Indulge in the simple yet irresistible flavors of this cheesy garlic pizza. A flavorful garlic butter sauce replaces the traditional tomato base, creating a rich and aromatic pizza that's loaded with gooey melted cheese. This easy homemade recipe is perfect as an appetizer, snack, or light meal.
- Keyword Focus: Cheesy Garlic Pizza, Garlic Cheese Pizza, White Pizza Recipe, Easy Pizza Recipe, Homemade Pizza.
Yields: 1 (12-inch) pizza Prep time: 20 minutes (plus dough rising time if making from scratch) Cook time: 15-20 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Pizza Dough:
- 1 batch of your favorite homemade pizza dough (see notes for a quick recipe) OR 1 lb store-bought pizza dough
For the Cheesy Garlic Topping:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (low-moisture, part-skim recommended for best melt)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil (optional, for garnish)
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
Equipment:
- Pizza stone or baking sheet
- Pizza peel (if using a pizza stone)
- Small bowl
- Pastry brush
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough:
- If using homemade dough: Prepare your pizza dough according to your recipe and let it rise. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) with a pizza stone inside for at least 30 minutes to an hour.
- If using store-bought dough: Let the dough sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes to make it easier to stretch. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) with a pizza stone or baking sheet.
- Make the Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, and salt. Mix until well combined.
- Shape the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll your pizza dough into a 12-inch circle (or your desired shape and thickness).
- Add the Garlic Butter and Cheese:
- Transfer the dough to a pizza peel dusted with semolina or cornmeal (if using a pizza stone) or directly onto a baking sheet.
- Spread the garlic butter evenly over the surface of the dough, leaving a ½-inch border for the crust.
- Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the garlic butter.
- Top with the shredded mozzarella cheese, ensuring it's distributed evenly.
- If desired, sprinkle with a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Bake the Pizza:
- Using a pizza stone: Carefully slide the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone using the pizza peel.
- Using a baking sheet: Place the baking sheet with the pizza in the preheated oven.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden in spots. Rotate the pizza halfway through baking for even cooking.
- Garnish and Serve: Once the pizza is done, carefully remove it from the oven. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or basil (if using) for garnish. Slice and serve immediately.
Notes for the Best Cheesy Garlic Pizza:
- Garlic Quality: Use fresh garlic for the best flavor. Avoid pre-minced garlic in jars, as it often lacks the same punch.
- Cheese Choice: Low-moisture mozzarella melts beautifully without becoming too watery. Feel free to experiment with other cheeses like provolone or fontina for a different flavor profile.
- Dough Thickness: Adjust the thickness of your dough to your preference. Thinner crusts will cook faster and become crispier.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of garlic and red pepper flakes to your liking.
- Homemade Dough Shortcut: For a quick homemade dough, you can try a simple recipe using self-rising flour and Greek yogurt (equal parts by volume, mix until a dough forms, no yeast or rising time needed, though the texture will be different from a traditional yeast dough).
Enjoy this incredibly cheesy and flavorful garlic pizza! It's a simple pleasure that's always a hit.
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