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This creamy white pizza with garlic is my go-to when I want something indulgent but surprisingly simple to pull together. It ditches tomato sauce for a lush garlic Parmesan base layered under melting mozzarella making it the recipe I run to when I crave cheesy comfort food with a gourmet twist.
I first made this for a weekend movie night and it was gone before the credits even started. My friends now request it whenever we gather for cozy evenings in.
Ingredients
- Pizza dough: homemade or store bought ensures a chewy crust with your favorite texture
- Garlic: freshly minced brings depth and bold flavor choose firm bulbs with tight skin
- Whole milk: gives a velvety sauce and browns beautifully look for milk with the latest use by date for freshest results
- Butter: unsalted provides richness and allows control of salt level pick butter with a clean creamy color
- Flour: plain flour thickens the sauce with a smooth base select unbleached flour for best texture
- Parmesan: finely shredded for sharpness and umami always grate from a block for maximum flavor
- Black pepper: freshly cracked delivers bright heat use a grinder for best aroma
- Sea salt: enhances all the other flavors choose flaky salt for easy seasoning
- Basil: fresh ribbons for a pop of color and herbal lift vibrant green leaves signal freshness
- Italian herb mix: ties everything together with savory notes stock a blend with oregano thyme and rosemary
- Mozzarella: low moisture and freshly grated makes for stretchier gooier melt avoid pre-shredded for best results
- Olive oil: adds color and helps crisp the edge go for extra virgin with a peppery finish
Instructions
- Melt the Butter and Make Roux:
- Warm the butter in a small saucepan on medium heat until just bubbling. Add flour and whisk nonstop for two minutes until the mixture is thick but still pale. This keeps the sauce silky without a toasted taste.
- Add Milk and Thicken the Sauce:
- Slowly pour in the milk whisking constantly to smooth out lumps. Simmer on medium stirring often for three to five minutes until the sauce thickens enough to coat your spoon.
- Build Flavor with Garlic and Seasonings:
- Stir in minced garlic salt and cracked pepper. Let it simmer one minute then add the Parmesan. Keep whisking until the cheese melts and the sauce is creamy then set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Pizza Dough:
- Preheat your oven to four hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit or two hundred thirty two Celsius. Roll out your pizza dough on a lightly floured surface until it is your desired thickness.
- Flavor the Crust:
- Brush the top of the rolled dough with olive oil and sprinkle evenly with Italian herb mix to season the base and add aroma.
- Add the Cheeses and Garlic Sauce:
- Spread a generous layer of your cooled garlic sauce over the dough leaving a border for the crust. Sprinkle mozzarella and the reserved Parmesan evenly over the top.
- Bake the Pizza:
- Place your pizza in the preheated oven. Bake for ten to twelve minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and the edges are deeply golden.
- Finish with Basil:
- Once out of the oven scatter basil ribbons over the hot cheese so they wilt just enough. Slice and serve while warm for the meltiest experience.
Every time I toss on the basil at the end the kitchen fills with such a fresh green scent that my kids always peek in and ask when dinner is ready. Parmesan is my favorite here for its nutty saltiness and it is always the little extra sprinkle on top that makes everyone ask for seconds.
Storage Tips
Store leftover slices in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. For best results reheat in a toaster oven or hot nonstick skillet to recreate a crispy crust and gooey top. Wrap tightly in foil before refrigerating to keep moisture in and keep the cheese soft.
Ingredient Substitutions
Swap half and half for whole milk if you prefer an even richer sauce. Feel free to use provolone or fontina for some of the mozzarella. If fresh basil is not available parsley or fresh arugula works as a finishing touch.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this pizza with a crisp green salad tossed in lemon vinaigrette for balance. A handful of roasted cherry tomatoes on the side provides bright acidity. I often make a simple antipasto platter for a low effort crowd pleasing meal.
A Brief Look at White Pizza
White pizza or pizza bianca is an Italian favorite that skips tomato sauce in favor of olive oil or creamy cheese based toppings. This version takes cues from Roman traditions but adds a garlic Parmesan sauce for extra richness and American comfort. White pizza is popular for those who want pizza night with a different flavor profile or those who love showcasing fresh dairy.
Seasonal Adaptations
Top with sautéed mushrooms or roasted butternut squash in fall. Add sliced zucchini or asparagus in spring for extra green freshness. Swap in heirloom tomatoes right after baking during summer abundance.
Success Stories
Friends often tell me they discovered their new favorite pizza with this recipe. It is perfect for family movie nights adults only gatherings or even a quick lunch with leftovers the next day. Making your own garlic sauce might sound fancy but after the first try you will want to use it on everything.
Freezer Meal Conversion
You can parbake the stretched dough for six minutes cool completely top with sauce and cheese and wrap tightly to freeze. When ready to eat bake straight from frozen at four hundred fifty degrees until heated through and bubbly. It is a weeknight lifesaver when schedules get busy.
This white pizza is a quick way to impress and please any crowd. Your kitchen will smell amazing with every bake.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of cheese works best for this pizza?
Low-moisture mozzarella and freshly shredded Parmesan are ideal for a gooey melt and savory flavor.
- → How do I keep the crust from getting soggy?
Brush the dough with olive oil before adding toppings and preheat your oven for a crisp base.
- → Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Yes, both homemade and pre-made doughs work well—choose your favorite for convenience and taste.
- → What herbs complement the white pizza flavors?
Italian herb mix, such as oregano and basil, adds depth to the rich garlic and cheese elements.
- → Is fresh garlic necessary or can jarred work?
Freshly minced garlic delivers the most flavor, but jarred minced garlic is a practical substitution.
- → Can this pizza be reheated?
Yes, reheat leftovers in the oven or toaster oven to regain a crispy crust and melty cheese layer.