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White Garlic Pizza Sauce (Creamy, Flavorful & Easy to Make!)

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Are you tired of the same old tomato sauce on your pizza night after night? Sometimes, you just need something different—a base that’s rich, creamy, and bursting with savory flavor to truly elevate your homemade pies. What if you could whip up a restaurant-quality white sauce in the same time it takes to preheat your oven?

This White Garlic Pizza Sauce is your answer. It’s a luscious, velvety alternative to traditional red sauce, combining the richness of heavy cream and Parmesan with the aromatic punch of garlic and herbs. This easy, 10-minute recipe transforms a simple pizza into a gourmet experience. It’s perfect for topping with chicken, spinach, artichokes, or just extra cheese for the ultimate white pizza. Get ready to discover your new favorite pizza base!

Ingredients

This sauce relies on a few high-quality dairy ingredients to create its signature creamy texture and rich taste.

IngredientAmount/QuantityNotes
Unsalted Butter2 tbspUse salted if that’s what you have; adjust salt later
Garlic Cloves, minced3Fresh garlic is best for flavor
Heavy Cream1 cupProvides the rich, creamy base
Grated Parmesan Cheese½ cupFreshly grated melts smoothest
Cream Cheese (Optional)2 tbspAdds thickness and extra creaminess
Italian Seasoning½ tspOr a mix of dried oregano, basil, thyme
Salt and PepperTo taste
Fresh Parsley, chopped (Optional)1 tspFor garnish and fresh color

Timing

This sauce comes together incredibly fast, making it perfect for a quick weeknight meal.

  • Preparation Time: 5 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: Approximately 10 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create a smooth, flavorful white sauce that’s ready for your pizza dough.

Step 1: Sauté the Garlic

Place a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt completely. Once melted and slightly bubbly, add the minced garlic. Cook for 30–45 seconds, stirring constantly, just until the garlic is fragrant.

  • Actionable Tip: Be very careful not to burn the garlic! It can turn bitter in seconds. As soon as you smell that wonderful garlic aroma, move to the next step.

Step 2: Create the Cream Base

Pour in the heavy cream slowly while whisking gently. Continue to whisk until the butter and cream are fully combined and the mixture is smooth.

  • Actionable Tip: Using heavy cream instead of milk ensures a rich sauce that thickens naturally without needing a flour roux, making it gluten-free friendly!

Step 3: Add Cheeses and Seasoning

Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and the optional cream cheese. Stir continuously until both cheeses have melted completely into the sauce. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

  • Actionable Tip: If using cream cheese, make sure it’s softened or cut into small pieces so it melts quickly and evenly into the hot cream.

Step 4: Simmer and Thicken

Let the sauce simmer gently for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally. It will bubble and thicken slightly. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but still pourable.

  • Actionable Tip: Remember that the sauce will thicken more as it cools. Don’t over-simmer it, or it might become too thick to spread easily on your dough.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley if using. Let the sauce cool for about 5-10 minutes before spreading it onto your pizza dough. This prevents the dough from getting soggy.

Nutritional Information

This is an estimate for one serving (about 2 tablespoons), assuming the recipe yields roughly 1 cup of sauce.

  • Calories: Approx. 100-120 kcal
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 2 g
  • Fat: 10-12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7-8 g
  • Calcium: 80 mg

Note: This is a rich, indulgent sauce, so a little goes a long way!

Healthier Alternatives

While this is a decadent sauce, you can make a few adjustments:

  • Lighter Dairy: Substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream. The sauce will be less rich and slightly thinner. You may need to simmer it a bit longer or add a tiny pinch of cornstarch to thicken.
  • Cheese Choice: Use a reduced-fat cream cheese or omit it entirely.
  • Add Veggies: While not changing the sauce itself, loading your white pizza with vegetables like spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, and mushrooms balances the richness of the sauce.

Serving Suggestions

This versatile White Garlic Pizza Sauce pairs beautifully with a variety of toppings.

