There’s something irresistible about a white pizza that breaks all the rules. No tomato sauce? No problem! This White Pizza with Prosciutto & Hot Honey delivers a perfect balance of creamy, salty, and sweet heat that will make you forget all about traditional red sauce pies.
I created this recipe after a memorable dinner at a trendy pizzeria where the combination of paper-thin prosciutto and a drizzle of spicy honey transformed a simple white pizza into something extraordinary. The contrast between the cool, silky ricotta base and the warm, crispy crust creates a canvas for the star players: salty prosciutto and that addictive hot honey finish.
Why You’ll Love This
- It’s ready in just 45 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining
- The creamy white base offers a delicious alternative to traditional tomato sauce pizzas
- The combination of textures—crispy crust, creamy cheese, delicate prosciutto—creates a multi-dimensional eating experience
- Hot honey adds an unexpected sweet heat that elevates this pizza to restaurant quality
- It’s easily customizable with whatever herbs or greens you have on hand
Ingredients
- 12-16 oz your favorite pizza dough (room temp)
- 1/4 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or fresh mozz, grated)
- 1-2 oz grated parmesan
- 2-3 oz prosciutto
- A few stems fresh oregano
- 3 tbs honey
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (more if you like it extra spicy)
- Pinch red pepper flake
- 1/2 tbs balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to highest heat (usually 450-500°). Place baking sheet or pizza stone inside the oven while it preheats. In a small mixing bowl, season your ricotta. Add ricotta with a pinch of salt and pepper, mix together & set aside.
- When the oven is ready, shape your dough. On a lightly floured surface, flatten the dough by pressing your fingers and palms around the dough. When the dough is pressed out with your hands to about 8inch circle, lift it off the surface and let it hang. Move your hands around the edges kind of like an inch worm and let it stretch itself to a 10-12 inch circle. If the dough is shrinking back as you stretch it, cover it with plastic wrap and let it rest 15 minutes before coming back to it.
- Very carefully remove hot baking sheet from the oven, lightly spray or oil it. Lay your pizza dough. Cover with mozzarella cheese. Dollop the seasoned ricotta randomly over top. Sprinkle with grated parm. Drape prosciutto pieces on top of cheese. Sprinkle a few leaves of fresh oregano. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until crust is very golden and crispy on the outside & cheese is very melted.
- While pizza bakes, prepare hot honey. In a small dish: add 3tbs honey, a splash balsamic vinegar, large pinch red pepper and ⅛ – ¼ tsp cayenne. The less cayenne, the less spicy. Microwave about 20 seconds until warm, slightly bubbly and everything combines easily. Let it cool while the pizza finishes up. The honey will thicken as it cools.
- When pizza is done, remove from oven, lightly drizzle with hot honey (you may not use it all!). Cut & serve.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, mix herbs like thyme or rosemary into the ricotta before spreading
- Don’t have hot honey? Make your own by warming 2 tablespoons of honey with 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
- Add baby arugula after baking for a peppery freshness that complements the prosciutto
- For a vegetarian version, skip the prosciutto and add sautéed mushrooms before baking
- If you prefer a crispier crust, pre-bake the dough for 3-4 minutes before adding toppings
- Room temperature dough stretches more easily, so take it out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before using
Serving Suggestions
This white pizza makes a stunning centerpiece for a casual dinner party when paired with a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette. The bright, peppery greens provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, creamy pizza.
For a complete Italian-inspired meal, serve alongside a platter of marinated olives and a chilled glass of Pinot Grigio or a light-bodied Italian red wine like Chianti.
Notes
- The pizza is best enjoyed fresh from the oven, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days
- Reheat leftover slices in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until warmed through (avoid microwave reheating which makes the crust soggy)
- The crust should be golden brown and the bottom crisp when properly baked
FAQs
Can I make this pizza ahead of time?
You can prepare the dough and toppings ahead of time, but for best results, assemble and bake just before serving. The prosciutto and hot honey should always be added after baking.
What is hot honey and where can I find it?
Hot honey is honey infused with chili peppers. It’s available at specialty food stores or online, but you can easily make your own by warming regular honey with red pepper flakes.
Can I freeze this pizza?
While you can freeze the baked pizza, the texture of the prosciutto and quality of the toppings will suffer. If freezing, do so before adding the prosciutto and honey, then add those after reheating.
What can I substitute for ricotta cheese?
If you don’t have ricotta, you can use a mixture of cream cheese and sour cream (2:1 ratio) or mascarpone cheese as alternatives that will still provide that creamy white base.
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