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Pizza Pizza Creamy Garlic Sauce

Pizza Pizza Creamy Garlic Sauce - recipe card

A rich, velvety garlic sauce inspired by the iconic pizza chain, perfect for dipping crusts, drizzling over slices, or using as a base for white pizza. This sauce balances the sharp bite of fresh garlic with creamy dairy and a hint of Parmesan for a savory, indulgent flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg (optional, for depth)

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter is fully melted and begins to foam (about 1 minute), add the minced garlic and sauté for 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned. Burnt garlic will taste bitter, so watch carefully and lower the heat if needed.
  2. Pour in the heavy cream and whole milk, stirring with a whisk to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, about 2-3 minutes. You should see small bubbles around the edges but no rolling boil—this prevents the cream from curdling.
  3. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken slightly, just enough to coat the back of a spoon. If it seems too thin, continue simmering for another 2-3 minutes, but remember it will thicken more as it cools.
  4. Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup at a time, until fully melted and smooth. The cheese will melt from the residual heat; if you add it too early or over high heat, it can become grainy.
  5. Season the sauce with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg if using. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed—remember the Parmesan adds saltiness, so go lightly on the salt.
  6. If you prefer a smoother texture, blend the sauce with an immersion blender or in a standard blender (vent the lid) until silky. For a rustic sauce, leave it as is—the garlic flecks add character.
  7. Serve immediately as a dipping sauce for pizza crusts, or drizzle over pizza slices. For a white pizza base, spread the sauce onto the dough before adding toppings.
  8. Ensure you don’t over-reduce the sauce. According to my calculator, the nutrition values per serving are very reasonable.
  9. If you want a thinner sauce, whisk in an extra tablespoon of milk before serving. If you want it thicker, simmer a few minutes longer, but always stir to avoid scorching.
  10. Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring between, until warm.

Notes

Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Freezing: You can freeze this sauce for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container, but note that the cream may separate slightly after thawing. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm in a saucepan over low heat, whisking until smooth. If separated, an immersion blender can bring it back together. Reheat single servings in the microwave in 20-second increments, stirring well. Do not let the sauce boil when reheating, as it can curdle.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy garlic sauce, pizza sauce, pizza dip, garlic dipping sauce, white pizza sauce, homemade garlic sauce, Italian-American sauce, quick sauce, weeknight dinner, easy sauce recipe