Garlic White Pizza Recipe
If you’re anything like me, sometimes you crave pizza that’s a little different — something rich, cheesy, and bursting with garlic goodness. Well, this Garlic White Pizza Recipe is exactly that. It’s creamy, savory, and so simple to make at home. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll be hooked on how effortlessly delicious a white pizza can be, and you’ll never look back at traditional red sauce the same way.
Why This Recipe Works
- Rich Garlic Sauce: This creamy garlic sauce is the star, giving every bite a luscious, garlicky punch that’s hard to beat.
- Balanced Cheese Blend: A combo of mozzarella and parmesan ensures melty stretchiness with a sharp, nutty edge.
- Simple Yet Flavorful: With just a handful of ingredients, this recipe easily fits into your weeknight dinner rotation without fuss.
- Customizable Crust: Use store-bought or homemade dough — either works beautifully and keeps things flexible for your schedule.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Garlic White Pizza Recipe plays a key role, so you get that rich flavor and perfect texture every time. The garlic sauce is creamy but not heavy, and the cheese combination melts with a nice balance of sharpness and smoothness. Here’s the inside scoop on the essentials:
- Butter: Melts smoothly and helps create a silky base for the white garlic sauce without overpowering.
- All-purpose flour: Acts as a thickening agent for the sauce, ensuring it’s creamy and coats the pizza beautifully.
- Whole milk: Adds richness and helps the sauce achieve that velvety texture you want.
- Sea salt & black pepper: Elevate the garlic flavor subtly without overshadowing the cheeses.
- Garlic (fresh or jarred minced): The flavor hero—finely chopped garlic infuses the sauce with bright and bold notes.
- Parmesan cheese: Offers a sharp, salty character that enhances the sauce and the pizza’s topping.
- Mozzarella cheese: Gives that classic stretchy melt that makes every white pizza mouthwatering.
- Italian seasoning: A sprinkle adds herbal warmth and aroma for a hint of depth.
- Olive oil: Brushed on the crust to give it a golden edge and keep it from drying out.
- Fresh basil: My favorite finish — adds freshness and a bright pop of color.
Tweak to Your Taste
When I make this Garlic White Pizza Recipe, I love to switch it up depending on what’s in season or what I’m craving. The beauty of a white pizza is how easy it is to personalize — don’t hesitate to make it your own.
- Add veggies: Sometimes I layer on sautéed spinach or roasted mushrooms before the cheese for some extra earthiness.
- Spicy kick: Crushed red pepper flakes on top add a perfect heat balance if you love a little zip.
- Diet-friendly swap: Use a cauliflower crust or a low-moisture part-skim mozzarella to lighten things up without losing flavor.
- Extra garlic: If you’re like me and love garlic, add an extra clove or a drizzle of garlic-infused olive oil after baking.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic White Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Whip up the garlic sauce
Start by melting butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Then add flour and whisk for about 2 minutes — the key here is to cook the flour just enough without browning it, so the sauce stays pale and silky. Next, slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Keep going until the sauce thickens and starts to bubble, about 3 to 5 minutes. Toss in the salt, pepper, and finely chopped garlic, then finish off with freshly grated parmesan. Whisk just until melted and smooth, then set it aside to cool or pop it in the fridge if you’re prepping ahead. This sauce is truly the heart of the recipe — don’t rush it!
Step 2: Prepare your pizza crust
While the sauce cools, preheat your oven to 450ºF (that’s the magic temperature for a golden crust and bubbly cheese). Roll out your pizza dough on a 12 to 14-inch pizza pan. If you’re using store-bought, just give it a light dusting of flour and stretch gently. Next, brush the dough with olive oil — this keeps the crust crisp and adds flavor — then sprinkle with Italian seasoning for a fragrant base layer. This little extra elevates your pizza to restaurant-quality.
Step 3: Assemble and bake
Spread that gorgeous garlic sauce evenly over the crust, leaving a small border for the edges. Next, sprinkle on your mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Pop it into your hot oven for 10 to 12 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on it near the end so it doesn’t over-brown — ovens vary, and you want it perfectly cooked, not burnt.
Step 4: Garnish and enjoy
When your pizza comes out of the oven, sprinkle fresh chiffonade basil over the top. I love how the brightness of basil cuts through the richness of the sauce and cheese. Slice it up and get ready for a serious bite of comfort pizza that feels gourmet but was way simpler than you thought.
Pro Tips for Making Garlic White Pizza Recipe
- Don’t Skip Cooling the Sauce: Hot sauce on the dough can make it soggy. Let the garlic sauce cool before spreading for a crisp crust.
- Fresh Garlic is Worth It: If possible, use fresh garlic— it gives a brighter, fresher punch than jarred versions in this recipe.
