This garlic white pizza sauce is full of creamy, garlic flavor and is impossibly easy to make! Perfect white sauce for pizza night. Top it with spinach and artichoke (or your fave toppings!). Better than Papa Murphy’s creamy white garlic pizza sauce recipe, if I don’t say so myself!
If you are looking for traditional pizza sauce, try this BEST pizza sauce recipe.
Mmmmm, nothing but creamy, garlic goodness on top of a perfect pizza crust!
The most important part of making a good gourmet pizza is finding the right sauce. And this is the right sauce! (full recipe for the sauce at the end of the post).
What are the ingredients for white pizza sauce?
Nothing but simple ingredients easy to find in your pantry or fridge.
- Olive oil. You can use butter, if you like, for a richer flavor.
- Garlic. I’ve taken the time to make roasted garlic for this and it is delicious but not necessary.
- oregano
- salt & pepper
- Flour. Use all purpose flour or gluten-free flour. Both work great.
- Heavy cream, half & half, or milk ( I have successfully used cashew milk)
- optional, herbs. I like to use fresh herbs in this as often as I can but dried spices work great and the recipe is written with that in mind. Basil and oregano work the best, I think.
White Pizza Variations to try:
- Herb-Infused: Add a mixture of Italian herbs like basil, thyme, and rosemary for a fragrant, herbaceous twist.
- Spicy Kick: Incorporate red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to give the sauce a spicy edge, perfect for those who enjoy a little heat.
- Cheesy Delight: Stir in grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese at the end of cooking for an extra cheesy flavor.
- Creamy Mushroom: Sauté sliced mushrooms in the olive oil before adding the garlic, creating a rich and earthy mushroom white sauce.
- Roasted Garlic Version: Instead of using raw minced garlic, use roasted garlic for a sweeter, more mellow garlic flavor. This variation is great for a more subtle garlic presence.
How to make White Pizza Sauce:
- In a skillet on medium-high heat, heat the olive oil.
- Add the minced garlic and heat for about 3 minutes, until fragrant.
- Add the flour (start with 2 tablespoons), oregano, pepper, and salt. Whisk well.
- Add the half & half all at once, whisking constantly. Cook and stir until the mixture is bubbly and thickened, which usually takes about 3 minutes
Storage:
- Refrigeration: Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the sauce. Freeze it in ice cube trays for easy portioning, or in a freezer-safe container.
Shelf Life:
- Refrigerator: The sauce should last for about 3-5 days when stored properly in the refrigerator.
- Freezer: In the freezer, it can last for up to 2-3 months.
Always check for signs of spoilage like off-smells or mold before using, especially if the sauce has been stored for a while. Remember to thaw frozen sauce in the refrigerator before using it.
What is the difference between red and white pizza?
- Red Pizza: Think of your classic pizza – it’s got a bright, tangy tomato sauce on top, then covered with gooey mozzarella cheese and maybe some pepperoni or veggies. The tomato sauce is what gives it the red look and a zesty flavor.
- White Pizza: Now, this one’s a bit different. It skips the tomato sauce and goes for something creamy instead, like a garlicky white sauce or ricotta cheese. It’s topped off with cheese and sometimes other toppings like spinach or mushrooms. White pizza is all about that smooth, rich taste.
In short, red pizza is your go-to for a classic, tomato-y flavor, and white pizza is for when you’re in the mood for something creamy and indulgent!
Don’t miss my cast iron deep dish pizza….SOO great. Try swapping the red sauce for this white sauce!
To use this recipe for a white sauce pizza:
After you finish mixing the sauce, you simply added it to a pizza crust and then put on your normal pizza toppings. The type of pizza crust doesn’t matter.
Cook your pizza according to the directions on your crust. If you prefer a super crispy crust try baking the crust for 4-5 minutes before adding your topping.
It is a rare evening that I’ll find enough time to make a pizza dough from scratch. I love them but usually pull out a Trader Joe’s dough or even a roll-out version. Honestly, they are all good.
Can I make this white pizza sauce dairy-free?
- Use Dairy-Free Milk Alternatives: Instead of regular milk, opt for plant-based milk like almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk. Each has a unique flavor and consistency, so choose one that suits your taste preferences. Unsweetened and unflavored versions work best.
- Dairy-Free Cheese Substitutes: Many dairy-free cheese alternatives are available in the market. Look for dairy-free mozzarella or cream cheese alternatives that melt well. Nutritional yeast can also be used to add a cheesy flavor without dairy.
- Cashew Cream: Soak cashews and blend them with water to create a creamy, rich base for your sauce. This nut-based cream adds a smooth texture and a subtle, nutty flavor to the sauce.
- Thickening the Sauce: Since dairy-free milk tends to be less creamy, you might need a thickening agent. Use flour as you would in a regular roux, or consider arrowroot powder or cornstarch as gluten-free alternatives.
- Flavor Enhancements: To compensate for the flavor change due to the absence of dairy, consider enhancing your sauce with additional spices and herbs. Garlic, onion powder, and a pinch of mustard powder can add depth to the flavor.
- Tofu as a Base: Silken tofu can be blended to create a creamy, smooth base for your sauce. It’s a neutral-tasting ingredient that absorbs the flavors of garlic and other seasonings well.
- Experiment with Cream Alternatives: There are various dairy-free cream alternatives made from soy, almonds, or oats. These can be used to add creaminess to the sauce.
- Avoid Strong Plant Flavors: Some plant-based milk like hemp or quinoa milk can have strong, distinct flavors that might overpower the garlic flavor. Choose milder alternatives.
