A perfectly creamy, tangy garlic sauce that elevates any pizza experience. This no-cook condiment transforms ordinary pizza into something extraordinary with its rich flavor profile and smooth texture.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This quick and easy garlic sauce requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor. Ready in just minutes with common pantry ingredients, it adds a gourmet touch to delivery pizza or homemade pies. The creamy texture with bold garlic notes and subtle herbs creates the perfect dipping companion for pizza crusts, breadsticks, and more. It’s customizable to your taste preferences and stores beautifully, making it ideal for meal prep or last-minute entertaining.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Mayonnaise forms the creamy base of this sauce, providing richness and a silky texture that perfectly complements pizza. Its neutral flavor allows the garlic to shine while adding body and a slight tanginess.
Sour cream balances the richness of mayonnaise with a pleasant tang that brightens the entire sauce. It adds a luxurious mouthfeel and helps create that perfect dippable consistency.
Garlic is the star of this sauce, providing that signature aromatic punch that pairs wonderfully with pizza. Fresh minced garlic offers the most vibrant flavor, but pre-minced garlic can work in a pinch.
Lemon juice adds brightness and cuts through the richness of the creamy ingredients. This acid component balances the flavors and enhances the overall taste profile.
Salt enhances all the flavor components and brings everything together. It helps to draw out the garlic’s intensity and balances the creaminess.
Black pepper contributes a subtle warmth and mild spice that complements the garlic without overwhelming it. Freshly ground offers the best flavor.
Dried oregano brings that classic pizza-parlor flavor profile that makes this sauce the perfect pizza companion. This herb adds an Italian-inspired note that ties everything together.
Directions
- In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise and sour cream, stirring until smooth and fully integrated.
- Add the minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano to the bowl.
- Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and the sauce has a uniform consistency.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop and meld together.
- Before serving, give the sauce a quick stir and transfer to a small serving bowl for dipping.
Servings and Timing
This recipe yields approximately 4 servings (about 3/4 cup total), making it perfect for a family pizza night. Each serving is approximately 90 calories.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Resting Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
The sauce can easily be doubled or tripled for larger gatherings. For best results, allow the full 30 minutes of refrigeration time for the flavors to develop, though in a pinch it can be served immediately.
Variations
Spicy Garlic Sauce: Add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for heat lovers.
Herb Garden Blend: Mix in 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped herbs like basil, parsley, and chives for a garden-fresh flavor.
Roasted Garlic Version: Substitute roasted garlic for a sweeter, more mellow garlic flavor that appeals to those who find raw garlic too pungent.
Greek-Style: Add 2 tablespoons of crumbled feta cheese and a teaspoon of fresh dill for a Mediterranean twist.
Ranch-Inspired: Include 1/4 teaspoon each of dried dill and onion powder for a garlic-ranch fusion.
Storage/Reheating
This garlic sauce stores exceptionally well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavors often improve after the first day as they continue to develop and meld together.
There’s no need to reheat this sauce as it’s designed to be served cold. Simply remove from the refrigerator about 10 minutes before serving to take the chill off for the best flavor experience.
If the sauce thickens too much during storage, you can thin it with a small splash of milk or a squeeze of lemon juice, then stir until it reaches your desired consistency.
Freezing is not recommended as the mayonnaise and sour cream base may separate upon thawing, resulting in an unpleasant texture.
FAQs
Can I make this garlic sauce dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute the sour cream with dairy-free yogurt or additional vegan mayonnaise. The taste will be slightly different but still delicious.
How long will this sauce keep in the refrigerator?
The sauce will keep well for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?
Yes, though the flavor won’t be as vibrant. Start with 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder and adjust to taste.
What else can I use this sauce for besides pizza?
This versatile sauce works great as a spread for sandwiches, a dip for vegetables or fries, a topping for baked potatoes, or a flavor enhancer for grilled meats.
Is there a lighter version of this sauce?
You can use light mayonnaise and low-fat sour cream to reduce calories. Greek yogurt can also replace some or all of the sour cream for a higher-protein option.
Can I make this sauce ahead of time for a party?
Absolutely! This sauce actually improves with time as the flavors meld. Make it up to 2 days in advance for the best flavor.
How can I make this sauce more kid-friendly?
For children sensitive to strong flavors, reduce the garlic to one clove and omit the black pepper. You can also add a teaspoon of honey for a touch of sweetness.
What’s the best way to serve this sauce at a gathering?
Serve in small individual ramekins for personal dipping or in a larger bowl with a small ladle for guests to serve themselves.
Can I add cheese to this sauce?
Yes, adding 2-3 tablespoons of finely grated Parmesan creates a delicious cheesy garlic sauce variation.
How thick should this sauce be?
The sauce should be thick enough to cling to a pizza crust when dipped but fluid enough to slowly drip off a spoon. Adjust thickness by adding more mayonnaise for thicker sauce or a splash of milk for thinner.
Conclusion
This creamy garlic sauce is the simple yet sophisticated touch that can transform an ordinary pizza night into something special. With its perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and savory notes, it’s sure to become a staple in your recipe collection. Beyond pizza, its versatility makes it a valuable addition to your culinary arsenal for elevating everything from vegetables to sandwiches. The best part? It comes together in minutes with minimal effort, proving that sometimes the simplest recipes deliver the most impressive results. Make a batch today and discover your new favorite condiment that friends and family will request again and again.
Print
Creamy Garlic Pizza Sauce
A creamy and flavorful garlic sauce perfect as a dipping sauce for pizza or breadsticks.
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and oregano.
- Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve as a dipping sauce for pizza or breadsticks.
Notes
- For a stronger garlic flavor, add an extra clove of garlic.
- This sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Universal
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 90 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
