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Smooth Garlic Sauce

Featured in Secret Sauces That Change Everything.

Turn simple ingredients into a smooth garlic cream sauce in just 12 minutes. Start by heating olive oil and cooking minced garlic until fragrant. Make a roux with flour and seasonings, then mix in half & half, whisking till it thickens. Adjust runniness with liquid or flour based on your preference. It's a perfect substitute for tomato sauces, ideal for pasta, pizza, or dipping! Prep it ahead to save time on busy days.
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Updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 22:25:54 GMT
A rustic wooden surface with a bowl of creamy sauce and a spoon. Pin it
A rustic wooden surface with a bowl of creamy sauce and a spoon. | cookwithtaste.com

This protein-loaded Pizza Bowl turns traditional pizza tastes into a filling, carb-conscious dish. The creamy cottage cheese bottom makes a rich, fulfilling base while giving you that familiar pizza joint flavor. After tweaking this dish many times, we've got the perfect mix of comfort eating and healthiness.

When cheese melts with those Italian herbs, you get a true pizza vibe that'll shock die-hard pizza fans. Getting the amounts just right really matters for nailing that classic pizza taste.

Essential Elements

  • Cottage Cheese: Go for the creamy full-fat kind, drained well
  • Marinara Sauce: Grab one packed with herbs
  • Herb Blend: Your classic Italian spice mix
  • Granulated Garlic: Gives that pizza parlor kick
  • Shredded Mozzarella: The drier stuff melts better
A spoonful of cream cheese is being poured onto a pizza. Pin it
A spoonful of cream cheese is being poured onto a pizza. | cookwithtaste.com

Making Your Bowl

Getting Started
Drain extra water from cottage cheese. Mix with spices till they're combined. Keep it a bit chunky. Taste and add more spices if needed.
Putting It Together
Start with your spiced cottage cheese mix. Slowly add marinara sauce. Mix in some cheese first. Toss in whatever toppings you like. Make little spots for toppings. Top with the rest of your cheese.
Cooking Options
Regular Oven: Warm to 400°F. Use something oven-safe. Put it on a baking sheet. Watch it near the end. Maybe broil to finish.
Air Fryer Option: Heat to 350°F. Use the right container. Look at it after 8 minutes. You want melty edges.

You'll get the smoothest texture by mixing that first cheese layer real good before adding your toppings. This trick makes sure everything melts evenly and flavors spread throughout.

Cooking Temps

You've gotta watch those temps for perfect cheese melting. Keep an eye on it to get that just-right gooey texture without burning anything.

Make-Ahead Magic

You can put these bowls together early without the top cheese layer. Keep them wrapped up in the fridge for three days max, and add that cheese right before heating.

This clever Pizza Bowl gives you a smart way to stick with healthy eating while still enjoying your pizza cravings. You can change it up however you want, so it works for pretty much any eating style or taste.

A wooden table with a bowl of cream cheese and a spoon in it. Pin it
A wooden table with a bowl of cream cheese and a spoon in it. | cookwithtaste.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can regular milk replace half & half?
Sure, though milk makes it less rich and creamy.
→ How do I change its texture?
Thicken by adding a flour-milk mix, or thin it out with more half & half.
→ Can I make this ahead?
Yep! Store it in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to three days.
→ What can I pair it with?
Use it on pasta, pizza, as a dip, or mix it into creamy dishes.
→ Can I throw in extra spices?
Go for it! Add any spices or herbs that match your taste.

Smooth Garlic Sauce

This garlic white sauce comes together fast, just 12 minutes! Full of all-natural flavors from fresh garlic and herbs, it's a go-to option for pasta, pizzas, and more.

Prep Time
2 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
12 Minutes
By: Milly

Category: Sauces & Marinades

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Base Ingredients

01 Roughly 1 1/2 cups of regular milk or half-and-half
02 2-3 tablespoons of plain flour
03 4 small garlic cloves, chopped finely
04 A few tablespoons of olive oil

→ Seasonings

05 A pinch of black pepper, about 1/4 teaspoon
06 1/4 teaspoon of dried oregano
07 A little salt, about 1/4 teaspoon

Instructions

Step 01

Pop some olive oil in a pan and get it nice and hot over medium-high heat.

Step 02

Toss in the chopped garlic, and stir it for around 3 minutes until it smells amazing.

Step 03

Add the flour (begin with 2 tablespoons) along with the salt, pepper, and oregano. Stir it all together.

Step 04

Quickly pour in all the milk or half-and-half while whisking constantly. Keep going until it starts bubbling and thickening, which'll take about 3 minutes.

Notes

  1. Need thicker sauce? Stir a bit of flour with milk to make a paste, then mix it into the bubbling sauce.
  2. This works great as a topping for pizza, pasta, and more.

Tools You'll Need

  • A frying pan or skillet
  • A whisk for mixing

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy due to the milk or half-and-half
  • Contains gluten from the flour

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 99
  • Total Fat: 9 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 4 g
  • Protein: 2 g