Rustic Potato and Ricotta Pizza

The rustic potato and ricotta pizza is a hearty and flavorful dish, perfect both as an appetizer and as a main course. Here is how to prepare it with a true Italian touch.

Ingredients

• 1 kg of potatoes
• 300 g of ricotta
• 150 g of grated cheese (Parmesan or pecorino)
• 200 g of provolone or mozzarella
• 100 g of salami or cooked ham (optional)
• 3 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Butter or olive oil to grease the pan
• Breadcrumbs to dust the pan
• Chopped parsley (optional)
• Nutmeg (optional)

Preparation

1. Start by boiling the potatoes in plenty of salted water until they are soft but not falling apart. Once ready, drain, peel, and mash them with a potato masher or a fork until you have a puree.

2. In a large bowl, mix the potato puree with ricotta, grated cheese, eggs, salt, and pepper. To enrich the flavor, you could add some chopped parsley and a grating of nutmeg.

3. Cut the provolone or mozzarella and the salami or cooked ham into cubes, then fold them into the potato and ricotta mixture.

4. Take a round baking dish and grease it with butter or olive oil, then dust the bottom and sides with breadcrumbs.

5. Pour the mixture into the prepared dish and level it well with a spatula or the back of a spoon.

6. If desired, you can sprinkle the surface with breadcrumbs and dots of butter to obtain a crunchier and golden crust.

7. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 45-50 minutes, or until the surface is well browned.

8. Once cooked, let the rustic potato and ricotta pizza rest for a few minutes before cutting and serving it.

Did you know?

The rustic potato and ricotta pizza can be customized in many ways, according to tastes and local traditions. In Italian regions, for example, there is a variant that includes pork ribs or crumbled sausages, enriching the flavor even more. Moreover, rustic pizza lends itself very well to being prepared in advance and enjoyed cold, making it ideal for picnics or as a packed lunch.