At a Glance: 🕒 60 minutes | 🍽️ 4-6 servings | 👨🍳 Intermediate | 🌱 Vegetarian | 💚 Nutritious
Transform your kitchen into a Greek taverna with this irresistible white pizza that marries sweet roasted garlic with vibrant spinach and creamy Mediterranean cheeses.
What Makes This Pizza Extraordinary
🎯 The Secret Weapon: Roasting garlic transforms its sharp bite into sweet, caramelized perfection
🧀 Cheese Harmony: Four distinct cheeses create layers of flavor and texture
🌿 Nutrient Dense: Spinach adds vitamins without compromising taste
🏠 Home Chef Friendly: Uses store-bought crust for foolproof results
🔄 Infinitely Adaptable: Base recipe welcomes endless variations
Essential Shopping List
Core Components
🧄 1 whole garlic bulb (choose firm, heavy heads)
🥬 4 cups fresh baby spinach (or 1 cup frozen, thawed)
🍕 1 pizza dough/crust (12-14 inch)
🫒 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oilThe Cheese Collection
🧀 Ricotta (1 cup) → Creamy foundation
🧀 Fresh mozzarella (8 oz, torn) → Melty magic
🧀 Feta (4 oz, crumbled) → Tangy brightness
🧀 Parmigiano-Reggiano (½ cup, grated) → Nutty finishFlavor Boosters
🌿 Fresh oregano (2 tsp) or dried (1 tsp)
🌶️ Red pepper flakes (½ tsp, optional)
🧂 Sea salt & black pepper
🍃 Fresh basil (for serving)The 60-Minute Journey
Stage 1: Garlic Alchemy (40 minutes, mostly passive)
🔥 Preheat oven → 425°F (220°C)
✂️ Trim garlic top → Expose all cloves
💧 Drizzle with oil → 1 tablespoon, massage in
📦 Wrap in foil → Create sealed packet
⏰ Roast 35-40 min → Until golden and spreadablePro Insight: Perfect roasted garlic should squeeze out like soft butter. If it’s still firm, roast 5-10 minutes longer.
Stage 2: Spinach Preparation (5 minutes)
🔥 Heat pan → Medium heat, 1 tbsp oil
🥬 Add spinach → In batches if using fresh
⏱️ Sauté briefly → 2-3 minutes until just wilted
🧂 Season lightly → Salt and pepper
💨 Cool completely → Prevents soggy crustMoisture Management: Squeeze excess liquid from cooled spinach using clean kitchen towel.
Stage 3: Ricotta Base Creation (5 minutes)
🧄 Squeeze roasted garlic → Into mixing bowl, mash smooth
🥄 Add ricotta → Fold in gently
🌿 Mix in oregano → Plus pinch of salt and pepper
🧀 Fold in ½ mozzarella → Reserve rest for topping
👅 Taste & adjust → Should be creamy, well-seasonedStage 4: Pizza Assembly (5 minutes)
🍕 Prepare crust → On parchment-lined baking sheet
🥄 Spread ricotta mix → Even layer, ½-inch border
🥬 Distribute spinach → Evenly across surface
🧀 Add remaining mozzarella → Torn into chunks
🧀 Sprinkle feta → Don't overpack
🌶️ Add pepper flakes → If desiredStage 5: The Final Bake (12-15 minutes)
🔥 Bake at 425°F → 12-15 minutes
👀 Watch for golden edges → And bubbling cheese
🧀 Finish with Parmesan → Last 2 minutes of baking
⏰ Cool 3 minutes → For cleaner slices
🌿 Add fresh basil → Just before servingMastery Techniques
🧄 Garlic Roasting Mastery
- Batch roasting: Make extra bulbs, store in oil for 1 week
- Even cooking: Choose similar-sized bulbs
- Doneness test: Cloves should be golden, not brown
🧀 Cheese Layering Strategy
- Ricotta first: Creates moisture barrier
- Mozzarella middle: Provides stretch and melt
- Feta scattered: Adds pops of flavor
- Parmesan last: Creates golden finish
🥬 Spinach Perfection
- Fresh advantage: Better texture, more control
- Wilting technique: Quick sauté preserves color
- Water removal: Critical for preventing sogginess
Flavor Upgrade Options
🌟 Mediterranean Plus
Add during assembly:
- Kalamata olives (pitted, halved)
- Sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, chopped)
- Artichoke hearts (marinated, quartered)
🥩 Protein Additions
Top during final 5 minutes:
- Grilled chicken (sliced thin)
- Prosciutto (torn pieces)
- Italian sausage (pre-cooked, crumbled)
🌿 Fresh Herb Garden
Finish with any combination:
- Fresh basil leaves
- Chopped fresh oregano
- Microgreens for elegance
Problem-Solving Guide
Common Challenges & Solutions
ProblemRoot CauseSolutionSoggy centerToo much moisturePat spinach completely dryBland flavorUnder-seasoned baseTaste ricotta mixture, add saltBurnt crustOven too hotReduce to 400°F, cover edgesTough spinachOvercookedQuick sauté only, residual heat finishes cookingSeparated cheeseToo high heatLower temperature, watch closely
Nutritional Breakdown
Per Slice (1/6 of pizza)
- Calories: 285
- Protein: 16g
- Carbs: 28g
- Fat: 14g
- Fiber: 3g
- Calcium: 320mg (25% DV)
- Iron: 3.2mg (18% DV)
Health Highlights
✅ Spinach Power: Vitamin K, folate, antioxidants
✅ Garlic Benefits: Allicin compounds, heart health
✅ Quality Protein: From three cheese sources
✅ Lower Sodium: Than typical takeout pizza
Storage & Reheating
Refrigeration (Up to 4 days)
- Store in airtight container
- Reheat in 350°F oven, 8-10 minutes
- Avoid microwave for best texture
Freezing (Up to 2 months)
- Wrap individual slices in plastic
- Thaw overnight, reheat as above
- Best texture when consumed fresh
Serving Inspiration
🥗 Perfect Partners
- Arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette
- Greek village salad with cucumbers and tomatoes
- Roasted vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers
🍷 Beverage Pairings
- White wines: Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc
- Light reds: Chianti, Sangiovese
- Craft beer: Wheat beer or Belgian witbier
- Non-alcoholic: Sparkling water with herbs
Recipe Variations
🌱 Vegan Version
Replace with:
- Cashew ricotta
- Nutritional yeast
- Vegan mozzarella
🌶️ Spicy Greek
Add:
- Pepperoncini
- Hot honey drizzle
- Extra red pepper flakes
🍄 Mushroom Medley
Include:
- Sautéed wild mushrooms
- Truffle oil drizzle
- Fresh thyme
Success Indicators
Perfect pizza achieved when:
- Crust is golden with slight char
- Cheese bubbles actively
- Garlic aroma is prominent
- First bite balances creamy, tangy, and savory
Chef’s Philosophy: Great pizza isn’t about exotic ingredients—it’s about treating simple components with respect and allowing each flavor to shine in harmony.
Ready to create pizza magic? This recipe transforms everyday ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience that rivals the best pizzerias.
