This white sauce pizza recipe is about to become your new favorite dinner go-to! There's something magical about creamy, garlicky white sauce coating crispy pizza dough and melting into golden cheese. As someone who's perfected this white sauce pizza recipe over countless dinner parties, I can promise you'll never want regular pizza sauce again.
What makes this white sauce pizza recipe so special? It's incredibly simple yet delivers restaurant-quality results in your own kitchen. The creamy béchamel-style base pairs beautifully with fresh herbs and melted cheese, creating the ultimate comfort food for any dinner occasion.
Why This White Sauce Pizza Recipe Changes Everything
Traditional pizza is wonderful, but this white sauce pizza recipe opens up a whole new world of flavors and possibilities. The creamy garlic base creates a luxurious foundation that lets toppings truly shine, making it perfect for elegant dinner entertaining or cozy family meals.
Unlike regular tomato-based pizzas, this white sauce pizza recipe offers a milder, creamier flavor profile that even picky eaters love. The rich, velvety texture comes from a simple combination of butter, flour, milk, and garlic ; creating an alfredo-style sauce that's both comforting and sophisticated.
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Ingredients
For the White Sauce:
- Butter
- All-purpose flour
- Whole milk
- Garlic, minced
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Parmesan cheese, grated
For the Pizza:
- Pizza dough
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Ricotta cheese
- Olive oil
- Dried oregano
- Dried basil
- Fresh thyme
Optional Toppings:
- Fresh spinach
- Mushrooms
- Grilled chicken
- Caramelized onions
- Cherry tomatoes
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Creamy White Sauce
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until bubbling.
- Whisk in flour constantly for 2 minutes to create a smooth roux.
- Gradually add milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps.
- Add minced garlic, salt, and pepper, then simmer for 3-4 minutes until thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
Step 2: Prepare Pizza Dough and Oven
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and lightly oil your pizza stone or baking sheet.
- Roll out pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
- Transfer dough to prepared baking surface and brush edges with olive oil.
Step 3: Assemble Your Pizza
- Spread the white sauce evenly across the dough, leaving a 1-inch border for the crust.
- Dollop ricotta cheese in small spoonfuls across the surface.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese generously over the entire pizza.
- Add your chosen toppings and sprinkle with dried herbs.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes before slicing.
- Garnish with fresh thyme and serve immediately while hot.
Expert Cooking Tips
The secret to perfect white sauce pizza recipe success lies in mastering your sauce consistency and temperature control.
Sauce Perfection Tips:
- Always use room temperature milk to prevent the sauce from breaking
- Whisk constantly when adding milk to avoid lumps
- Cook the roux for at least 2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste
- Let the sauce cool slightly before spreading to prevent dough from becoming soggy
Assembly and Baking Wisdom:
- Pre-bake your dough for 5 minutes if using very wet toppings like fresh tomatoes
- Don't overload with sauce ; less is more for crispy results
- Use a pizza stone preheated for 30 minutes for the crispiest crust
- Brush crust edges with garlic butter for extra flavor
Temperature and Timing Mastery:
- High heat (475°F) creates the perfect balance of crispy crust and melted cheese
- Watch carefully in the final minutes to prevent over-browning
- Let pizza rest briefly before cutting to allow cheese to set
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
This versatile white sauce pizza recipe adapts beautifully to different dietary needs and flavor preferences.
Dietary Modifications: Transform this recipe for various dietary requirements. For dairy-free versions, substitute butter with olive oil and use cashew cream instead of milk. Gluten-free pizza dough works perfectly with this sauce. For lighter options, use low-fat milk and reduce cheese quantities.
Creative Flavor Combinations:
- Mediterranean Style: Add spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta cheese
- Protein-Packed: Top with grilled chicken, bacon, or Italian sausage
- Veggie Paradise: Layer with roasted bell peppers, artichoke hearts, and caramelized onions
- Herb Garden: Fresh basil, rosemary, and oregano create an aromatic masterpiece
- Gourmet Touch: Truffle oil drizzle and wild mushrooms for elegant dinner parties
Sauce Variations: Customize your white sauce base by adding roasted garlic for deeper flavor, or incorporate herbs like fresh thyme directly into the sauce. For spice lovers, a pinch of red pepper flakes adds perfect heat.
Equipment Recommendations
Success with this white sauce pizza recipe depends on having the right tools for optimal results.
Essential Equipment:
- Heavy-bottomed saucepan for smooth, lump-free sauce preparation
- Wire whisk for proper sauce consistency and preventing separation
- Pizza stone or heavy baking sheet for even crust browning
- Rolling pin for uniform dough thickness
Helpful Additions: A pizza peel makes transferring easier, while a pastry brush ensures even oil distribution. Digital kitchen scale provides consistent measurements for professional results every time.
Storage & Meal Prep Tips
Planning ahead makes enjoying this white sauce pizza recipe even easier throughout the week.
Sauce Storage Solutions: White sauce keeps refrigerated for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk to restore creamy consistency. The sauce can be frozen for up to 1 month ; thaw overnight and whisk smooth before using.
Pizza Prep Strategies:
- Prepare pizza dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 24 hours
- Pre-make sauce and store separately from other ingredients
- Assemble pizzas and freeze unbaked for quick weeknight dinners
- Leftover pizza reheats beautifully in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes
Make-Ahead Tips: Portion sauce into ice cube trays for individual servings. Pre-grate cheese and store in freezer bags. Prep all toppings and store in separate containers for easy assembly.
Secret Recipe Tips for Ultimate Success
The difference between good and exceptional white sauce pizza recipe results comes down to two crucial techniques that professional chefs swear by.
First, always temper your milk by warming it slightly before adding to the roux. This single step prevents the sauce from seizing and creates the silkiest texture possible. The second game-changing tip involves letting your assembled pizza rest for 5 minutes before baking ; this allows the white sauce pizza recipe components to meld together, preventing soggy bottoms and ensuring even cooking.
These professional secrets transform your homemade pizza from amateur to restaurant-quality, guaranteeing impressed dinner guests every single time.
FAQ
What is the white sauce on pizza made of?
White sauce for pizza typically consists of butter, flour, milk, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, creating a creamy béchamel-style base. This white sauce pizza recipe uses simple pantry ingredients to achieve rich, restaurant-quality flavor at home.
What is the white sauce that comes with pizza?
The white sauce served with pizza is usually a garlic-infused cream sauce similar to alfredo, made from butter, milk, and cheese. Our white sauce pizza recipe creates this beloved creamy base that's perfect for dipping crusts too.
What makes white pizza sauce different?
White pizza sauce differs from traditional tomato sauce by using a milk-based roux instead of tomatoes, creating a creamy, mild flavor that complements cheese beautifully. This white sauce pizza recipe showcases how the neutral base lets other ingredients shine.
Is white pizza sauce the same as Alfredo sauce?
While similar, white pizza sauce is typically lighter than alfredo sauce, using less cream and more milk for optimal spreading consistency. This white sauce pizza recipe balances creaminess with the right texture for pizza applications.
Conclusion ; Try These Amazing Pizza Recipes Next
This incredible white sauce pizza recipe proves that dinner doesn't need to be complicated to be absolutely delicious. The creamy, garlicky base creates the perfect foundation for endless topping combinations, making it ideal for feeding family or impressing guests. Once you master this white sauce pizza recipe, you'll find yourself creating restaurant-quality dinners right in your own kitchen.
Ready to expand your pizza repertoire? Try our Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza Recipe for quick personal-sized pizzas, or dive into our Cheesy Garlic Pizza Recipe for the ultimate comfort food experience. Both recipes pair beautifully with the techniques you've learned from this white sauce pizza recipe.
Pizza night just got a whole lot more exciting with this creamy, dreamy white sauce base! 🍕; Viola
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this white sauce pizza recipe:
White Sauce Pizza Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Heavy-bottomed saucepan
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Pizza stone or baking sheet
- 1 Rolling Pin
Ingredients
- ¼ Butter For sauce
- 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour For sauce
- 1 cup Whole milk (room temperature) For sauce
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced For sauce
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt For sauce
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper For sauce
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated For sauce
- 1 dough Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade) For base
- 1.5 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded Topping
- 0.5 cup Ricotta cheese Topping
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil Brush crust
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano Topping
- 1 teaspoon Dried basil Topping
- – Fresh thyme Garnish
Instructions
- Make Sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter. Add flour and cook 1 minute, whisking constantly. Slowly whisk in milk, garlic, salt, pepper, and Parmesan until thickened. Remove from heat.
- Prep Dough: Roll out pizza dough on floured surface. Transfer to prepared pizza stone or baking sheet.
- Assemble Pizza: Spread white sauce over crust. Top with mozzarella, dollops of ricotta, herbs, and any optional toppings.
- Bake Pizza: Bake at 475°F (245°C) for 12–15 minutes until crust is golden and cheese bubbly. Rest 5 minutes before slicing.
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