- Adjust Consistency: Dairy-free sauces might require adjustments in consistency. Be prepared to add a bit more flour or liquid to achieve the desired thickness.
- Taste and Adjust: Dairy-free alternatives can vary significantly in flavor from their dairy counterparts. Taste your sauce as you go and adjust the seasonings accordingly.
What is it called white pizza?
White pizza gets its name because it skips the usual red tomato sauce you find on most pizzas. Instead, it uses sauces that are white or creamy, like a garlic sauce or ricotta cheese. That, along with plenty of cheese on top, makes the pizza look white.
It’s a fun change from the usual pizza and gives you a whole different taste to enjoy!
Hello, glorious pizza! No need to go anywhere or get something delivered. Not when you can make something that looks this good with so little effort.
Some other ideas for white pizza toppings:
- roasted potato and rosemary
- prosciutto and arugula
- spinach and mushroom
- sausage, caramelized onions and arugula
- bacon, artichokes and balsamic
Note: amp up this sauce by adding a cup of Parmesan cheese at the very end.
Garlic White Pizza Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2-3 tablespoons flour
- 1 1/2 cups half & half milk works fine, too
Instructions
- In a skillet on medium-high heat, heat oil.
- Add the garlic and heat for about 3 minutes, until fragrant.
- Add the flour (start with 2 tablespoons), oregano, pepper, and salt. Whisk well.
- Add the half & half all at once, whisking constantly. Cook and stir until bubbly and until thickened (usually about 3 minutes)
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe Tester Melanie says…
Delicious! We made it a pizza night and did “traditional” red sauce, white sauce, and pesto and both of the new additions were a hit! We used it to make flatbread pizzas and my son chose bacon, grilled chicken, mozzarella, and grated Parmesan and it all worked together perfectly.
If you are looking for more pizza ideas…
Pizza Crust recipes x 5 (gluten-free, cauliflower, yeast, no-yeast, and whole-wheat)
Enjoyed this sauce a lot. Great flavor. I love low sodium so I didn’t add any salt to the recipe. I only halved it this time because I was the only one eating it this time. Added a bit of no salt butter as well with the olive oil. Didn’t have fresh garlic so used jarred minced, but will use fresh next time. Thanks for a great recipe.
You sure can! I prefer cashew milk, if you have it.
can you use almond milk instead of milk
This sauce was perfect! I had been looking for a low calorie alfredo pizza sauce and this is the best. So easy and the taste is exceptional! I read your list of things that could be used as substitutes and I did use butter instead of olive oil and then milk instead of the half and half just so cut down on the calories and it was fantastic. I will be using this one quite a bit! Thank you so much!
I made the white sauce for the pizza the other night and we loved it! IT was the best white sauce I have had in years and I have been around for a long time!! I did not have the dried oregano so I used the Herbs from Provence and it was delicious! I will never go back to the tomato base pizza!
Thank you!
Awesome sauce. I topped my pizza with cooked chicken and caramelized onions and cheese. It was delicious!
This was the first recipe I googled and it was excellent on our pizza last night. Super easy to make and it did not disappoint with the garlic flavor.
We left out the salt because we were using it as the base for pizza, which worked out well. It would definitely need the salt if the sauce wasn’t getting covered in cheese and pepperoni. :)
I made your white pizza sauce last night. Yum! I made a shrimp, mushroom and bacon pizza. Sounds strange but It was delicious! Thank you!
That comment made my day!! So glad you got your 4 year old to enjoy pizza. That seems like a rite of passage :).
The only pizza sauce my 4 year old will eat. It’s so simple and delish! Many thanks for the recipe and making family pizza night so much better!
Of course! It’s a handy little recipe!
I love the garlic white pizza sauce! Thanks
That’s a great use of this sauce and I will need to give that a try. I find this sauce to be super versatile and use it for sooo many things. But enchilada’s I haven’t tried. Thanks for the idea!
I used this garlic sauce for a cauliflower crust pizza and it was delicious!
I made chicken and cheese enchiladas last night and didn’t have enough green enchilada sause so used some of this sauce and they were soooo good!
Thank you for the recipe @miznelliebellie!!
Pam
This was really good and simple! I used whole milk and did have to add extra flour/water to thicken it. I added to my homemade pizza dough and topped with fresh mozzarella, banana peppers and spinach. Yum!
I’m so glad to hear that!! The topping sounds wonderful.
Tried this tonight and it was delicious! I placed on a thin pizza
crust, topped it with sliced onions and tomatoes then sprinkled with mozzarella. Baked for 12 minutes We loved it!
Chicken, artichoke, mozzarella cheese, and garlic sauce. Thanks…it’s tasty and I should probably share that recipe soon!
What did you add to your pizza that is all white. Top picture on the blog post. It looks very good.
Your garlic pizza sauce recipe was delicious. The flour & water mixture is called a “slurry”.
I haven’t tried freezing it. I would imagine it would freeze fine but need a good stirring before using it. I keep it in the fridge for about a week.
Does this freeze? Or how long does it keep n the fridge. One batch makes more than I need, I don’t want to make pizza again this week and since I made it thick, so my flatbreads didn’t absorb too much of it, so it’s not really good for much else.
Great!
We appreciate your sacrifice…
OK, I love pizza, love garlic, and love my alfredo sauce, which is similar. So I will be a sport and make your sauce and devour a pizza just for you. Pinned.
That looks delicious!