If you’re craving pizza this week, this easy white pizza recipe with Alfredo, Pesto Herb Oil, and fresh veggies is a must-try. Completely customizable and simple to make, this homemade pizza will have you skipping takeout for good. Whether you use homemade dough or store-bought, this recipe delivers a pizzeria-style experience at home in no time.
The Perfect Homemade Pizza Experience
There’s nothing quite like making your own pizza at home, and this White Pizza with Alfredo and Pesto Herb Oil proves why. With a crispy, golden crust and layers of creamy, garlicky flavor, it’s a delicious alternative to traditional tomato-based pies. The best part? It’s fully customizable, so you can add your favorite toppings and make it your own.
You can make restaurant-quality pizza at home with the right dough, and it's easier than you think. My go-to Master Dough Recipe is simple to prepare, just mix the ingredients, let it rest overnight in the fridge, and you’ll have dough ready to bake the next day. Prefer to plan ahead? This dough freezes beautifully, meaning homemade pizza is always just a thaw away.
For the ultimate crisp, I always recommend using a baking steel. It retains heat better than a pizza stone or baking tiles, ensuring an evenly baked crust that’s crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. If you don’t have one, a preheated cookie sheet will work as an alternative.
The Art of Pizza-Making
Pizza-making is more than just assembling ingredients—it’s a centuries-old craft with deep Italian roots. In Italy, skilled pizza makers, known as pizzaiolo/pizzaiola, have perfected the balance of dough, sauce, and toppings for generations.
This tradition dates back to 18th-century Naples, where street vendors and bakers created the first versions of pizza as a quick, flavorful meal for the working class. Today, whether you’re following classic techniques or experimenting with modern flavors, making pizza at home allows you to embrace this rich history.
With the right dough, a flavorful sauce, and finishing touches like Pesto Herb Oil, you can elevate homemade pizza into a true culinary art.
The Secret to a Perfect Pizza Crust
The key to an incredible homemade pizza starts with the right dough. My go-to Master Dough Recipe is simple—just mix, let it rest overnight in the fridge, and you’ll have dough ready to bake the next day. You can even freeze portions, so homemade pizza is always within reach.
For baking, I swear by my baking steel. This tool retains heat better than a pizza stone or baking tiles, giving you a crispier, more evenly baked crust. If you don’t have one, a preheated cookie sheet will work in a pinch.
Why You’ll Love This White Pizza
Unlike traditional red sauce pizzas, this version swaps marinara for a creamy Alfredo base, drizzled with Pesto Herb Oil for extra flavor. The mix of Fontina, Mozzarella, and Parmesan creates a melty, gooey, golden topping that pairs perfectly with your favorite veggies. Whether you choose red onions, artichoke hearts, or something else, this easy homemade pizza is a flavor-packed delight.
Ingredients
- Pizza dough
- Alfredo sauce
- Pesto herb oil
- Fontina cheese, shredded
- Mozzarella cheese, part-skim, freshly shredded
- Parmesan cheese, grated, shredded, or pearled
- Veggies of your choice (e.g., sliced red onion, artichoke hearts)
- Fresh basil (optional, for topping)
- Cornmeal or flour
Equipment
- Baking Steel or Cookie Sheet – Preheats in the oven and serves as the surface for baking your pizza. A baking steel provides superior heat retention for a crispier crust, but a cookie sheet works as an alternative.
- Parchment Paper (Optional) – Helps prevent sticking and makes transferring the pizza easier. Use it for the first half of baking, then remove it to allow the crust to crisp directly on the steel or sheet.
- Skip the Parchment (Experts) – If you’re experienced, place the pizza directly on the steel for an even crispier bottom.
- Pizza Peel, Thin Cutting Board, or Spare Cookie Sheet – A flat, sturdy surface to slide your pizza into the oven smoothly. A pizza peel is ideal, but any heat-safe alternative will work.
Using High Heat for Pizza Making
If you’re comfortable, crank your oven up to 500°F for a more authentic pizzeria-style bake. The intense heat helps replicate the effect of a traditional wood-fired oven, creating a beautifully blistered crust with a crisp bottom and chewy interior. High heat also speeds up the baking process, ensuring your toppings don’t overcook while the crust reaches the perfect texture. Just be sure to keep an eye on your pizza to prevent burning, and always preheat your baking steel or sheet for the best results.
Pizza Steel vs. Pizza Peel: What’s the Difference?
If you’re serious about making pizzeria-quality pizza at home, understanding the difference between a pizza steel and a pizza peel is key. A pizza steel is a game-changer for achieving that perfectly crisp, golden crust, it’s a thick, heat-retaining slab that sits in your oven, mimicking the intense heat of a brick oven. When you bake pizza directly on a hot steel, it cooks faster and more evenly, giving you that deliciously crispy bottom.
To get your pizza onto that scorching surface without a mess, you’ll need a pizza peel. This flat, paddle-like tool lets you effortlessly slide your pizza in and out of the oven, preventing any dough disasters along the way. While the pizza steel takes your bake to the next level, the pizza peel makes the process smooth and stress-free—together, they’re the ultimate duo for homemade pizza success!
