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Creamy White Garlic Pizza Sauce - Rich, Velvety, and Packed With Flavor

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced (or 1 tablespoon grated)
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 cups whole milk (room temperature if possible)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for gentle heat)
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder (optional for extra savory depth)
  • Pinch of nutmeg (optional, but wonderful)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil (optional, for brightness)

Method
 

  1. Melt the butter: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter until it foams. Don’t let it brown.
  2. Gently cook the garlic: Add the minced garlic and stir for 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Do not brown the garlic, or it will turn bitter.
  3. Make the roux: Sprinkle in the flour and whisk constantly for 1–2 minutes. The mixture will look paste-like. This step removes the raw flour taste and sets the sauce up to thicken smoothly.
  4. Add the milk gradually: Whisk in the milk a little at a time, smoothing out any lumps as you go. Keep whisking until it’s fully incorporated and starting to thicken, 2–3 minutes.
  5. Pour in the cream: Add the heavy cream and continue whisking. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for another 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens to a spoon-coating consistency.
  6. Season and enrich: Stir in Parmesan, salt, pepper, and any optional spices (red pepper flakes, onion powder, nutmeg). Taste and adjust seasoning.
  7. Finish with herbs: Remove from heat and fold in chopped parsley or basil if using. The sauce will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.
  8. Use on pizza: Spread a thin, even layer over shaped pizza dough, leaving a small border. Top as desired and bake according to your dough’s directions.