White pizza sauce provides a creamy, rich, and smooth sauce for a delicious alternative to the classic tomato sauce. Ramp up your next homemade pizza night with choices of red or white sauce.
I swear, I could eat pizza every day and not get tired of it. The versatility means you could have a different pizza every day for a year and not repeat any of them. Switch out the meats, cheeses, veggies, and sauces for an infinite list of choices.
That’s probably the main reason I came up with my own white sauce recipe. Now, I can make a pizza buffet with white, red (tomato or roasted red pepper), and green (pesto) sauces and then mix and match the toppings for a fun-filled evening with the family.
What Is White Pizza Sauce?
Most people think of Alfredo sauce when we’re on the subject. And while they have a lot in common, there is one main difference. White sauce is thickened with a roux, and Alfredo sauce is thickened with cheese and time.
I suppose you could use them interchangeably, but I prefer the thicker sauce on my pizza because it’s more spreadable. That said, you could certainly thin this sauce slightly for your favorite pasta and add the same toppings as you would pizza to change things around a bit.
How to Make White Pizza Sauce
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Roux – Whisk in the flour and continue whisking for a minute or two to get rid of the raw taste. Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasonings for about 30 seconds. (Photos 1-2)
- Base – Slowly add the whole milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly until the mixture has thickened and becomes smooth. (Photos 3-4)
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cheese – Remove from the heat, add cheese, and stir until it is fully incorporated and smooth. Stir in basil if desired. Add a little milk if it’s too thick. (Photos 5-6)
- Use as desired on homemade pizza dough or pasta.
The Best Pizza Toppings For White Sauce
The only factor to consider when choosing the best pizza topping to put on top of this white sauce is YOU! But, of course, some toppings pair better with white sauce than others. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Asparagus and pecorino Romano
- Red onions and salami
- Ham or prosciutto
- Mushrooms, especially portobellos
- Arugula (especially with Fontina)
- Spinach and bacon
- Caramelized onions and green olives
- Roasted bell peppers
- Eggplant and goat cheese
Storage Instructions
I love doubling the recipe so I can keep the extra in a glass jar in the fridge. It keeps up to five days, and it’s ready to go for pasta night or a quick pizza fix.
If it thickens up more than you wanted, add a drizzle of milk to thin it to the desired consistency.
Other Homemade Sauce Recipes to Try
This blog post was originally published in October 2020 and has been updated with additional tips and beautiful photos
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