Italian White Pizza / Pizza Bianca

Pizza Bianca, is a classic Italian gem, a simple yet irresistible creation that is without the addition of tomatoes whether fresh or sauce. Its name, which means “white pizza,” hints at its distinguishing feature a luscious canvas of golden-brown dough topped with a balanced blend of cheeses, greens, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Whenever I made pizza, ate it in a restaurant or ordered take out it was always red pizza with olives or a classic Margherita. Never white, why? I have no idea! But I soon discovered I was really miss out on something!

This pizza can be made with either homemade pizza dough or store bought. I am including a recipe for two types of white pizza so you choose or why not make them both?!

Recipe Ingredients

Basic White Pizza

• Pizza dough – enough for one crust
• Pancetta
• Mozzarella – firm mozzarella shredded
• Parmesan cheese – flaked parmesan cheese
• Arugula ( if the leaves are large cut in half)
• Olive oil

Quite awhile ago, I was out shopping with my sister-in-law and I noticed her buying arugula and parmesan. At that time I wasn’t really impressed with Rugula/Rocket (arugula) and I asked her what she was planning to do with it. She told me she made pizza with it. We discussed how I had never really used arugula and then she told me about one of the most scrumptious pizzas ever, which I is one I am sharing today.

Ham & Triple Cheese White Pizza

• Pizza dough – enough for one crust
• Mozzarella – fresh small mozzarella thinly sliced
• Provolone cheese
• Parmesan cheese – freshly grated
• Black olives – pitted
• Ham – cooked or roasted ham
• Olive oil

How To Make It

Prepare your pizza dough, whether you are making homemade or store bought.

Basic White Pizza

Place the dough on a pizza pan or even a cookie sheet will work, stretch the dough to form your desired shape, top with pancetta, shredded mozarella cheese and a drizzle of olive oil, and bake.

Remove from the oven, just before serving top with arugula (rocket) and sprinkle with flakes of parmesan. Cut and serve.

Ham & Triple Cheese White Pizza

Place the dough on the prepared pizza pan or even a cookie sheet will work, top with (in this order) sliced mozzarella, shredded provolone, ham strips, halved black olives, parmesan cheese and drizzle with olive oil.

Bake until crust is golden and cheese has melted. Slice and serve.

How To Make Parmesan Flakes

The best way to make flakes it using authentic Parmesan cheese, use a potato peeler to shave or make flakes, add as little or as much as you want on the baked pizza!

What Is The Difference Between Parmigiano Reggiano And Parmesan?

The difference between them is that Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is authentic or DOP (Denominazione di Origine Protetta which means Protected Designation of Origin), and Parmesan cheese is just an imitation of Parmigiano Reggiano. Reggiano is always made in Italy, while Parmesan can be made anywhere, there are no restrictions on using the name Parmesan. And don’t forget a less expensive but also a DOP choice is Parmigiano Grana Padano.

Variations & Substitutions

• Pancetta – you could substitute with Italian sausage or prosciutto
• Arugula – you could substitute with radicchio or even baby spinach
• Provolone cheese – substitute with Fontina, Taleggio, Galbanino or even Gruyere
• Black olives – you could also use green olives or add some minced garlic
• Ham – substitute with prosciutto, sausage or even pancetta

Who Invented Pizza?

It is thought that the Italian baker Raffaele Esposito from Naples was the first to make a “pizza pie”. Although it is also thought that street vendors in Naples would sell flatbreads with toppings for many years before Raffaele.

Apparently the Italian King Umberto I and Queen Margherita visited Naples sometime in 1889. Esposito was asked to make a pizza for them. He proceeded to top the pizza with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil. That pizza was named Pizza Margherita and of course is still extremely popular today.

So What Exactly Is A White Pizza?

One thing I have learned since I’ve been living in Italy is that White Pizza is extremely underrated. There are basically two types of Pizza Bianca here, one with just a drizzle of olive oil and sometimes coarse salt, that is purchased usually as a snack, especially for kids. Or sometimes it is sliced through the centre and stuffed with mortadella (so good). And of course the two types I am sharing today, which is usually served in restaurants.

Different Toppings

Pancetta can be substituted with Italian sausage or even shrimp. You can use fresh or grilled vegetables as your topping as long as you don’t add tomatoes. You can also use a store bought crust but the best way to enjoy pizza is to make your own dough. Pizza dough is one of the easiest yeast doughs to make and so worth it.

How To Store It

Leftover pizza should be wrapped air tight or placed in an airtight container and stored in the fridge. It will last up to 4 days in the fridge. Re-heat in a low oven or microwave. If you know you are going to have leftovers then it might be a good idea to add the arugula before serving as re heating will wilt and dry it up.

How To Freeze White Pizza

It is best to freeze the leftovers sliced pizza on a cookie sheet until firm then move to a freezer safe container or bag. Separate the slices in layers with parchment paper or plastic wrap. It will keep for up to 2 months in the freezer. Again freeze without the greens on top.

More White Pizza Recipes

• Italian Sausage Artichoke Cheese Pizza
• Grilled Zucchini Pizza with Arugula
• Homemade Potato Pizza – Two Ways

Now for every Red Pizza I make I will make 2 White Pizzas, so give it a try, nothing beats a great and tasty White Pizza Recipe. I bet you won’t even miss the sauce. Buon Appetito!

Updated from February 24, 2018.