella cheese. The garlic will infuse the pizza with a rich, aromatic flavor.
Arrange the fresh basil leaves on top of the garlic. The basil will add a burst of fresh flavor to the pizza.

Step 9. Season and Drizzle:

Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the basil. This adds a rich flavor and helps the crust achieve a beautiful golden-brown color.
Sprinkle with salt to taste. If desired, add a few grinds of freshly ground black pepper for an extra layer of flavor.

Step 10. Bake the Pizza:

Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes. Keep an eye on it through the oven window to monitor the crust and cheese. The high temperature means the pizza will cook thoroughly, and you want to ensure the crust is golden-brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

Step 11. Check for Doneness:

After 35 minutes, carefully remove the pizza from the oven using oven mitts. Check the crust for a golden-brown color and ensure the cheese is bubbly and slightly charred in spots. The crust should be firm and the cheese should be fully melted.

Step 12. Cool and Slice:

Let the pizza cool slightly for about 5-10 minutes. This allows the cheese to set slightly, making it easier to slice.
Once cooled, slice the pizza into wedges using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife.

Step 13. Serve:

Serve the pizza warm, ideally with a side of garlic bread or a simple salad. Enjoy your delicious Deep Dish White Pizza with Ricotta!

This recipe combines the creamy richness of ricotta cheese with fresh mozzarella, aromatic garlic, and fresh basil, all baked to perfection in a thick, crispy crust. Enjoy!