Garlic White Pizza Recipe
If you’re a fan of pizza but craving something a little different, I’m excited to share this Garlic White Pizza Recipe that truly steals the show! Instead of the typical red sauce, this pizza features a luscious, garlicky white sauce that’s creamy, cheesy, and just downright addictive. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll keep coming back for more — and it’s easier to make than you might think.
Why This Recipe Works
- Rich Garlic Sauce: The creamy butter-flour roux sauce loaded with garlic adds deep flavor without overpowering.
- Perfect Cheese Blend: Mozzarella’s gooey melt and parmesan’s sharpness balance each other beautifully.
- Simple Yet Flavorful: Minimal ingredients, but each plays a vital role in creating something memorable.
- Quick and Easy: You can knock it out in about 20 minutes, even on a busy weeknight.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Garlic White Pizza Recipe relies on classic staples that come together in harmony. The key is a smooth homemade garlic sauce — think creamy béchamel with garlic kick — which makes this pizza stand out from typical tomato-based pies.
- Butter: Forms the base of the sauce and adds rich, velvety texture.
- All-purpose flour: Thickens the sauce perfectly without clumps when whisked properly.
- Whole milk: Provides a creamy body to the garlic sauce.
- Garlic: The hero flavor here, finely chopped fresh garlic brings the punch you’re craving.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds salty, nutty depth both in the sauce and on top.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully and makes the pizza irresistibly gooey.
- Italian seasoning: Sprinkled on the crust for a subtle herbaceous note.
- Olive oil: Brushes the crust, helping it crisp up with a golden finish.
- Basil: Fresh chiffonade on top cuts through richness and adds freshness.
- Pizza crust: Homemade or store-bought, it’s the sturdy canvas for all these delicious toppings.
Tweak to Your Taste
One of the things I love about this Garlic White Pizza Recipe is how flexible it is. Feel free to make it your own by adjusting the garlic level or swapping in your favorite cheeses — it’s all about what you enjoy!
- More garlic: If you’re a garlic lover like me, you can double the garlic in the sauce, just be sure to cook it gently so it doesn’t turn bitter.
- Cheese swaps: Try adding a sprinkle of goat cheese or fontina for extra richness and tang.
- Spicy kick: Add crushed red pepper flakes before baking for a little heat that pairs wonderfully with the creaminess.
- Gluten-free crust: I’ve swapped in gluten-free crusts with great results — just watch baking time.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic White Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Whip Up That Garlic White Sauce
Start by melting butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. When it’s bubbling gently, whisk in the flour and keep whisking for about 2 minutes — patience here is key to avoid browning, which can mess with the flavor. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens, gets smooth, and bubbles up, about 3-5 minutes. Then stir in salt, pepper, and finely chopped garlic. Add freshly grated parmesan last, stirring till just melted, then remove from heat. Tip: Let this cool down before spreading on your pizza so it doesn’t make the dough soggy.
Step 2: Prep Your Crust Like a Pro
Preheat your oven to 450ºF — trust me, a hot oven gives you that perfect crisp crust. Roll out your dough onto a 12-14 inch pizza pan or baking sheet. Brush the surface lightly with olive oil and sprinkle Italian seasoning evenly over the crust. This step adds subtle aroma and flavor to every bite.
Step 3: Layer the Goodness
Spread a generous layer of your cooled garlic white sauce all over the crust, making sure to leave just a bit of the edge uncovered for a nice crust border. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and then parm cheese evenly on top. Don’t be shy here — I like a good amount of cheese because that melty, cheesy factor is what’s going to keep you coming back for more.
Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Gooey
Bake the pizza for around 10-12 minutes in your hot oven. Keep an eye on that crust — it should be golden and crisp, and the cheese bubbling and slightly browned in spots. If you like it extra crispy on the bottom, try a quick preheat of your baking stone or pan before placing the pizza down.
Step 5: Fresh Basil Finish
Right after it’s out of the oven, scatter fresh basil chiffonade over your pizza. The warmth releases basil’s fragrant oils without turning it bitter, giving each bite a fresh pop to cut through the creamy richness. Slice it up and dive in!
Pro Tips for Making Garlic White Pizza Recipe
- Keep the roux pale: Whisk that flour and butter mixture without browning — it keeps the sauce silky smooth and light in flavor.
- Let sauce cool before spreading: Helps avoid a soggy crust and keeps your pizza perfectly crisp.
- Fresh herbs last: Add basil after baking so you get that vibrant color and fresh taste.
- Use a hot oven: High heat crisps the crust and melts cheese perfectly — preheat your oven well for best results.
