Trio Pizza with Roasted Garlic, Spinach, and Ricotta
A hand-tossed pizza featuring roasted garlic, fresh spinach, and dollops of creamy ricotta cheese for a harmonious blend of flavors. This italian-inspired pizza (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs olive oil, garlic cloves, whole, ricotta cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (enough for a 12-inch pizza) pizza dough
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 8 garlic cloves, whole
- 2 cups fresh spinach, washed and roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 475°F and place a pizza stone or inverted baking sheet inside to heat.
- Step 2: Toss 8 whole garlic cloves with 1 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Spread on a small baking sheet and roast in the oven for 15 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Step 3: Roll out 1 lb pizza dough on a floured surface to a 12-inch circle. Brush the surface with 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Step 4: Evenly distribute the roasted garlic cloves mashed slightly with the back of a spoon, then scatter 2 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach over the dough.
- Step 5: Dollop 1/2 cup ricotta cheese in spoonfuls over the pizza, then sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
- Step 6: Season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using.
- Step 7: Transfer the pizza to the preheated stone or baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Step 8: Remove and let rest 3 minutes before slicing and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Trio Pizza with Roasted Garlic, Spinach, and Ricotta take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Trio Pizza with Roasted Garlic, Spinach, and Ricotta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Trio Pizza with Roasted Garlic, Spinach, and Ricotta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Trio Pizza with Roasted Garlic, Spinach, and Ricotta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Trio Pizza with Roasted Garlic, Spinach, and Ricotta vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.