Lemon Ricotta Pizza with Herbs and Honey Recipe
This Lemon Ricotta Pizza with Herbs and Honey is a bright and flavorful dish that perfectly balances creamy ricotta, citrusy lemon slices, aromatic herbs, and a delicate lavender-infused honey drizzle. The caramelized onions add depth and sweetness, while the pine nuts bring a delightful crunch. It is a sophisticated yet easy-to-make pizza, perfect as a unique appetizer or a light main course.
- Author: Clara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer/Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Honey and Lavender Infusion
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons dried lavender
Pizza Base and Toppings
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 3 lemons, very thinly sliced, rind included, each slice cut in half
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for brushing pan
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh sage, thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons pine nuts
- Make the Lavender Honey: In a small saucepan, combine the honey and dried lavender. Gently heat it over low heat while you prepare the pizza, allowing the honey to infuse with the fragrant lavender flavor.
- Heat Oven and Prepare Onion: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a skillet, cook the sliced onion in 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat until the onions are soft and starting to brown, about 8-10 minutes. Add the balsamic vinegar and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat.
- Prepare the Pizza Base: Lightly brush your round or rectangular baking pan or pizza stone with olive oil to prevent sticking. Spread the pizza dough or base evenly to the edges of the pan.
- Initial Bake: Place the pizza base in the preheated oven for 5 minutes to start cooking the dough.
- Add Ricotta Cheese: Remove the partially baked base from the oven and spread 1 cup of ricotta cheese evenly over the top.
- Add Caramelized Onions: Spread the caramelized onion and balsamic mixture evenly over the ricotta layer.
- Add Lemon and Herbs: Arrange the very thin lemon slices across the pizza, then sprinkle the chopped rosemary, thinly sliced sage, and pine nuts over the top.
- Add Remaining Ricotta: Dollop the remaining 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese evenly over the pizza to add creamy bursts.
- Bake Until Golden: Return the pizza to the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the pizza are beautifully browned and the cheese is set.
- Serve with Lavender Honey: Remove the honey from the heat and pour it into a small pitcher. Serve the pizza hot and allow guests to drizzle the fragrant lavender honey on top as desired for a perfect sweet finish.
Notes
- Cutting the lemon slices into halves and slicing them very thin helps the lemon cook quickly and blend well with other flavors.
- The lavender honey adds a gourmet touch but can be substituted with regular honey if dried lavender is unavailable.
- Use fresh herbs for the best flavor impact, but dried rosemary and sage can be used in a pinch (use less quantity).
- Ensure the onions are well caramelized for a sweet and tangy flavor layer.
- If you don’t have a pizza stone, a well-oiled baking sheet or rectangular pan works well.
- This pizza is best consumed fresh but can be reheated gently without losing texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 pizza (approx. 150g)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: lemon ricotta pizza, lavender honey, caramelized onion pizza, herb pizza, Italian vegetarian pizza, pine nuts pizza