Zesty Summer Lemon Pizza (Printer-friendly)
A bright and refreshing pizza featuring tangy lemon and creamy cheese.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dough
01 - 1 ball fresh pizza dough (about 10 oz)
→ Cheese & Sauce
02 - 4 oz crème fraîche or ricotta cheese
03 - 1 garlic clove, minced
04 - 4 oz fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced
05 - 1 oz grated Parmesan cheese
→ Toppings
06 - 1 unwaxed lemon, thinly sliced and seeds removed
07 - 1 tsp lemon zest
08 - 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
09 - 1.7 oz arugula (rocket)
10 - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
11 - ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
12 - Salt and pepper, to taste
# Directions:
01 - Preheat your oven to 475°F or as hot as it will go. If using a pizza stone, preheat it as well.
02 - Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface to your desired thickness. Transfer to a sheet of parchment paper.
03 - In a small bowl, mix the crème fraîche or ricotta with minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
04 - Spread the mixture evenly over the pizza base, leaving a small border. Arrange the mozzarella slices over the sauce, then sprinkle grated Parmesan on top.
05 - Lay the lemon slices over the cheese, slightly overlapping. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes if using.
06 - Carefully transfer the pizza (on parchment) to the hot stone or baking sheet. Bake for 10–13 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
07 - Remove from the oven, top immediately with arugula, lemon zest, and fresh basil leaves. Slice and serve hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The contrast of hot, melty cheese against sharp, fresh lemon makes every bite exciting.
- It uses minimal ingredients but delivers a complex, restaurant quality flavor profile.
02 -
- Removing the seeds from the lemon slices is crucial to prevent bitterness in the final dish.
- A super hot oven is required to cook the lemon rind until it is sweet rather than tough.
03 -
- Let the dough come to room temperature before stretching to avoid snapping back.
- Grating the lemon zest over the hot pizza releases oils that amplify the aroma.