This garlic cheese pizza is a simple, golden pie built on garlic infused olive oil and a generous blanket of mozzarella and Parmesan.
There is no tomato sauce to cook, just aromatic oil brushed on the dough, so the flavors are bright, buttery, and unmistakably garlicky. It uses a store bought or homemade dough, a very hot oven, and about ten minutes of hands on work, which makes it a fast pizza night win.
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Why This Garlic Cheese Pizza Recipe Works
Garlic infused oil replaces the sauce. Letting the crushed garlic steep in olive oil softens its sharp bite and fills the oil with flavor, which then seeps into the crust as it bakes.
A very hot oven makes the crust. At 480 degrees F, the dough puffs and browns quickly while the cheese melts and picks up golden spots, giving crisp edges and a chewy middle.
Two cheeses work as a team. Mozzarella supplies the stretch and creamy melt, while Parmesan adds salty, nutty depth, so you can use very little salt in the oil.
Ingredients for Garlic Cheese Pizza
- 1 ball pizza dough, store bought or homemade, enough for one 12 inch pizza
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tsp crushed garlic, from 2 to 3 large cloves
- 1/8 tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella, tightly packed
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan, tightly packed
Pizza dough. Use classic yeasted dough, a quick no yeast dough, or good store bought dough. Let cold dough sit out until it is easy to stretch.
Olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil carries the garlic flavor across the whole base. Use a fruity oil you enjoy.
Garlic. Crush it with a press or mash it into a paste with the side of a knife so it spreads evenly and does not burn in clumps.
Mozzarella. Shred it from a block for better melting. Pat very wet mozzarella dry so it does not water out the pizza.
Parmesan. Shred it fresh. It browns in the oven and adds a toasty, salty top note.
How to Make Garlic Cheese Pizza
1. Heat the oven Heat the oven to 480 degrees F and allow plenty of time for it to get fully hot.
2. Make the garlic oil Stir the olive oil and crushed garlic together in a small bowl and let it sit for about 10 minutes to infuse.
3. Shape the dough Roll or stretch the dough into a round and set it on a pizza pan.
4. Oil and season Spread the garlic oil and all the garlic over the dough, leaving the rim clean. Sprinkle with the salt.
5. Add the cheese Scatter the Parmesan and mozzarella evenly over the oil. If using a no yeast dough, lightly brush the bare crust with a little extra oil.
6. Bake Bake for 8 minutes, turning the pan after 4 minutes, until the cheese has golden spots. Slice and serve right away.
How to Serve Garlic Cheese Pizza
Serve the pizza straight from the oven, sliced into wedges, with chili flakes at the table for anyone who wants heat. An Italian house salad and a side of air fryer asparagus round out the plate, and a cold glass of strawberry pineapple mojito makes it a gathering. For a bigger gathering, put out a pitcher of blueberry mojito punch as well.
How to Store and Reheat Garlic Cheese Pizza
Cool leftover slices and refrigerate them in an airtight container within 2 hours. They keep for up to 3 days. Reheat the slices on a hot tray in the oven or in a covered skillet until the cheese melts and the center reaches 165 degrees F, which keeps the crust crisp better than a microwave. For longer storage, wrap slices individually and freeze them for up to 2 months.
Tips and Variations for Garlic Cheese Pizza
Let the oil sit. The longer the garlic rests in the oil, the milder and more fragrant it becomes. Even 10 minutes helps.
Keep the rim clean. Leave a thin border without garlic so it does not burn.
Preheat the pan. A hot pizza pan or stone gives the crust a crisper bottom.
Turn the pan. Ovens heat unevenly, and a half turn at the halfway mark gives even browning.
Add herbs. Scatter chopped fresh parsley or basil after baking for color.
Try a topping. Thin slices of tomato or mushroom, or a little pepperoni, can join the cheese.
Make a dipping sauce. Serve warm marinara on the side for dipping the crust.
Store dough safely. Keep dough covered and cold until shaping, and for general food safety habits in the kitchen see the Texas AgriLife Extension food safety guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Garlic Cheese Pizza
What is garlic cheese pizza?
It is a white pizza made with garlic infused olive oil instead of tomato sauce, topped with mozzarella and Parmesan.
Can I make garlic cheese pizza with store bought dough?
Yes. Store bought dough works well. Let it rest at room temperature until it stretches easily, then follow the same steps.
How do I keep garlic cheese pizza from burning?
Crush the garlic finely, mix it with the oil, spread it evenly, and keep the crust clean. Turn the pan halfway through baking.
Which dough works well?
Classic yeasted dough gives a chewy crust. A quick no yeast dough is fastest, and both bake well at high heat.
Can I add other toppings?
Yes. Keep toppings light and dry, such as sliced mushrooms, tomatoes, or pepperoni, so the base stays crisp.
Garlic Cheese Pizza
Equipment
- Pizza pan
- Small bowl
- Garlic press
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 ball pizza dough enough for one 12 inch pizza
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tsp garlic crushed, from 2 to 3 large cloves
- ⅛ tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup mozzarella shredded, tightly packed
- ½ cup Parmesan shredded, tightly packed
Instructions
Cooking
- Heat. Heat the oven to 480 degrees F.
- Infuse. Mix the oil and garlic and let them stand about 10 minutes.
- Shape. Stretch the dough into a round on a pizza pan.
- Top. Spread the garlic oil over the dough, leaving the rim bare, add the salt, and cover with Parmesan and mozzarella.
- Bake. Bake 8 minutes, rotating the pan after 4, until golden spots appear on the cheese.
