Garlic Sauce for Pizza with Parmesan and Fresh Garlic
By Emma Collins
Prep
5 min
Cook
10 min
Total
15 min
Servings
8
Level
Easy
Uncooked, hard fresh garlic cloves give the milk and butter-based pizza sauce a garlicky taste. I make this sauce as an alternative to classic pizza sauce. Parmesan cheese and oregano provide additional savory and creamy flavors to the pizza sauce.
I use a medium saucepan and whisk to cook the flour in butter for the full minute, then add milk. Pour milk slowly into the pan while whisking to avoid lumps when adding milk and during cooking. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is advised because packaged Parmesan cheese has additives to prevent lumps.
Stop cooking garlic after 30 to 60 seconds on medium heat to avoid browning garlic. Keep sauce at a gentle simmer for 4 to 5 minutes without a rapid boil to avoid curdling or burning milk or other sauces in the pan. Take sauce off heat when it coats the whisk and has a loose gravy-like consistency.
One batch of sauce covers a 14- to 16-inch pizza. I use this sauce on prepared pizza dough along with other toppings. Some suggested toppings are chicken, spinach, and mushrooms. Prosciutto, arugula, and balsamic vinegar offer alternative salty, garlicky toppings. One batch of sauce makes a thick layer to cover pizza dough.
Why this recipe works
- Whole milk and freshly grated Parmesan cheese add thickness to the sauce to help it coat the pizza crust without running off the sides.
- Four cloves of garlic are added to a large pizza, along with oregano for flavor comparable to a white pizza.
- Butter and flour can be used to make a gravy-like sauce in 10 minutes using other ingredients found in most pantries.
- An entire roasted bulb of garlic can be substituted for individual minced garlic cloves to add more garlic flavor and sweetness.
- Fresh basil changes the taste of the sauce, Other ingredients that change the taste of the sauce include parsley, thyme, crushed red pepper, and lemon juice.
Ingredients
- •3 tbsp unsalted butter
- •4 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- •3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- •1 ½ cups whole milk
- •½ cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- •1 tsp dried oregano
- •½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- •¼ tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
Instructions
- 1
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant, without letting it brown.
- 2
Whisk in the flour and cook for one minute, stirring constantly.
- 3
Gradually add the whole milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps.
- 4
Cook over medium heat, stirring often, for 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- 5
Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the Parmesan, oregano, salt, and pepper until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
FAQ
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories
95
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