How to Serve Garlic White Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
I always top mine with fresh basil chiffonade — nothing beats that aromatic pop against the creamy garlic sauce. Sometimes, I add a drizzle of good quality extra virgin olive oil right before serving for an extra silky finish. If I’m feeling fancy, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or cracked black pepper adds a nice kick.
Side Dishes
I like to keep it simple with a crisp green salad tossed in tangy vinaigrette to contrast the richness of the pizza, or roasted seasonal veggies like asparagus or Brussels sprouts for a warm, earthy side. It balances the meal without stealing the spotlight.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party, I’ve sliced the pizza into long rectangular strips—kind of like fancy breadsticks to share easily. Another time, I folded slices in half like pizza pockets for a fun, kid-friendly twist. Using a wooden pizza peel or serving on a rustic board adds charm for family gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I’ve found storing leftovers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container works best to keep that sauce from drying out. The pizza stays surprisingly good for up to 3 days in the fridge.
Freezing
If I want to save some for later, I freeze the unbaked pizza after assembling it on a baking sheet, then wrap it well in plastic wrap and foil. When ready, bake straight from frozen — just add a few extra minutes to cook time. That way, you always have pizza on standby for busy nights.
Reheating
To keep the crust crisp, I reheat slices in a hot skillet over medium heat for a few minutes, covering loosely with a lid to warm the cheese thoroughly. You can also pop it in a hot oven around 375ºF for 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwaving, or you’ll end up with a chewy crust and rubbery cheese.
FAQs
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Can I make the garlic white sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! The garlic white sauce can be made up to 5 days in advance and kept covered in the refrigerator. Just warm it gently before spreading it on your pizza crust for best results.
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What type of pizza crust works best for this recipe?
Both homemade and store-bought dough work well. I particularly like a medium-thick crust so it holds all that creamy sauce without getting soggy. You can also use a pre-baked crust if short on time.
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Can I use jarred minced garlic instead of fresh?
Yes, jarred minced garlic is a handy shortcut. Use about 3 teaspoons to match the fresh garlic flavor. Just make sure it’s good quality and doesn’t have preservatives that can affect the sauce taste.
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Is this Garlic White Pizza Recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Definitely! All the ingredients are vegetarian-friendly. Just double-check your crust and cheese if you’re very strict, as some cheeses contain animal rennet.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic White Pizza Recipe is one of those gems I keep coming back to when I want a comforting yet slightly different pizza night. The silky garlic sauce is a real crowd-pleaser, and it’s so satisfying to know you made it from scratch without any tough steps. Whether it’s a solo treat or something to share with friends, this pizza hits all the right notes — creamy, cheesy, garlicky, and definitely delicious. Give it a try, and prepare to have a new favorite pizza in your regular rotation!
Print
Garlic White Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delicious and creamy white pizza featuring a homemade garlic pizza sauce, topped with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, Italian seasoning, and fresh basil. Perfectly baked to achieve a golden crust and melted cheese for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Garlic Pizza Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1¼ cup whole milk
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, very finely chopped (or 3 teaspoons jarred minced garlic)
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Pizza Ingredients:
- 1 homemade or store-bought pizza crust (12-14 inch)
- 8 oz low moisture mozzarella cheese, grated
- ½ cup garlic pizza sauce (from above recipe)
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoon fresh basil, chiffonade
Instructions
- Make Garlic Pizza Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and continue whisking for about 2 minutes without browning to create a roux.
- Add Milk: Slowly whisk in the whole milk, continuing to whisk until the mixture becomes smooth, thick, and bubbly, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Season and Add Garlic: Stir in sea salt, black pepper, and the finely chopped garlic. Whisk to combine thoroughly.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Stir in grated parmesan cheese and whisk until just melted. Remove the sauce from heat and allow it to cool before use, or cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Prepare Oven and Crust: Preheat the oven to 450ºF. Roll out your pizza crust onto a 12-14 inch pizza pan or rectangular baking sheet if preferred.
- Season the Crust: Brush the crust evenly with olive oil and sprinkle Italian seasoning over the surface for flavor.
- Assemble the Pizza: Spread the prepared garlic pizza sauce evenly over the crust. Top with grated mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the pizza in the oven and bake for 12 minutes until the crust is cooked through and the cheeses are melted and bubbly.
- Add Garnish: Remove from oven and sprinkle fresh basil chiffonade on top before serving.
Notes
- You can use a rectangular baking sheet as an alternative to a pizza pan and cut slices into squares or breadstick shapes.
- Serve this white pizza with a side salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
- The garlic pizza sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Use freshly grated parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
- Ensure not to brown the roux when whisking flour and butter to maintain a smooth sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
