White pizza, also known as white pie, is a pizza without tomato sauce. Instead of tomato sauce, white pizza is made with olive oil, garlic, ricotta or mozzarella cheese, and a variety of other toppings. While red pizza with tomato sauce is the most common and well-known type of pizza, white pizza is growing in popularity as a delicious alternative.
The crust
Like any pizza, the foundation of white pizza is the crust. White pizza crust is typically made from the same simple ingredients as regular pizza dough – flour, water, yeast, olive oil, salt, and sugar. The dough is kneaded and left to rise before being rolled out or stretched and baked into the pizza crust.
Some bakers may add additional ingredients like whole wheat flour, honey, or herbs to give the crust more flavor. The end result is a lightly crisp yet chewy base for the white pizza toppings.
Sauce
While a red pizza is all about that rich, vibrant tomato sauce, white pizza foregoes tomato sauce completely. Instead, olive oil and garlic take center stage as the sauce. Pure olive oil is typically drizzled or brushed over the crust, providing moisture and enhancing browning. Garlic is minced or pressed and adds an aromatic backbone.
Sometimes the garlic is cooked briefly in the olive oil to mellow its bite before being used as a sauce. Other herbs like parsley, oregano, or basil may also be added to the oil and garlic mixture. But the sauce remains light, letting the other ingredients shine. Just a hint of garlic and olive oil flavor comes through in each bite.
Cheese
With no tomato sauce to take the lead, cheese becomes the star of white pizza. Fresh mozzarella is a popular choice, with its soft, creamy texture and mild milk flavor that pairs perfectly with the garlic oil. Shredded mozzarella can also be used for excellent melting properties and browning.
For an extra decadent white pizza, ricotta cheese provides a rich, almost sweet creaminess. The light and airy texture of ricotta contrasts nicely with the melted mozzarella. Other soft white cheeses like feta, provolone, fontina, or goat cheese work well too.
Toppings
Without the familiar red tomato sauce, the topping combinations on white pizza can be more versatile. Here are some favorite toppings for white pizza:
- Spinach – The fresh, earthy flavor is heightened by baking.
- Mushrooms – Meaty, roasted mushrooms add hearty texture.
- Caramelized onions – Sweet, softened onions pair perfectly with the cheeses.
- Broccoli – For a vegetable lover’s white pizza.
- Chicken – Bite-size chicken provides a protein boost.
- Bacon – Salty, crispy, smoky bacon is hard to resist.
- Clams or shrimp – Briny seafood tastes delicious on a white pie.
- Pears or figs – For a sweet and savory white pizza.
- Pesto – Basil pesto swirls add herbaceous flavor.
These are just a few of the many toppings that work well on white pizza. Anything from meatballs to roasted peppers can be used. Feel free to get creative with your own favorite flavors!
Putting it all together
Now that we’ve looked at the individual components, let’s see how they come together to make that perfect white pizza:
- Roll or stretch pizza dough out into a crust and bake for 2-3 minutes to set.
- Brush or drizzle olive oil lightly over the crust, then add minced or pressed garlic.
- Grate or slice fresh mozzarella and ricotta cheese, then layer evenly over the crust.
- Top with desired meats, veggies, herbs. Fig, pear, mushrooms, and spinach make a lovely combination.
- Bake pizza at around 450°F for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and the edges are crispy.
- Finish with a final drizzle of olive oil and dusting of parmesan cheese.
The steps are similar to making any pizza – it’s the absence of tomato sauce that really defines the white pizza. With just a few high quality ingredients like flavorful cheeses, garlic-infused olive oil, and fresh toppings, you can create a pizza that’s just as crave-worthy as a classic red pie.
The history of white pizza
White pizza as we know it today traces its origins to Italy. In the late 19th century, mozzarella cheese production expanded in Italy, allowing mozzarella to become more widely available and popular around the country. Bakers began experimenting with pizzas using mozzarella but without the familiar red sauce.
These early white pizzas allowed the subtle flavor of the fresh mozzarella to shine. Over time, additional cheeses like ricotta were incorporated. Stories suggest white pizza was first created in the Lombardy region of Italy, or perhaps Rome or Naples. Its inventors remain anonymous but clearly had a taste for innovation!
Italian immigrants later brought white pizza to America. It gained popularity on the East Coast especially; New York and New Haven, Connecticut both claim to be the true home of American white pizza. Like many foods adopted by American culture, white pizza has continued to evolve with new cheese blends and novel toppings.
