Description
This Epic Roasted Garlic Pizza features a rich roasted garlic white sauce spread over a crispy homemade pizza crust, topped with a blend of provolone and fresh mozzarella cheeses, roasted garlic cloves, and optional protein like shredded chicken or Italian sausage. Finished with fresh herbs and drizzles of hot honey and balsamic glaze, this pizza is a flavorful, aromatic feast perfect for garlic lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Roasted Garlic
- 3 heads garlic
- 1–2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 head roasted garlic, cloves squeezed out
White Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup whole milk
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 heads roasted garlic, cloves squeezed out and smashed into a paste
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Pizza
- 1 ball pizza dough (16 oz)
- Semolina flour, for sprinkling on pizza peel
- 8 oz freshly grated provolone cheese
- 4 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- Protein of choice (optional): shredded chicken, bacon, Italian sausage, etc.
For Serving
- Fresh thyme leaves
- Fresh basil leaves
- Hot honey
- Balsamic glaze
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Roast the Garlic: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Slice the tops off the garlic heads, exposing the tips of the cloves. Drizzle with olive oil, ensuring it seeps into all crevices. Season with salt and pepper, then wrap each head in aluminum foil. Roast directly on the oven rack for 50-60 minutes until cloves are deeply golden brown. Let cool.
- Prepare Roasted Garlic Paste: Squeeze the cloves from two garlic heads and mash them into a smooth paste for the white sauce. Carefully remove cloves from the third head mostly intact for topping the pizza.
- Make the White Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk for 1 minute to cook out rawness. Reduce heat to medium-low and slowly whisk in the milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes until thick enough to coat a spoon. Remove from heat and whisk in the roasted garlic paste, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Preheat Oven for Baking: Increase oven temperature to 450°F and place a pizza stone on the middle rack to preheat thoroughly.
- Shape the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll or stretch the pizza dough into a round shape. Use your hands to gently pull and stretch for an even crust.
- Assemble the Pizza: Sprinkle semolina flour on a pizza peel and place the dough near one edge for easy transfer. Spread an even layer of the garlic white sauce over the dough. Add protein of choice, if desired. Sprinkle with provolone cheese and distribute torn fresh mozzarella evenly. Nestle the roasted garlic cloves across the pizza.
- Bake the Pizza: Slide the pizza carefully from the peel onto the hot pizza stone in the oven. Bake for 14-15 minutes until the crust is golden and crisp, and the cheeses are bubbly and melted.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven. Top with fresh thyme and basil leaves, then drizzle with hot honey and/or balsamic glaze. Optionally sprinkle red pepper flakes for extra heat. Slice and serve immediately.
- Enjoy: Experience the amazing combination of roasted garlic flavor with creamy cheeses and a perfectly baked crust. Perfect to share with family and friends!
Notes
- Roasting garlic deeply mellows its flavor, giving a sweet, rich taste perfect for white sauce and toppings.
- If you don’t have a pizza stone, use a preheated baking sheet but results may vary slightly.
- Semolina flour on the pizza peel helps the dough slide off easily without sticking.
- Protein toppings like bacon, chicken, or Italian sausage are optional but add great flavor and texture contrast.
- Hot honey and balsamic glaze add a sweet and tangy finish that balances the roasted garlic’s richness.
- Store leftover pizza in the refrigerator and reheat in a hot oven or skillet to keep crust crispy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: roasted garlic pizza, white sauce pizza, homemade pizza, garlic sauce pizza, vegetarian pizza, cheese pizza, pizza with roasted garlic
