Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza with Hot Honey and Basil Recipe
A delicious Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza featuring a crispy crust topped with tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, spicy pepperoni slices, creamy ricotta dollops, and a finishing drizzle of hot honey for a perfect blend of savory and sweet flavors. Garnished with fresh basil and optional red pepper flakes, this homemade pizza is easy to prepare and bake in a hot oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 1 12-inch pizza (4 servings) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pizza Dough
- 1 ball pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- Flour or cornmeal, for dusting
For the Toppings
- ½ cup tomato sauce or pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup whole milk ricotta cheese, dolloped
- 20–25 slices pepperoni
- 1–2 tablespoons hot honey (store-bought or homemade)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
- Red pepper flakes, for extra heat (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the Oven and Dough: Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) or as hot as it will go. Place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to preheat for at least 30 minutes to ensure a crispy crust. Roll out your pizza dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch round shape, dusting with flour or cornmeal to prevent sticking.
- Assemble the Pizza: Spread the tomato or pizza sauce evenly over the rolled dough, leaving a ½-inch border around the edges. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese uniformly on top. Arrange the pepperoni slices over the cheese in an even layer, then add spoonfuls of ricotta cheese dolloped across the pizza for creamy pockets of flavor.
- Bake: Carefully transfer the assembled pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake in the hot oven for 8–12 minutes or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned, indicating it is perfectly cooked.
- Add Hot Honey and Garnish: Once out of the oven, immediately drizzle hot honey over the surface of the pizza to add a subtle spicy sweetness. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and sprinkle red pepper flakes if you prefer an extra kick. Slice and serve hot to enjoy the full blend of flavors.
Notes
- Using a pizza stone helps achieve a crispy crust, but a baking sheet will also work.
- Adjust the amount of hot honey based on your spice and sweetness preference.
- Fresh basil is optional but adds a nice aromatic touch.
- For extra crispiness, bake the pizza directly on the oven rack with a preheated stone beneath.
- If you prefer a thicker crust, roll the dough slightly larger and adjust baking time accordingly.
Keywords: pepperoni pizza, ricotta pizza, homemade pizza, hot honey pizza, easy pizza recipe, Italian pizza, pizza with ricotta cheese
