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If you love the combination of tangy dill pickles, creamy garlic sauce, and plenty of melted cheese, this dill pickle pizza deserves a spot on your next pizza night menu. Instead of traditional tomato sauce, this homemade pizza starts with a rich white garlic sauce made with butter, heavy cream, sour cream, garlic, and onion powder.
Thinly sliced dill pickles are layered over the sauce and paired with mozzarella and finely grated Parmesan. The result is a golden, cheesy pizza with a creamy center, crisp edges, and plenty of bright pickle flavor.
This dill pickle pizza recipe is also easy to customize. Add fresh dill for a herbaceous finish, sprinkle on red pepper flakes for heat, or drizzle your favorite hot sauce over each slice.
Why You’ll Love This Dill Pickle Pizza
There is plenty of contrast in every bite of this pizza. The creamy sauce is rich and savory, while the dill pickles bring acidity and crunch. Mozzarella melts into a stretchy layer, and Parmesan adds a deeper salty, nutty flavor.
A few things make this pickle pizza recipe especially appealing:
- The creamy garlic sauce is made from simple ingredients.
- Thinly sliced pickles give every slice plenty of tangy flavor.
- Mozzarella and Parmesan create a rich, cheesy topping.
- The pizza bakes in about 10–15 minutes once assembled.
- Fresh dill, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce can easily customize the finished pizza.
If you’re building a homemade pizza night around several flavors, you can also try these Sweet Potato Pizza with BBQ Chicken for a savory-sweet combination or serve Homemade Pepperoni Pizza Bombs as a fun appetizer.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Creamy Garlic Sauce
Butter: Butter provides the rich foundation for the white sauce and helps gently cook the garlic.
Garlic: One minced garlic clove adds savory flavor without overpowering the pickles.
Flour: Flour thickens the sauce so it spreads easily over the dough and stays in place during baking.
Heavy cream: Heavy cream creates the rich, smooth texture that makes this garlic dill pickle pizza distinctive.
Sour cream: Sour cream adds a subtle tang that complements the dill pickles.
Onion powder: A small amount gives the sauce extra savory depth.
Salt and pepper: Season carefully because the Parmesan and pickles already contribute salt.
For the Pizza
Pizza dough: Use approximately 1 pound of pizza dough. Homemade or store-bought dough can both work.
Dill pickles: Thinly sliced dill pickles are best because they distribute evenly across the crust.
Mozzarella: Grated mozzarella provides the classic stretchy, melted cheese layer.
Parmesan: Finely grated Parmesan adds a sharper, savory flavor and helps the top develop golden spots as it bakes.
For Serving
Fresh chopped dill adds brightness. Red pepper flakes or hot sauce are optional for anyone who enjoys some heat.
How to Make Dill Pickle Pizza
Make the Garlic Cream Sauce
Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently.
Add the flour and cook for 2–3 minutes while stirring constantly. Slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring as you add it to keep the sauce smooth.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until it thickens. Remove the skillet from the heat, then stir in the sour cream and onion powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Set the sauce aside to cool slightly while you prepare the pizza dough.
Prepare the Dough
Heat the oven to 450°F. If you’re using a pizza stone, place it inside the oven while it preheats.
Roll the pizza dough into your preferred shape and thickness. A thinner crust will produce a crisper pizza, while a thicker crust will give you a softer and chewier bite.
Transfer the prepared dough to your pizza stone, baking surface, or another suitable pizza pan.
Add the Sauce and Pickles
Spread the creamy garlic sauce evenly across the dough, leaving a small border around the edge.
Arrange some of the thinly sliced dill pickles over the sauce.
Next, distribute the grated mozzarella evenly over the pizza and sprinkle the Parmesan on top.
Finish with another layer of pickle slices. Using two layers helps spread the pickle flavor throughout the pizza instead of concentrating it in only a few bites.
Bake Until Golden
Bake the pizza for approximately 10–15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the dough and your oven.
The crust should be cooked through, while the mozzarella should be fully melted with lightly golden areas across the top.
Remove the pizza from the oven and let it rest briefly before slicing.
