Name: Epic Roasted Garlic Pizza Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 20 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 3 heads garlic; 1-2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil; Salt and black pepper, to taste; 2 tablespoons butter; 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour; ¾ cup whole milk; ½ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated; 2 heads roasted garlic, cloves squeezed out and smashed into a paste; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 1 ball pizza dough (16 oz); Semolina flour, for sprinkling on pizza peel; 8 oz provolone cheese, freshly grated; 4 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced; 1 head roasted garlic, cloves squeezed out (for topping); Protein of choice (optional): shredded chicken, bacon, Italian sausage, etc.; Fresh thyme leaves; Fresh basil leaves; Hot honey; Balsamic glaze; Red pepper flakes

Ingredients

3 heads garlic

1-2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

Salt and black pepper

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

¾ cup whole milk

½ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated

2 heads roasted garlic, cloves squeezed out and smashed into a paste

½ teaspoon each salt and pepper

1 ball pizza dough (16oz)

Semolina, for sprinkling on pizza peel

8oz provolone cheese, freshly grated

4oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced

1 head roasted garlic, cloves squeezed out

Protein of choice (optional): shredded chicken, bacon, Italian sausage, etc.

For serving: thyme leaves, fresh basil leaves, hot honey, balsamic glaze, red pepper flakes

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Slice the tops off garlic heads to expose the cloves. Drizzle with olive oil, rotate to coat, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap each head in foil and roast directly on the oven rack for 50-60 minutes until cloves are golden and soft. Let cool.

Step 2: Squeeze the cloves from two heads and mash into a paste for the sauce. Carefully separate cloves from the third head mostly intact for topping the pizza.

Step 3: To make the white sauce, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk for 1 minute to cook it. Reduce heat to medium-low and slowly whisk in milk, simmering for 1-2 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and whisk in roasted garlic paste, parmesan, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Step 4: Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees and place a pizza stone on the center rack to preheat.

Step 5: On a lightly floured surface, roll or stretch the dough into a circle. Sprinkle semolina flour on a pizza peel and place dough near the edge for easy sliding.

Step 6: Spread an even layer of garlic white sauce over the dough. Add your chosen protein if using, then sprinkle provolone cheese and distribute pieces of fresh mozzarella evenly. Nestle the whole roasted garlic cloves over the top.

Step 7: Slide the pizza carefully from the peel onto the preheated stone. Bake for 14-15 minutes until crust is golden and crispy and cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 8: Remove pizza from oven and garnish with fresh thyme, basil, and a drizzle of hot honey and/or balsamic glaze. Add red pepper flakes to taste.

Step 9: Slice and serve immediately. Enjoy your delicious, garlicky masterpiece!

Tips & Variations

For easier handling, rest the dough on your fists and gently stretch it before rolling. This helps maintain air bubbles for a lighter crust.

Substitute whole milk with half-and-half for a richer white sauce.

Add caramelized onions or roasted mushrooms for extra flavor and texture.

If you don’t have a pizza stone, using a preheated baking sheet works well.

FAQs

Can I make the roasted garlic paste ahead of time?

Yes, you can roast the garlic and prepare the paste up to 3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.

What if I don’t have a pizza stone?

You can use a preheated baking sheet instead. Place it in the oven while preheating and slide the pizza onto it just like you would a stone. It won’t create quite the same crust, but it works well.