Description
A creamy, flavorful white garlic pizza sauce made with garlic, butter or olive oil, cream or milk, and optional cheese and herbs. Perfect for spreading on pizza bases, drizzling over pasta, or as a versatile dipping sauce. The sauce balances rich garlic aroma with a smooth texture, easily customizable for vegan and extra cheesy preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced or roasted
- 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
- ¾ cup heavy cream, milk, or plant-based milk
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese (optional)
- ½ tsp salt, or to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
- Fresh or dried herbs (thyme, basil, oregano – optional)
Vegan Options
- Almond, oat, or cashew milk instead of dairy milk or cream
- Omit cheese or use vegan Parmesan
Extra Cheesy Additions
- Mozzarella, fontina, or additional Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare garlic and aromatics: Roast or sauté the minced or whole garlic cloves until fragrant; you can also optionally sauté onions or shallots alongside for additional flavor complexity.
- Melt butter or heat oil: In a saucepan set over medium-low heat, melt the butter or warm the olive oil carefully without burning it.
- Add garlic: Stir the garlic into the butter or oil and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until aromatic; take care not to let the garlic brown, as this can cause bitterness.
- Add cream or milk: Slowly pour in your choice of heavy cream, milk, or plant-based milk while whisking continuously to combine and develop a smooth base.
- Incorporate cheese (optional): Gradually add the grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese, stirring to help thicken the sauce and enrich its flavor.
- Season: Add salt, black pepper, a pinch of nutmeg, and fresh or dried herbs such as thyme, basil, or oregano according to your taste; adjust seasoning carefully and gradually.
- Blend (optional): For a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender to thoroughly blend the sauce until silky.
- Adjust consistency: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out by adding a splash of milk or broth. Alternatively, you can gently simmer the sauce to thicken it for a pizza base application.
- Use immediately or store: Spread the sauce on your pizza dough, drizzle over pasta dishes, or refrigerate or freeze for later use.
Notes
- Use plant-based milk and vegan cheese to make this sauce vegan-friendly.
- Roasting garlic adds a sweeter, mellower garlic flavor compared to sautéing.
- Adjust seasoning and herbs based on your flavor preference and intended use.
- The sauce thickness can be adapted to your needs by adjusting liquid or simmering time.
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: white garlic sauce, pizza sauce, garlic cream sauce, creamy garlic sauce, homemade pizza sauce, vegetarian sauce
