Prosciutto Arugula Pizza: An Irresistible Homemade White Pizza Recipe with Ricotta and Lemon Zest

Imagine a pizza night at home elevated to gourmet status, without any complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients. This Prosciutto Arugula Pizza is precisely that – a delightful homemade white pizza masterpiece. It’s generously topped with a rich ricotta cheese base, fresh peppery arugula, savory prosciutto, and a bright hint of lemon zest, creating a symphony of flavors in every bite. Perfect for an easy yet impressive pizza night with family and friends!

Prosciutto Arugula Pizza on a pizza pan with pizza cutter

As a food blogger, you might think my life is a culinary dream, where delicious meals magically appear on the table every night. The truth is, while the actual cooking brings me immense joy, the daily planning of meals can be quite the challenge. Deciding what to eat a week from now, keeping track of expiring ingredients, catering to fluctuating cravings, and battling unpredictable weather (like a heatwave that makes me dread turning on the oven!) often throws my menu plans into disarray.

When I find myself in a creative rut, I often turn to past dining experiences for inspiration. A few years back, during a freelance project shooting menu items for a local gas station, I discovered an unexpected culinary gem. My go-to lunch order became their simple yet incredibly satisfying arugula pizza, featuring a creamy ricotta base and a bright finish of lemon zest. I ordered it so many times that once the project concluded, I knew I had to recreate that magic at home.

This Prosciutto Arugula Pizza recipe is my homemade ode to that memorable meal. While it started as an inspiration, it’s not meant to be a direct copycat. I’ve enhanced it with the addition of thinly sliced prosciutto and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, which, if I dare say so myself, makes my version even better. It’s a sophisticated yet incredibly easy white pizza that promises to be a new favorite for your next pizza night.

Why You’ll Love This Prosciutto Arugula White Pizza

What makes this Prosciutto Arugula Pizza truly special? It’s a celebration of fresh, high-quality ingredients harmoniously coming together. Instead of a traditional red tomato sauce, this is a “white pizza,” meaning its base is a luscious blend of cheeses. A creamy garlic-ricotta mixture serves as the foundation, providing a rich, savory depth that perfectly complements the other toppings. Once baked to golden perfection, it’s adorned with a vibrant medley of fresh arugula, delicate prosciutto, savory shaved Parmesan, and a final flourish of bright lemon zest. It’s almost like enjoying a fresh, zesty salad atop a warm, cheesy crust – a truly irresistible combination of textures and flavors.

What is Prosciutto? Understanding This Italian Delicacy

Prosciutto is a cornerstone of Italian charcuterie, an exquisite dry-cured ham that brings an unparalleled depth of flavor to any dish. Originating from regions across Italy, most notably Parma (Prosciutto di Parma) and San Daniele (Prosciutto di San Daniele), it’s made from the hind leg of a pig, which is carefully seasoned with salt, then air-dried and aged for months, sometimes even years. This meticulous process results in its characteristic earthy, nutty, and subtly sweet flavor, alongside a remarkably tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

While often enjoyed thinly sliced on a charcuterie board for two, perhaps alongside some Cranberry Baked Brie or fresh fruit, prosciutto is also a fantastic ingredient for cooking. Its delicate flavor can enhance pasta dishes, sandwiches, salads, and, of course, pizzas like this Prosciutto Arugula Pizza. For the best experience, prosciutto is typically added *after* the cooking process to preserve its delicate texture and flavor, ensuring it remains unctuous and flavorful.

Essential Ingredients for Your Homemade Prosciutto Arugula Pizza

Crafting this delightful arugula and prosciutto pizza is straightforward when you have the right ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

Pizza dough: The foundation of your pizza! Feel free to use your favorite homemade recipe (like for my Shrimp Scampi Pizza for Two), a quick thin crust dough, or a high-quality store-bought option for convenience. You can even use pre-made flatbread for an even quicker meal, similar to my Caprese Hummus Flatbread Pizza.
Ricotta cheese: This forms the creamy “white sauce” base. Opt for full-fat ricotta for the richest texture and flavor, much like the delicious base of my Brussels Sprouts and Ricotta Flatbread.
Mozzarella cheese: Essential for that classic pizza melt, mozzarella adds another layer of mild, creamy goodness to our ricotta mixture.
Fresh garlic: As an Italian American, I believe every great pizza deserves a touch of garlic. Minced fresh garlic infuses the ricotta base with an aromatic depth that is simply irresistible.
Lemon: Crucial for balancing the richness of the cheeses and prosciutto. You’ll need both the zest for aromatic brightness and the fresh juice for its acidity. Don’t shy away from the amount of juice; it’s key to cutting through the richness and elevating the overall flavor profile.
Parmesan cheese: We use both shredded and shaved Parmesan. Shredded Parmesan is mixed into the ricotta base for an umami kick, while shaved Parmesan is added at the end for an extra layer of salty, nutty flavor and a beautiful presentation. For the best taste and texture, buy a wedge and shred/shave it yourself.
Prosciutto: The star meat! As discussed, prosciutto is best served cold to maintain its delicate texture and intense flavor, so it’s added to the pizza after baking.
Arugula: This leafy green vegetable adds a wonderful peppery, slightly bitter note that provides a refreshing contrast to the rich cheese and savory prosciutto.
Red onion: A finely sliced red onion, lightly cooked on the pizza, offers a subtle sweetness and a touch of sharpness, perfectly tying all the flavors together.