  • Classic White Pizza: Top with mozzarella, more Parmesan, and dollops of ricotta cheese.
  • Chicken Alfredo Style: Add grilled chicken strips, spinach, and bacon bits.
  • Veggie Delight: Top with artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil.
  • Dipping Sauce: It’s also fantastic as a dipping sauce for breadsticks or garlic knots!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

For the smoothest sauce, avoid these common pitfalls:

  • Burning the Garlic: As mentioned, burnt garlic ruins the flavor. Solution: Keep the heat medium and watch it closely; it takes less than a minute.
  • Boiling the Sauce: High heat can cause the dairy to separate or curdle. Solution: Keep the heat at a gentle simmer (medium-low) once the cream is added.
  • Using Pre-Grated Parmesan: Bagged grated cheese often has anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Solution: Grate your own Parmesan from a block for the silkiest texture.
  • Spreading Hot Sauce: Putting boiling hot sauce on raw dough can make it gummy. Solution: Let the sauce cool until it’s warm but not hot before spreading.

Storing Tips

This sauce stores surprisingly well!

  • Refrigerate: Let the sauce cool completely, then transfer to an airtight jar or container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It will thicken significantly when cold.
  • Reheat: To use leftover sauce, gently reheat it in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of milk or water to loosen it up if needed.
  • Freeze: You can freeze this sauce for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently, whisking well to bring the emulsion back together.

Conclusion

This White Garlic Pizza Sauce is the easiest way to upgrade your homemade pizza night. It’s rich, creamy, packed with garlic flavor, and takes only 10 minutes to make from scratch. Whether you’re making a classic white pie or getting creative with toppings, this sauce is the perfect, flavorful canvas. Ditch the jar and try this homemade version—you won’t regret it!

Ready to make the best white pizza ever? Give this recipe a try and let us know what toppings you chose in the comments below! We love hearing your creative ideas. Don’t forget to rate the recipe and subscribe for more easy and delicious sauce recipes!

FAQs

Q1: Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?

You can, but you will need to make a roux first (melt butter, whisk in flour, cook for a minute) before adding the milk to get it to thicken. Simply using milk without a thickener will result in a very thin, watery sauce that will make your pizza soggy.

Q2: Can I add other herbs?

Absolutely! Fresh basil, thyme, or rosemary would all be delicious additions. Add fresh herbs at the very end (Step 5) to preserve their flavor. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.

Q3: Is this sauce gluten-free?

Yes! As written, this recipe uses no flour or thickeners containing gluten, relying on the reduction of heavy cream and cheese for thickness. Just ensure your spices and other ingredients are certified gluten-free if you have a severe allergy.

Q4: How much pizza does this cover?

This recipe yields about 1 to 1.25 cups of sauce, which is enough to generously cover two 12-inch pizzas or one large 16-inch pizza, depending on how saucy you like it.

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White Garlic Pizza Sauce (Creamy, Flavorful & Easy to Make!)


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  • Author: Evelyn Marcella Rivera
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: Approx. 1 cup (Enough for 2 medium pizzas)
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This sauce relies on a few high-quality dairy ingredients to create its signature creamy texture and rich taste. It’s a smooth, flavorful white sauce that comes together incredibly fast, making it perfect for a quick weeknight meal.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter
  • 3 Garlic Cloves, minced
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 2 tbsp Cream Cheese (Optional, for thickness)
  • 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
  • To taste Salt and Pepper
  • 1 tsp Fresh Parsley, chopped (Optional)

Instructions

  1. Sauté the Garlic: Place a medium saucepan over medium heat. Melt the butter completely. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30–45 seconds, stirring constantly, just until fragrant. Do not burn.

  2. Create the Cream Base: Pour in the heavy cream slowly while whisking gently. Whisk until the butter and cream are fully combined and smooth.

  3. Add Cheeses and Seasoning: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the grated Parmesan and optional cream cheese. Stir continuously until cheeses are melted. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

  4. Simmer and Thicken: Let the sauce simmer gently for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally. It should bubble and thicken enough to coat the back of a spoon.

  5. Finish and Serve: Remove from heat. Stir in fresh parsley if using. Let the sauce cool for 5-10 minutes before spreading onto pizza dough to prevent sogginess.

Notes

  • Watch the Garlic: Be very careful not to burn the garlic! As soon as you smell that wonderful aroma, move to the next step.
  • Gluten-Free: Using heavy cream instead of milk ensures a rich sauce that thickens naturally without needing a flour roux.
  • Cooling is Key: Remember that the sauce will thicken more as it cools. Let it cool before using so it spreads easily and doesn’t make the dough soggy.
  • Cream Cheese Tip: If using cream cheese, make sure it’s softened or cut into small pieces so it melts evenly.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Sauce, Pizza
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
  • Calories: 110 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 2 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 35 mg
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