A Bright And Cheesy Twist On Homemade Pizza, Layered With Melty Mozzarella, Creamy Ricotta, Salty Parmesan, And Finished With Lemon Zest And Fresh Basil For A Zippy, Fresh Finish!
Pizza night is a regular thing in our house, but every now and then, I like to shake things up from the usual pepperoni routine. That’s how this Three-Cheese Lemon Basil Pizza was born — and honestly, it blew us all away.
It’s creamy, fresh, and bursting with flavor. The mix of cheeses makes it extra decadent, while the lemon and basil keep it from feeling too heavy. It’s a little fancy, but still laid-back enough to throw together on a weeknight. Even the kids were asking for seconds! This is one of those recipes that feels like something you’d get from a trendy café… but you made it at home in under 30 minutes.
Questions I Often Get Asked About This Recipe
Q: Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
A: Yes! In fact, I usually do. Fresh or frozen dough from the store makes this super quick and still tastes amazing.
Q: What kind of ricotta should I use?
A: Whole milk ricotta gives the creamiest texture. Just make sure to drain any excess liquid before adding it to your pizza.
Q: Does lemon actually taste good on pizza?
A: Absolutely! The zest adds a bright, fresh flavor that cuts through the richness of the cheeses. It’s subtle but makes a big difference.
Q: Can I add meat?
A: Definitely! Prosciutto or grilled chicken go really well with the flavors in this pizza.
Q: Can I make it in a cast iron skillet?
A: Yes — it’ll give you an even crispier crust. Just preheat the skillet before adding the dough.
What You Need to Make Three-Cheese Lemon Basil Pizza
- 1 ball of pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Handful of fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Cornmeal or flour, for dusting the pan
How to Make Three-Cheese Lemon Basil Pizza
1. Preheat and prep
Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone or baking steel, place it in the oven to heat. Lightly dust a baking sheet or pizza peel with cornmeal or flour.
2. Stretch the dough
On a floured surface, stretch or roll your dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer it to your prepared pan or peel.
3. Brush with garlic oil
In a small bowl, combine olive oil and minced garlic. Brush the surface of the dough with this mixture for extra flavor.
4. Add the cheeses
Dollop the ricotta evenly across the pizza. Sprinkle mozzarella over the top, followed by Parmesan. Season lightly with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if using.
5. Bake
Transfer to the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
6. Finish with lemon and basil
As soon as it comes out of the oven, sprinkle the lemon zest and torn fresh basil leaves over the top. Let cool for a couple minutes before slicing.
Tips
- Want more tang? A squeeze of lemon juice just before serving really wakes everything up.
- Make it crispy: Pre-bake the crust for 2–3 minutes before adding toppings if you like a firmer bottom.
- Use a blend: Try adding fontina or goat cheese if you want to experiment with different cheeses.
Reader Reviews
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Megan L. – “This was so fresh and flavorful! The lemon zest made it feel fancy, and the kids didn’t even miss the sauce.”
🌟🌟🌟🌟 Rachel S. – “Loved how light this pizza felt. We added some thin prosciutto and it was restaurant quality!”
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Sophie W. – “I’m obsessed with this. Cheesy and creamy but still bright — definitely a new favorite!”
🌟🌟🌟🌟 Emma B. – “I made this with a premade crust and it still turned out fantastic. I’ll be making this again for girls’ night.”
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Jessica H. – “Unexpected flavor combo that totally works. Lemon on pizza is my new thing!”
Printable Recipe
Three-Cheese Lemon Basil Pizza
This Three-Cheese Lemon Basil Pizza combines creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and salty parmesan with fresh lemon zest and basil for a bright and flavorful homemade pizza.
Ingredients
- 1 ball of pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Handful of fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Cornmeal or flour, for dusting the pan
Instructions
1. Preheat and prep
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone or baking steel, place it in the oven to heat. Lightly dust a baking sheet or pizza peel with cornmeal or flour.
2. Stretch the dough
- On a floured surface, stretch or roll your dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer it to your prepared pan or peel.
3. Brush with garlic oil
- In a small bowl, combine olive oil and minced garlic. Brush the surface of the dough with this mixture for extra flavor.
4. Add the cheeses
- Dollop the ricotta evenly across the pizza. Sprinkle mozzarella over the top, followed by Parmesan. Season lightly with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if using.
5. Bake
- Transfer to the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
6. Finish with lemon and basil
- As soon as it comes out of the oven, sprinkle the lemon zest and torn fresh basil leaves over the top. Let cool for a couple minutes before slicing.
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If You Enjoyed This Recipe, Please Share!
If this Three-Cheese Lemon Basil Pizza brought a little sunshine to your dinner table, please share it with your friends and followers! It’s a fun and refreshing spin on homemade pizza that always gets compliments. Pin it, post it, or tag me if you make it — I love seeing your creations!