- Olive Oil on Crust: Brushing olive oil before seasoning creates a moisture barrier, preventing sogginess and adding golden color.
- Watch Your Oven: Since ovens vary, check pizza at the 10 minute mark to avoid overcooking or drying out your perfect white pie.
How to Serve Garlic White Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
I’m all about fresh basil for that perfect herbal finish on this pizza — it adds a fresh pop and vibrant color. Sometimes I also toss on a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or freshly ground black pepper just before serving, to give each bite a little extra zing and texture.
Side Dishes
Because the pizza itself is so rich, I like to serve it with a crisp green salad — think arugula with lemon vinaigrette or a simple mixed greens salad. Roasted vegetables like asparagus or zucchini are also great sides, adding texture and balance without stealing the spotlight.
Creative Ways to Present
One fun way I’ve served this Garlic White Pizza Recipe is cutting it into long rectangles, almost like cheesy breadsticks, perfect for sharing at a party. You can also layer fresh heirloom tomato slices on top after baking for a summery twist that looks gorgeous and adds a juicy brightness.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover pizza slices in an airtight container in the fridge. They’re best eaten within 2-3 days, and I always recommend reheating carefully to keep that crust crisp and cheese melty.
Freezing
You can freeze this pizza after baking by wrapping slices tightly in aluminum foil and placing them in a freezer bag. When I’ve done this, it keeps well for up to a month. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat with a lid on for a few minutes to warm through without drying out — this method keeps the crust crispy, something the microwave can never do. Sometimes I finish with a quick broil to refresh the cheese’s bubbly goodness.
FAQs
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Can I use store-bought garlic sauce instead of making it?
While you can, I highly recommend making the garlic sauce fresh as described in the recipe. It’s quick, easy, and the flavor is far superior to most store-bought versions, which can be watery or overly salty. The homemade route really makes this pizza stand out.
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What type of cheese works best for this garlic white pizza?
The combination of low-moisture mozzarella and freshly grated parmesan is ideal. Mozzarella provides that stretchy melt, while parmesan adds a sharp, nutty depth. Avoid pre-shredded cheeses with additives, as they don’t melt as well.
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Can I prepare the garlic sauce ahead of time?
Yes! The garlic sauce can be made up to 5 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Just give it a good stir before using it on your pizza. This makes weeknight dinners a breeze.
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How crispy will the crust be with this recipe?
You’ll get a nicely crispy crust if you preheat your oven properly and brush the dough with olive oil before adding the sauce. Keeping the sauce cooled before spreading also prevents sogginess, resulting in a crust that’s perfectly golden and crisp.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic White Pizza Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it satisfies my garlic cravings without feeling heavy or greasy. It’s simple, comforting, and downright addictive. When friends come over, they’re always impressed by how creamy and flavorful a white pizza can be — and honestly, it’s so easy you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it sooner. So go ahead, grab some fresh garlic, roll out that dough, and treat yourself to a slice (or three). You won’t regret it!
Print
Garlic White Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delicious white pizza featuring a creamy homemade garlic pizza sauce topped with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, Italian seasoning, and fresh basil garnish. Perfect for a savory and flavorful twist on traditional pizza.
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 parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Pizza Ingredients:
- 1 pizza crust, homemade or store-bought (12-14 inch)
- 8 oz low moisture mozzarella cheese, grated
- ½ cup garlic pizza sauce (recipe above)
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoon fresh basil, chiffonade
Instructions
- Prepare Garlic 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 cook out the raw flour taste.
- Make Sauce Smooth: Slowly whisk in the whole milk while whisking constantly. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth, thick, and bubbly, about 3-5 minutes.
- Season and Add Garlic: Add the sea salt, black pepper, and finely chopped garlic cloves. Whisk to combine fully.
- Add Parmesan: Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until just melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool before using. You may cover and refrigerate the sauce for up to 5 days if not using immediately.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (230 degrees Celsius).
- Prepare Pizza Crust: Roll out your pizza crust on a 12-14 inch pizza pan or baking sheet. Brush the crust evenly with olive oil and sprinkle Italian seasoning over the surface.
- Assemble Pizza: Spread the cooled garlic sauce evenly over the crust. Sprinkle grated mozzarella cheese and then parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake Pizza: Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 11 minutes, until the crust is cooked through and the cheeses have melted and slightly browned.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove pizza from oven and garnish with fresh basil chiffonade. Slice and serve immediately with optional sides like a fresh salad or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- You can use a rectangular baking sheet instead of a round pizza pan and cut pizza into squares or long rectangles like breadsticks for easy serving.
- Serve with a side salad or roasted vegetables to make a complete meal.
- The garlic sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Use low moisture mozzarella for best melting results and authentic texture.
- Adjust garlic amount to taste if you prefer a milder or stronger garlic flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/4 pizza)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg