White Pizza Sauce: 5-Minute Garlic Parmesan Recipe (Plus 4 Easy Variations)
Creamy, garlicky and tomato-free. Butter, garlic, a spoon of flour, milk and parmesan whisk into a smooth sauce that turns any pizza into a white pizza.
- 5 minutes
- 6 pantry ingredients
- Covers 2 pizzas
- Make ahead
This white pizza sauce is the creamy base behind every great white pizza: garlic, butter and parmesan whisked into a silky sauce in about five minutes.
Quick answer
To make white pizza sauce, melt 2 tbsp butter, cook 3 minced garlic cloves for a minute, whisk in 2 tbsp flour, then slowly whisk in 1 cup warm milk and simmer 3 to 4 minutes until thick. Off the heat, stir in ⅓ cup parmesan, Italian herbs, salt and pepper. It covers two 12-inch pizzas.
White pizza sauce: creamy garlic parmesan under mozzarella, spinach and mushrooms.
What Is White Pizza Sauce?
White pizza sauce is a creamy, tomato-free base for pizza. The classic version is a small béchamel: butter and flour cooked together, thickened with milk, then loaded with garlic and parmesan. It bakes into a rich, savory layer that lets toppings like chicken, spinach, mushrooms and ricotta shine.
Five minutes
One small pan, no simmering for an hour like a tomato sauce.
Pantry staples
Butter, garlic, flour, milk and parmesan are probably already in the kitchen.
Stays put
The touch of flour keeps it from running off the pizza in a hot oven.
Flexible
Thin it for pasta, thicken it for dipping, or swap in ricotta or cream.
Basic White Pizza Sauce With Garlic, Parmesan and Herbs
The card makes about 1 cup, enough for two 12-inch pizzas. Tap 1, 4 or 6 and every amount updates.
Whisk constantly as the warm milk goes in for a smooth, lump-free sauce.
Garlic Parmesan White Pizza Sauce
Butter, garlic and a quick roux whisked with warm milk and finished with parmesan and Italian herbs. Tap the number of pizzas and every amount updates.
Pizzas (12-inch)
Ingredients
White pizza sauce- 1 tbsp2 tbsp4 tbsp6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2369 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp2 tbsp¼ cup6 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ½ cup1 cup2 cups3 cups whole milk, warmed
- 3 tbsp⅓ cup⅔ cup1 cup parmesan, finely grated
- pinch¼ tsp½ tsp¾ tsp dried Italian seasoning
- ⅛ tsp¼ tsp½ tsp¾ tsp fine sea salt
- ⅛ tsp¼ tsp½ tsp¾ tsp black pepper
- pinchpinch¼ tsp¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Warm the milk first. Warm milk blends into the roux without lumps. 30 seconds in the microwave is enough.
Instructions
Melt the butter
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until it just foams. Do not let it brown.
Cook the garlic
Add the garlic and stir 60 to 90 seconds, until fragrant and barely golden.
Make the roux
Whisk in the flour and cook 1 minute, whisking, to cook out the raw flour taste.
Add the milk
Pour in the warm milk in a thin stream, whisking constantly so no lumps form.
Thicken
Simmer gently 3 to 4 minutes, whisking, until it coats the back of a spoon like thick yogurt.
Season
Off the heat, stir in the parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and pepper flakes. Cool 5 minutes before spreading.
Tools for White Pizza Sauce and Pizza Night
A small pan and a whisk make the sauce. The rest make the pizza.
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White Pizza Sauce vs Alfredo vs Garlic Oil
| Sauce | Made with | Texture | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SauceGarlic parmesan white sauce | Made withButter, flour, milk, garlic, parmesan | TextureCreamy, spreadable | Best forMost white pizzas |
| SauceAlfredo | Made withButter, cream, parmesan | TextureRich, thinner | Best forChicken alfredo pizza |
| SauceRicotta white sauce | Made withRicotta, garlic, olive oil, herbs | TextureThick, fresh | Best forNo-cook, Neapolitan-style |
| SauceGarlic olive oil | Made withOlive oil, garlic, herbs | TextureLight, crisp crust | Best forThin crust and flatbreads |
| SauceCream cheese garlic | Made withCream cheese, milk, garlic | TextureTangy, thick | Best forQuick weeknight pizzas |
Easy White Pizza Sauce Variations
Same idea, four other ways. Tap one:
No-Cook Ricotta White Sauce
Stir 1 cup ricotta, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 grated garlic clove, ¼ cup parmesan, lemon zest and basil. No stove needed.
Garlic Olive Oil Sauce
Warm ¼ cup olive oil with 4 sliced garlic cloves, oregano and chili flakes until fragrant. Brush it on thin crusts.
Alfredo-Style Cream Sauce
Simmer ¾ cup heavy cream with 2 tbsp butter and garlic 3 minutes; stir in ½ cup parmesan.
2-Minute Cream Cheese Sauce
Microwave 4 oz cream cheese with ¼ cup milk and garlic powder; whisk smooth and add parmesan.
Ricotta, garlic oil and alfredo-style: three more white sauces for pizza.
