White Pizza (Pizza Bianca)

No red sauce? No problem! A fun vegetarian pizza recipe!

Our modern idea of pizza originates from Naples, Italy. Pizza was a flat bread that was covered with various toppings and eaten as an inexpensive meal. It was sold at informal restaurants and by street vendors. Pizza usually featured garnishes like garlic, anchovies, tomatoes, oil, and cheese.

Pizza came to the United States from Naples through immigrants. The Neapolitan immigrants recreated their favorite pizzas in cities like New York, Boston, Chicago, Trenton, and St. Louis. It became popular. One of the United States’ first documented pizzerias was Lombardi’s in Manhattan, they had been licensed to sell pizza in 1905. Before that time pizza was made at home or sold by unlicensed vendors.

I really enjoy ordering Pizza Bianca at pizzerias. It always seems like such a change from the typical tomato sauce-based pizzas. Most restaurants like to use the white pizza as a vehicle for artisan toppings like prosciutto and arugula. This recipe will be much simpler, but still full of flavor!

White Pizza (Pizza Bianca)

Yields 1 (15-inch) Pizza

Vegetarian

Prep Time 5 minutes

Bake Time 12-18 minutes

Wine Pairing Suggestion: Pinot Grigio

Beer Pairing Suggestion: Pilsner

Directions

Preheat oven to 475 F

Toss the dough and then shape to make a 15-inch pizza crust. Or using a floured rolling pin, roll the dough and then shape to make a 15-inch pizza crust.

Transfer dough to nonstick pizza pan dusted with cornmeal. Drizzle olive oil around the edges of the crust. Spread garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper over the crust. Evenly distribute the cheeses on the pizza. Place mushrooms on top.

Place pizza pan in oven. Bake for 12 to 18 minutes, until cheese is melted and the crust is golden and crisp.

Garnish with fresh basil.

Cut into slices using a pizza cutter.

Serve hot.

Have fun with the toppings! Modify the toppings based on what produce is fresh and local to your area. Roasted red peppers go well on white pizza.

For a crispy pizza, bake the dough on a pizza stone.

If you want a non-vegetarian pizza add cooked chicken breast slices or crumbled Italian sausage.

Pizza is a fun recipe to make with your kids! Make it a learning activity by using the pizza and pizza slices to teach fractions.

DID YOU MAKE THIS DISH?

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