The sun is starting to go down here, and it’s still so hot. On evenings like this, I can’t even think about a heavy meal. That’s usually when I start dreaming about this blackberry basil ricotta pizza. This is the pizza that finally got my family to stop arguing about putting fruit on pizza. It’s not just a meal; it’s light, fresh, and basically tastes like summer on a plate. The real trick, I found, is a blazing hot oven to get the crust just right. It’s what we’re having tonight, for sure.
Ingredients for Your Blackberry Basil Ricotta Pizza
You won’t need anything too wild for this blackberry basil ricotta pizza. Here’s the list. And I’m serious about the whole milk ricotta, by the way. I tried it with the low-fat kind once, and it was just… sad and watery. Don’t make my mistake.
- 1 ball of pizza dough, store-bought or your own
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, and a little more for brushing
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped up really fine
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella
- A pinch of salt, about 1/2 tsp
- A pinch of black pepper, about 1/4 tsp
- 1 cup of fresh blackberries
- A small handful of fresh basil leaves
- A bottle of balsamic glaze, for drizzling
How I Make It
This is how I get it done. No fuss, just follow along.
Step 1: Get the Oven Screaming Hot
This is the most important, and maybe most annoying, part. Put your pizza stone or a heavy baking sheet in the oven and get it as hot as it can possibly go, around 260∘C (500∘F). Let it heat up for a good 45 minutes. While that’s happening, let your pizza dough just hang out on the counter. When it comes to room temp, it gets all soft and relaxed, which is way easier to work with.
Step 2: The Creamy Garlic Stuff
In a bowl, just mix the ricotta, the finely chopped garlic, salt, and pepper. That’s it. That’s the “sauce.”
Step 3: Putting It All Together
I always use parchment paper because I’m clumsy and it has saved me from pizza-on-the-floor disasters. Stretch your dough out. My circles are always weirdly shaped; it’s fine. Brush the edge with olive oil, then just plop that ricotta mixture on and spread it around. Leave a little border so the crust can get all puffy and nice. Scatter the mozzarella on top.
Step 4: The Berries
Now just drop the blackberries around. Don’t go crazy and cover the whole thing. You just want them scattered about, ready to get all jammy and delicious in the heat.
Step 5: Into the Fire
Slide the whole thing, parchment and all, onto your hot stone. This is going to cook fast. After about 8 minutes, start peeking. You’ll know it’s done when the crust is looking toasty and the cheese is melted into bubbly little pools.
Step 6: The Best Part
Okay, DO NOT cut into it yet. Let it sit on the counter for a minute. Tear up the fresh basil with your hands and throw it all over the top. The heat from the pizza makes the whole room smell amazing. Then, give it a good scribble of balsamic glaze all over. The tangy glaze against the sweet berries is just… everything.
Recipes You May Like
Honestly, Just Make This Pizza
Look, this is one of my favorite things to make when I want something that feels special but is basically zero real effort. That combination of creamy cheese, sweet little pops of berry, and fresh herbs is just so good. I think you’ll really like this blackberry basil ricotta pizza. If you end up making it, I’d be curious to know what you think. Let me know in the comments.