Slice cut out of prosciutto arugula pizza

Step-by-Step Guide: How To Make Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza

Creating your homemade Prosciutto Arugula Pizza is an enjoyable process. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result:

Prepare your dough and preheat: Begin by preparing your chosen pizza dough, shaping it to fit your pizza pan. Lightly grease the pan if necessary. Simultaneously, preheat your oven to a hot 450°F (232°C). A high oven temperature is key for a crispy crust.
Craft the creamy base: While your oven is warming, in a medium bowl, combine the full-fat ricotta, shredded mozzarella, shredded Parmesan, minced garlic, and 1 ½ tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Stir until all ingredients are well combined and form a smooth, spreadable mixture.
Assemble the pizza: Evenly spread this luscious ricotta mixture onto your prepared pizza dough, leaving a small border for the crust. Next, scatter the thinly sliced red onion over the ricotta base.
Bake to golden perfection: Carefully transfer your pizza to the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crispy to your desired preference, and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned. Baking times can vary depending on your oven and dough thickness.
Add fresh toppings and finish: Once the pizza is out of the oven, it’s time for the fresh additions. In a small bowl, lightly toss the arugula with the remaining 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. Immediately top the hot pizza with the dressed arugula, delicate slices of prosciutto, and generous shavings of Parmesan cheese. Gently press down on the arugula and prosciutto so they adhere nicely to the warm cheese.
Garnish and serve: For a final flourish and an extra burst of aroma, garnish your pizza with fresh lemon zest just before serving. Slice and enjoy your gourmet homemade Prosciutto Arugula Pizza!

Slice of prosciutto pizza on a white plate

Reheating Your Prosciutto Arugula Pizza: Tips for Leftovers

While this pizza is undeniably best fresh out of the oven, you might wonder about reheating leftovers. Can you reheat pizza with arugula? Technically, yes, you can. However, it’s important to note that the fresh arugula will likely wilt considerably and lose its vibrant texture once reheated. If you prefer your arugula to remain crisp, you have a couple of options:

Eat it cold: The good news is that leftover Prosciutto Arugula Pizza is surprisingly delicious served cold! The creamy ricotta sauce and the savory prosciutto work beautifully at room temperature or chilled, making it a fantastic grab-and-go meal.
Remove and re-add arugula: If you want to enjoy a warm slice, simply pick off the fresh arugula before reheating. Once your slice is warmed (in an oven, toaster oven, or even a pan on the stovetop for a crispy bottom), add a fresh handful of arugula, a few new slices of prosciutto, and perhaps a sprinkle of lemon zest before eating. This way, you get the best of both worlds!
Oven/Toaster Oven: The best method for reheating pizza to maintain a crispy crust is usually an oven or toaster oven at around 350-375°F (175-190°C) for 5-10 minutes.
Skillet: For an extra crispy bottom crust, place a slice in a dry, non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Cover with a lid (or foil) for a few minutes to melt the cheese, then uncover for a minute or two to crisp the bottom.

What To Serve With Your Prosciutto Arugula Pizza

To transform your arugula and prosciutto pizza into a complete and satisfying meal, consider pairing it with these complementary recipes:

Caesar Pasta Salad: A creamy, tangy pasta salad that offers a refreshing contrast.

Prosciutto Pasta: If you can’t get enough prosciutto, this pasta dish doubles down on the savory goodness.

Really Good Freekeh Salad: A wholesome and hearty grain salad that adds texture and nutrition.

Tomato Mozzarella Salad: A simple, fresh salad featuring juicy tomatoes and soft mozzarella.

Mixed Greens with Citrus Salad Dressing from Foxes Love Lemons: A light and bright green salad to cut through the richness of the pizza.