Creamy Garlic Pizza Sauce

This creamy garlic sauce transforms ordinary pizza into an extraordinary culinary experience. The perfect balance of garlic, herbs, and creamy textures creates a sauce that works equally well as a dipping option or drizzled over your favorite pizza.

I first created this sauce when my family was bored with our regular Friday pizza night routine. Now they request it every time we order pizza, and I always make extra for leftover bread dipping the next day.

Ingredients

• Mayonnaise forms the creamy base that gives this sauce its luxurious texture
• Unsalted butter adds richness and helps the garlic infuse throughout the sauce
• Fresh garlic cloves provide that essential aromatic punch that defines this sauce
• Salt and pepper balance and enhance all the other flavors
• Dried herbs like parsley and oregano complement traditional pizza flavors
• Optional red pepper flakes add a pleasant heat that cuts through the richness
• Parmesan cheese contributes a savory umami quality and helps thicken the sauce
• Lemon juice brightens everything with subtle acidity that balances the richness

Step-by-Step Instructions

Melt the Butter

Heat butter in a small saucepan over low heat until completely melted but not browned. This should take about 1 minute. The butter should remain pale yellow to preserve its sweet flavor.

Bloom the Garlic

Add minced garlic to the melted butter and gently sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant. Watch carefully as garlic can burn quickly and develop a bitter taste. The garlic should soften but not take on any color.

Combine All Ingredients

Remove the pan from heat and add mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese, dried parsley, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes if using. The residual heat helps the flavors meld together while preventing the mayonnaise from separating.

Whisk Until Smooth

Whisk the mixture continuously until completely smooth and uniform in consistency. Make sure no lumps remain and all ingredients are fully incorporated. This should take about 30 seconds of vigorous whisking.

Adjust Consistency

For a thicker dipping sauce, allow it to cool slightly before serving. For a thinner drizzling consistency, keep it warm or gently reheat before serving. The sauce will naturally thicken as it cools.

Serve or Use in Recipe

Use immediately by drizzling over hot pizza, serving as a side dipping sauce, or spreading on pizza crust before adding toppings and baking.

Bookmark

The secret to this sauce is definitely the brief cooking of the garlic in butter. I discovered this technique after years of using raw garlic in sauces and finding it too harsh. This gentle sautéing mellows the garlic while releasing its essential oils into the butter, creating a more complex flavor profile that permeates the entire sauce.

Make-Ahead and Storage

This garlic sauce can be prepared up to three days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors actually improve after resting for several hours as the herbs and garlic infuse more deeply. When ready to use, let it come to room temperature for about 15 minutes. If the sauce separates or becomes too firm, simply whisk it vigorously or microwave for 5 to 10 seconds to restore its creamy texture.

Customization Options

The beauty of this base recipe is how easily it can be adapted to your preferences. For a dairy free version, replace the butter with olive oil and omit the Parmesan, adding a tablespoon of nutritional yeast instead for that cheesy flavor. Herb lovers can add fresh basil or rosemary for seasonal variations. For an extra kick, increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce. You can even fold in 2 tablespoons of pesto for a garden fresh twist in summer months.

Beyond Pizza Applications

While created for pizza, this versatile sauce elevates numerous dishes. Try it as a sandwich spread for Italian subs or paninis, toss with hot pasta for a quick creamy garlic sauce, use as a marinade for chicken before grilling, or dollop onto baked potatoes. It also makes an impressive dip for vegetables, pretzels, or crusty bread at gatherings. My family particularly loves it drizzled over roasted vegetables where the sauce melts into all the nooks and crannies.

Questions About the Recipe

→ Can I make this garlic sauce ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare this sauce up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Warm it slightly before serving for easier drizzling, or use it cold as a thicker spread.

→ Is there a dairy-free alternative to this sauce?

Absolutely. Replace the butter with olive oil and use dairy-free mayonnaise and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese for a completely dairy-free version that still delivers great flavor.

→ How spicy is this sauce with the red pepper flakes?

With ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, the sauce has a mild kick that complements the garlic without overwhelming it. For a spicier version, increase to ½ teaspoon, or omit entirely for no heat.

→ What else can I use this sauce for besides pizza?

This versatile sauce works wonderfully as a dip for breadsticks, spread for sandwiches, drizzled over roasted vegetables, tossed with pasta, or as a flavor boost for grilled chicken and seafood.

→ Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?

Yes! Triple the amount when substituting fresh herbs for dried. Use 1½ teaspoons each of fresh chopped parsley and oregano instead of the ½ teaspoon dried amounts for a brighter, more aromatic flavor.

→ How can I make this sauce lighter in calories?

To reduce calories, use light mayonnaise and reduce the butter to 2 tablespoons, replacing the remainder with olive oil. This will maintain the creamy texture while cutting some fat and calories.