Customize this White Pizza Your Way
This White Pizza is endlessly customizable, so you can make it exactly how you like! Use your favorite dough—store-bought or homemade—and experiment with different cheeses like Gouda or Ricotta for a unique twist. Fresh herbs and a balsamic drizzle can add even more depth of flavor.
Make it your own!
One of the best things about this recipe? You can customize it to suit your taste. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Cheese Options: Mozzarella, ricotta, gouda, or even blue cheese crumbles for a bold kick.
- Herbs & Spices: Fresh basil, oregano, or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Drizzles & Toppings: A balsamic glaze, honey, or even truffle oil can take it to the next level.
Sauce & Cheese Substitutions
One of the best things about this homemade white pizza is how easily you can customize it to fit your taste and pantry staples. If you don’t have, or prefer, Alfredo sauce, try brushing the dough with garlic-infused olive oil for a lighter, more rustic flavor. A spread of ricotta mixed with lemon zest and salt can also create a creamy, tangy base.
For a richer option, a simple homemade béchamel sauce works beautifully. When it comes to cheese, mozzarella and fontina are classic choices, but you can experiment with gouda for a smoky depth, goat cheese for tanginess, or even blue cheese for a bold bite. Just be sure to balance strong cheeses with milder ones for the perfect melt and flavor combination!
Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Yes! Just let it sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before stretching. This helps relax the gluten, making it easier to shape.
Ready to Bake?
Now that you’ve got the tips and inspiration, it’s time to create a White Pizza that’s better than delivery!
Try this recipe and share your favorite toppings in the comments below! Don’t forget to tag [@Bingeworthybites] on social media for a chance to be featured!
White Pizza with Alfredo and Pesto Herb Oil
Equipment
Ingredients
- Pizza dough (homemade or store-bought, about a softball-sized piece)
- ½ cup Alfredo sauce (purchased or pre-made)
- 4 tablespoon Pesto Herb Oil
- ½ cup Fontina cheese shredded
- ½ cup Mozzarella cheese part-skim, freshly shredded
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated, shredded, or pearled
- 1 cup veggies of your choice sliced red onion, artichoke hearts, etc.
- Fresh basil (optional, for topping)
- Cornmeal or flour (for sprinkling on parchment to prevent sticking)
Instructions
Preheat & Prepare for Baking
- Preheat your oven to 450°F. If using a pizza steel, place it in the oven to heat. If you don’t have one, a cookie sheet will work.
- While the oven heats, prepare your pizza.
Prepare the Dough
- Lightly flour a clean surface and gently dimple out the pizza dough into your preferred shape (a rustic shape works well). Don't force it to be larger.
- Let the dough rest for 5 minutes before dimpling again. Repeat the resting and dimpling process until it reaches about 12 inches in diameter.
Setup for Easy Transfer
- Build your pizza directly on a pizza peel (or an alternative surface) to make transferring it to the oven easier.
- If you don’t have a pizza peel, you can use any of the following: an upside-down baking sheet, a thin cutting board, or a flexible cutting mat.
- Once the pizza is assembled, slide it onto the hot pizza steel or baking sheet in the oven.
Optional: Use Parchment for Easy Baking
- Place parchment paper on your pizza peel and dust it with cornmeal or flour.
- Transfer the shaped pizza dough onto the parchment.
- Assemble the pizza as instructed below, then slide the entire parchment sheet onto the pizza steel.
- After 5 minutes of baking, when the edges begin to puff and set, carefully remove the parchment so the pizza can finish crisping directly on the steel.
Assemble the Pizza
- Transfer the shaped dough onto your prepared surface (peel or parchment). Adjust the shape if needed.
- Spread Alfredo sauce evenly over the dough.
- Add half of the cheese (Fontina, Mozzarella, and Parmesan).
- Top with veggies of your choice.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons of Pesto Herb Oil over the toppings (save the remaining 2 tablespoons for after baking).
- Finish with the remaining Fontina and Mozzarella (hold off on the Parmesan until after baking).
Bake the Pizza
- Slide the pizza onto the hot steel or baking sheet in the oven.
- Monitor baking progress (turn on the oven light). At 5 minutes, check for puffing and light browning on the edges.
- Carefully remove the parchment paper to let the pizza crisp up directly on the steel.
- Continue baking for another 8-12 minutes, depending on dough thickness. The crust should be crispy, golden brown, and fully set.
- If the top is browning too quickly but the dough still seems undercooked, tent it with foil to prevent over-browning.
Finish & Serve
- Remove the pizza from the oven.
- Sprinkle on the remaining Parmesan cheese and drizzle the remaining Pesto Herb Oil over the top.
- Slice and serve immediately.
Notes
- Pizza Dough: Use homemade or store-bought dough.
- Alfredo Sauce: Pre-made or store-bought works.
- Toppings: Customize with any veggies or add chicken for extra protein.
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