How Much White Sauce for Pizza
| Pizza size | White sauce | Mozzarella |
|---|---|---|
| Pizza size10-inch | White sauce¼ cup | Mozzarella1 cup |
| Pizza size12-inch | White sauce⅓ to ½ cup | Mozzarella1½ cups |
| Pizza size14-inch | White sauce½ cup | Mozzarella2 cups |
| Pizza sizeHalf sheet pan | White sauce¾ to 1 cup | Mozzarella3 cups |
| Pizza sizeFlatbread or naan | White sauce2 to 3 tbsp | Mozzarella½ cup |
Spread it thin, leaving a ½-inch border. Too much sauce makes the center soggy.
A thin layer, almost to the edge, then the cheese and toppings.
Best Toppings for White Sauce Pizza
| Pizza | Toppings |
|---|---|
| PizzaChicken spinach | ToppingsShredded roast chicken, baby spinach, mozzarella, parmesan |
| PizzaMushroom and onion | ToppingsSliced mushrooms, caramelized onions, thyme, provolone |
| PizzaFour cheese | ToppingsMozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, provolone, fresh basil |
| PizzaGarden veggie | ToppingsBroccoli, artichokes, red onion, cherry tomatoes |
| PizzaGarlic shrimp | ToppingsShrimp, roasted garlic, lemon zest, parsley |
| PizzaSpicy beef | ToppingsHalal beef pepperoni, jalapeños, mozzarella, hot honey |
| PizzaChicken alfredo | ToppingsChicken, broccoli, extra parmesan, black pepper |
White sauce also works on calzones, flatbreads, garlic bread and baked pasta, or thinned with pasta water as a quick pasta sauce.
Pizzeria Tips for White Sauce Pizza
Season boldly
Cheese and crust mute flavor, so the sauce should taste a little salty and very garlicky on its own.
Spread it cool
Warm sauce soaks into raw dough. Let it cool 5 minutes so it sits on top.
Bake hot
500°F or higher on a preheated steel or stone keeps the crust crisp under a creamy sauce.
Finish fresh
Add basil, lemon zest, chili flakes or a drizzle of olive oil after baking for brightness.
Common White Pizza Sauce Mistakes
| Mistake | What happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| MistakeBrowning the butter or garlic | What happensBitter, dark sauce | FixKeep the heat medium-low |
| MistakeCold milk added fast | What happensLumps | FixWarm the milk; add it slowly while whisking |
| MistakeNot cooking the roux | What happensFloury taste | FixWhisk the flour in the butter a full minute |
| MistakeCheese over high heat | What happensGrainy, oily sauce | FixStir in parmesan off the heat |
| MistakeToo much sauce | What happensSoggy center | Fix⅓ to ½ cup per 12-inch pizza |
| MistakeToo thick | What happensHard to spread | FixWhisk in milk 1 tbsp at a time |
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
| Where | How long | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| WhereFridge | How longUp to 4 days | TipPress plastic wrap on the surface to stop a skin forming |
| WhereFreezer | How longUp to 2 months | TipFreeze in ½-cup portions, one per pizza |
| WhereReheat | How long1 to 2 minutes | TipLow heat with a splash of milk, whisking |
| WhereUse cold | How longStraight from the fridge | TipSpread it thin; it melts in the oven |
White Pizza Sauce: FAQs
What is white pizza sauce?
A creamy, tomato-free pizza sauce made from butter, garlic, flour, milk and parmesan. It is a quick garlic parmesan béchamel thickened just enough to spread.
What is white sauce on pizza made of?
Usually butter, garlic, flour, milk and parmesan. Other versions use cream, ricotta, cream cheese or garlic olive oil.
Is white pizza sauce the same as alfredo?
Close, but not the same. Alfredo is butter, cream and parmesan with no flour, so it is richer and thinner. White pizza sauce uses a little flour so it stays put in a hot oven.
How much white sauce do I need per pizza?
About ¼ cup for a 10-inch pizza, ⅓ to ½ cup for a 12 to 14-inch pizza. Spread it thin.
Can I make white pizza sauce without flour?
Yes. Simmer ½ cup cream with garlic until slightly reduced, then stir in parmesan, or use the ricotta or cream cheese versions below.
Can I make it without butter?
Yes. Use olive oil in place of the butter; the sauce will taste a little lighter and fruitier.
Why is my white sauce lumpy?
The milk went in too fast or cold. Warm the milk and add it slowly while whisking. Whisk out small lumps, or press through a strainer.
Why did my sauce turn grainy?
The cheese was added over high heat or was pre-shredded. Take the pan off the heat and use finely grated parmesan.
Can I make white pizza sauce ahead?
Yes. Refrigerate up to 4 days in a covered jar. It thickens when cold; stir in a spoon of warm milk before using.
Can I freeze white pizza sauce?
Yes, up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and whisk smooth over low heat with a splash of milk.
What toppings go with white sauce pizza?
Chicken and spinach, mushrooms and caramelized onions, roasted garlic and ricotta, broccoli, artichokes, shrimp, or halal beef pepperoni.
What cheese goes on a white pizza?
Mozzarella for the melt, plus ricotta, parmesan or provolone for flavor.
Can I use white pizza sauce for pasta?
Yes. Thin it with a little pasta water and toss with fettuccine or penne.
Is white pizza sauce gluten-free?
Not with wheat flour. Use cornstarch (1 tsp per cup of milk) or the flour-free cream version.
More Pizza Recipes
Dough, red sauce and quick pizza nights.
Butter, garlic, a quick roux, warm milk and parmesan off the heat.
Pin this white pizza sauce so the recipe and the four variations are ready for pizza night.
