Name: Garlic White Pizza with Parmesan Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tablespoon unsalted butter; 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour; 1¼ cup whole milk; ¼ teaspoon sea salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 3 cloves garlic, very finely chopped (or 3 teaspoons jarred minced garlic); ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese; 1 homemade or store-bought pizza crust, 12-14 inches; 8 oz low moisture mozzarella cheese, grated; ½ cup garlic pizza sauce (from above); ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated; ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon olive oil; 2 tablespoon fresh basil, chiffonade

Jump to Recipe·5 from 44 reviews

If you adore pizza but sometimes want something a little different — creamy, cheesy, and bursting with garlic flavor — then this Garlic White Pizza with Parmesan Recipe is going to become your new go-to. It’s one of those recipes I stumbled upon on a lazy weekend, and now, I make it whenever I’m craving comfort food that feels fancy but is super simple. I’m excited to walk you through it because trust me, once you try this creamy garlic white sauce paired with mozzarella and parmesan on a crispy crust, you won’t look back!

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Why This Recipe Works

Rich Garlic Sauce: The creamy garlic sauce is smooth and full of flavor without overpowering the cheese.
Perfect Cheese Blend: Mozzarella for meltiness and parmesan for sharpness create a balanced cheese topping.
Simple Preparation: You can make the garlic sauce ahead and use store-bought dough for a quick weeknight meal.
Versatile & Customizable: This white pizza pairs with endless garnishes and sides to tailor it to your taste.

Garlic White Pizza with Parmesan, garlic white pizza, cheesy garlic pizza, white pizza with parmesan, easy garlic pizza recipe - The image shows a rectangular flatbread pizza with a golden-brown bubbly cheese layer on top, scattered with thin green basil strips. The base dough is light tan and slightly puffy around the edges. The flatbread is placed on parchment paper over a wooden surface with two garlic bulbs and a wedge of cheese nearby, along with a small bunch of fresh basil leaves. The background is changed to a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Garlic White Pizza with Parmesan Recipe plays a role to build layers of creamy, garlicky, cheesy goodness. Plus, I’ll share some tips about picking the right ingredients that really boost the flavor.

Garlic White Pizza with Parmesan, garlic white pizza, cheesy garlic pizza, white pizza with parmesan, easy garlic pizza recipe - Flat lay of a small slab of unsalted butter, a small white bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of whole milk, a pinch of sea salt in a tiny white bowl, a pinch of black pepper in a tiny white bowl, three fresh garlic cloves, a small white bowl of freshly grated parmesan cheese, a round homemade pizza dough crust, a mound of low-moisture shredded mozzarella cheese, a small white bowl of Italian seasoning, a small white bowl of olive oil, and a small pile of fresh basil chiffonade all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter: Unsalted butter lets you control seasoning while enriching the garlic sauce with a silky base.
All-purpose flour: Used to thicken the sauce without lumps, creating the perfect creamy consistency.
Whole milk: Adds richness to the sauce; you’ll want whole milk for that velvety texture.
Sea salt & black pepper: Seasoning essentials that bring out the garlic and cheese flavors perfectly.
Garlic: Fresh or jarred minced garlic works; I sometimes use jarred for convenience, but fresh gives a brighter punch.
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated parmesan melts into the sauce adding sharp umami that’s pure magic on the crust.
Pizza crust: You can go homemade or grab your favorite store-bought dough; sturdy enough to hold all that sauce and cheese without sogginess.
Low-moisture mozzarella: For that beautiful melt and stretch without excess water making the pizza soggy.
Italian seasoning: Just a sprinkle to give the base crust a herbaceous hint that complements the garlic sauce.
Olive oil: Brushed on the crust to crisp it beautifully and add a subtle fruity richness.
Basil chiffonade: Fresh basil for garnish adds a burst of color and fresh flavor that brightens every bite.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One thing I love about this Garlic White Pizza with Parmesan Recipe is how flexible it is. You can keep it classic or tweak it to fit your mood, dietary needs, or what’s in your fridge.

Variation: I once added roasted mushrooms and caramelized onions which gave the pizza a delightful earthy sweetness that paired beautifully with the garlic parmesan sauce.
Dairy-Free Option: Swap out the butter and milk for vegan butter and plant-based milk; just be sure to use vegan parmesan and mozzarella-style cheeses.
Make It Spicy: Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes on top before baking for a little heat kick — it wakes up the rich flavors nicely.
Gluten-Free Crust: You can totally use a gluten-free crust if you prefer, just watch the baking time because GF crusts sometimes crisp up faster.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic White Pizza with Parmesan Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Up That Creamy Garlic Sauce

Start by melting the unsalted butter over medium heat in a small saucepan — don’t let it brown because you want that smooth, light flavor. Whisk in the flour and keep at it for about 2 minutes until it’s fully incorporated, making a roux. Then, slowly add the whole milk while whisking constantly — this part is key to avoid lumps. You’ll see the mixture thicken and bubble up in around 3-5 minutes. Stir in the finely chopped garlic, salt, and pepper, then add your grated parmesan, whisking until it just melts into that beautiful sauce. Take it off the heat and let it cool before spreading on your pizza dough.