From its origins in Italy to its modern interpretations around the world, white pizza endures as a beloved alternative to traditional tomato-topped pizza.
Regional variations
While the basic concept of tomato-less pizza topped with olive oil, garlic, and cheese is found everywhere, regional styles of white pizza have developed their own flair:
| Region | Style |
|---|---|
| New Haven, CT | Famous for white clam pizza with fresh clams, olive oil, parsley, garlic, oregano, and grated cheese. |
| New York City | Typically made with ricotta, mozzarella, garlic, oregano or basil. |
| Italy | White pizza in Italy tends to let the mozzarella and cheese shine with just a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of herbs. |
| Greece | Greek white pizza often includes feta cheese, spinach, and olives. |
| California | California style white pizza may feature avocado, chicken, artichokes, pesto, or unconventional cheeses. |
Yet wherever you get white pizza, that craveable base of crispy crust with garlicky olive oil and gooey cheese remains a constant. The regional twists simply make white pizza even more interesting.
Health considerations
While any pizza is unlikely to be a health food, white pizza does have some advantages nutrition-wise over traditional red pizza:
- Olive oil provides healthy fats compared to butter or shortening sometimes used in pizza crust.
- There is less sodium without salty processed tomato sauce.
- Fresh vegetables like spinach provide vitamins and nutrients.
- Using part-skim ricotta and mozzarella reduces overall fat and calories compared to full-fat cheeses.
That said, white pizza is still typically high in calories, carbohydrates, and fat, especially saturated fat from the cheeses. Some tips for lightening up your white pizza:
- Use a thin, crispy crust rather than a thick, doughy crust.
- Pile on the veggie toppings.
- Choose lower-fat cheese options.
- Limit high-sodium processed meats like pepperoni or sausage.
- Stick to one or two cheese types rather than a cheese blend.
- Squeeze lemon over instead of drizzling more oil.
While white pizza will never be a health food, a slice of vegetable-loaded white pizza can be a fresher, lighter option than pepperoni pizza oozing with grease. As part of an overall healthy diet, white pizza in moderation can be guilt-free indulgence.
Homemade vs. restaurant white pizza
| Factor | Homemade | Restaurant |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Much cheaper. Home ingredients like flour and olive oil cost a fraction of restaurant prices. | A 12-16 inch restaurant white pizza can cost $15-$25. |
| Health | Can control ingredients for a healthier pizza at home. | Restaurants often use full-fat cheese blends and fatty meats. |
| Flavor | Can customize flavors exactly as desired. | Access to professional pizza ovens and experienced chefs. |
| Convenience | Requires prep and baking time. | Restaurant pizza ready immediately. |
| Experience | Fun, hands-on experience baking pizza at home. | Going out for pizza is a treat. |
Homemade and restaurant white pizzas each have their perks. Cooking white pizza at home can be an enjoyable DIY food project that’s lighter on the wallet. Going out for white pizza is a nice change of pace from home cooking. There’s room for both in any pizza lover’s life!
Freezing and storing leftovers
Like most pizzas, white pizza also lends itself well to freezing and reheating:
- Allow cooked white pizza to cool completely before freezing, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap followed by foil.
- Freeze for 2-3 months; thicker crusts may last longer than thin crusts.
- Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve texture.
- Reheat slices or halves in a 350°F oven until warmed through, 5-10 minutes.
- Microwave reheating can yield a soggy crust.
- Refrigerate fresh leftovers and reheat within 3-4 days for best quality.
With proper storage, white pizza leftovers can make tasty meals for several days after baking. The slower-reheating refrigeration and oven methods help revive the crust best.
Conclusion
From its minimalist beginnings as Italian mozzarella pie, white pizza has become a full-fledged pizza specialty loaded with flavorful cheeses, fresh vegetables, and high-quality meats. The garlicky, olive oil-kissed crust, when piled high with ricotta, mozzarella, onions, mushrooms, spinach, or other favorite toppings, makes white pizza a comforting, crave-worthy treat.
White pizza offers a delicious blank canvas for creativity in the kitchen. There’s always a new cheese blend, herb, or inventive topping combination to try for an exciting twist on the classic. So fire up your oven and get ready to enjoy a fresh slice of everyone’s new favorite pizza – white pizza!