Step 2: Prep the Crust and Build Your White Pizza

Preheat your oven to 450ºF so it’s nice and hot for a crispy crust. Roll out your pizza crust to fit a 12 to 14-inch pizza pan — if using store-bought dough, give it a few minutes to come to room temperature first to stretch more easily. Brush the entire crust evenly with olive oil, then sprinkle on the Italian seasoning; this layers in a subtle herb flavor that balances the richness coming next. Spread the cooled garlic parmesan sauce generously over the crust, and then sprinkle your mozzarella and extra parmesan on top. This layering ensures every bite is creamy, cheesy, and garlicky.

Step 3: Bake Until Golden and Gooey

Pop the pizza into your preheated oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on it — the crust should turn golden and cooked through, and the cheeses should be melted and slightly bubbly but not burnt. Ovens vary, so if your crust starts browning too quickly, just reduce the temp a bit. Once out, top with a fresh handful of chiffonade basil to cut through all that creamy goodness with a fresh, slightly peppery note.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Don’t Rush the Sauce: Whisking constantly while adding milk keeps your garlic sauce velvety smooth and lump-free.
Preheat Your Oven Well: A hot oven crisps your crust perfectly and melts the cheeses beautifully.
Use Lower-Moisture Mozzarella: It melts better with less water, meaning no soggy pizza!
Cool Sauce Before Spreading: Hot sauce on dough can make it mushy; let it cool to keep that crust crisp.

How to Serve Garlic White Pizza with Parmesan Recipe

Garlic White Pizza with Parmesan, garlic white pizza, cheesy garlic pizza, white pizza with parmesan, easy garlic pizza recipe - The image shows three triangular slices of pizza on a white marbled surface. Each slice has a thin, light golden crust layered with melted cheese that is creamy white with bubbly golden brown spots on top. Small green basil leaves are scattered on the cheese, adding a fresh contrast to the warm colors. Some cheese is stretching slightly off the edges of the slices, showing a soft texture. The slices are placed close together, filling the frame with their warm and inviting look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I always top this pizza with fresh basil chiffonade because it adds a lovely fresh pop to cut through the richness of the cheese and sauce. Sometimes, for a little extra zing, I sprinkle just a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. If I’m feeling fancy, a drizzle of good quality olive oil right after baking adds that fruity, luscious finish.

Side Dishes

This garlic white pizza with parmesan pairs so nicely with a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette or roasted seasonal veggies — think asparagus or Brussels sprouts. A garlic butter green bean side also works beautifully, playing into the garlic theme without overloading.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, I sometimes make this pizza on a large rectangular baking sheet, then cut into squares. It’s perfect for sharing and looks super inviting on a wooden board with little ramekins of chili oil or pesto for dipping slices. On date nights, I like to add a sprinkle of edible flowers and microgreens on top for a gourmet touch that impresses without extra work.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually let leftover pizza cool completely, then store slices in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for up to 3 days. To prevent sogginess, I layer parchment paper between slices so the cheese doesn’t stick.

Freezing

While I don’t freeze the pizza often, the garlic sauce freezes beautifully on its own. Just freeze it in an airtight container and thaw in the fridge before using. If you want to freeze assembled pizza, bake it halfway, cool, then freeze wrapped tightly; this way, you can crisp it fully when reheating.

Reheating

Reheat leftover slices in a hot oven or toaster oven for about 5-7 minutes on a baking sheet—this refreshes the crisp crust and melts the cheese again. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that delicious cheese stretch and crispy crust texture.

FAQs

Can I make the garlic white sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely! The garlic white sauce can be made up to 5 days in advance and stored covered in the fridge. Just warm it gently before spreading it on your pizza dough.
What’s the best cheese for this white pizza recipe?

Low-moisture mozzarella is your best bet for meltiness without sogginess, paired with freshly grated parmesan for sharp, savory flavor.
Can I use store-bought pizza dough for this recipe?

Yes, store-bought dough works great and saves you prep time. Just let it thaw and come to room temperature before rolling it out to make it easier to stretch.
How do I prevent a soggy crust with the garlic sauce?

Let the sauce cool completely before spreading it on your dough and make sure to bake at a high temperature for a crispy crust. Brushing the dough with olive oil before adding sauce also helps keep it crisp.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic White Pizza with Parmesan Recipe has become a kitchen staple for me—comforting, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to whip up. I love how it feels special enough for guests but is a weekday lifesaver too. I’m confident you’ll enjoy how the creamy garlic sauce complements the cheeses and crust, and I encourage you to make it your own with toppings and sides you love. So go ahead, invite friends or cozy up solo, and treat yourself to this delicious pizza that’s a little different, totally satisfying, and always hits the spot.