Finish with chopped fresh dill and, if desired, red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
Tips for the Best Dill Pickle Pizza
Pat Very Juicy Pickles Dry
Dill pickles naturally contain a lot of moisture. If your pickle slices are especially wet, gently pat them dry with paper towels before adding them to the pizza.
This simple step can help prevent the crust from becoming soggy.
Don’t Use Too Much Sauce
The garlic cream sauce is rich, so you only need a moderate layer. Too much sauce can make the center of the pizza heavy and interfere with a crisp crust.
Choose the Right Mozzarella
Low-moisture shredded mozzarella is a practical choice for this pizza. It melts evenly and contributes plenty of cheese without adding excessive moisture.
Preheat the Oven Properly
A thoroughly preheated oven helps the dough begin cooking immediately. If you’re using a pizza stone, allow the stone to heat with the oven before baking.
Easy Variations
Make It Extra Garlicky
For a stronger garlic flavor, increase the amount of fresh garlic slightly or add a small amount of garlic powder to the sauce.
Add Some Heat
Red pepper flakes provide gentle heat, while hot sauce gives you more intensity. Add either one after baking so you can adjust each slice individually.
Try a Different Cheese Combination
Mozzarella is the main cheese here, but you can replace a small portion with provolone or Monterey Jack for a different flavor and melt.
Add More Fresh Herbs
Fresh dill is the natural finishing herb, but a small amount of chopped parsley can also add freshness.
What to Serve With Pickle Pizza
Because the pizza has a creamy sauce and salty cheese, lighter sides can balance the meal.
A crisp green salad with a simple vinaigrette is an easy option. Cucumber salad, fresh vegetables, or a crunchy slaw can also provide a refreshing contrast.
For a casual pizza dinner, serve slices alongside extra dill pickles and your favorite hot sauce.
How to Store Leftover Pizza
Allow leftover pizza to cool and refrigerate it promptly in an airtight container.
For food safety, the USDA recommends keeping refrigerated leftovers at 40°F or below and generally using them within 3–4 days. You can review the USDA’s guidance for safely handling leftovers for additional food-safety information.
Avoid leaving cooked pizza at room temperature for extended periods. Perishable foods should not remain at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or more than 1 hour when the surrounding temperature is above 90°F.
How to Reheat Dill Pickle Pizza
The oven or a skillet is usually preferable when you want to bring some crispness back to the crust.
For skillet reheating, place a slice in a dry skillet over medium heat and warm it until the bottom becomes crisp and the cheese is hot.
You can also reheat slices in an oven or toaster oven.
If you use a microwave, heat the pizza in short intervals. The crust will generally be softer than when reheated in an oven or skillet.
For food safety, leftovers should be reheated thoroughly. The USDA recommends reheating leftovers to 165°F. More information is available in the USDA’s safe reheating guidance.
Can You Freeze Dill Pickle Pizza?
Yes, leftover pizza can be frozen, although the texture of the pickles and crust may change slightly after freezing and reheating.
Wrap individual slices tightly and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. When you’re ready to eat them, thaw the slices in the refrigerator and then reheat them in the oven or skillet.
For more information about handling frozen leftovers, see the USDA’s food-safety guidance for freezing and thawing leftovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What pickles are best for dill pickle pizza?
Use crisp dill pickles with a flavor you enjoy. Dill pickle chips or whole dill pickles sliced thinly both work well.
Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Yes. Store-bought pizza dough is a convenient option and works well for this homemade pickle pizza. Allow refrigerated dough to come closer to room temperature if necessary so it is easier to stretch.
How do I keep pickle pizza from getting soggy?
Pat excess moisture from the pickle slices, avoid using too much sauce, and bake the pizza in a thoroughly preheated oven. Thinly sliced pickles also help distribute moisture more evenly.
Can I make the garlic sauce ahead?
Yes. Prepare the sauce in advance, allow it to cool, cover it, and refrigerate it. Bring it back to a spreadable consistency before assembling the pizza.
What cheese works best with dill pickles?
Mozzarella is an excellent base because it melts smoothly and has a mild flavor. Parmesan adds savory depth, while provolone or Monterey Jack can be used for variations.
Final Thoughts
This dill pickle pizza takes the familiar comfort of homemade pizza and gives it a bright, tangy twist. The creamy garlic sauce creates a rich foundation, mozzarella provides plenty of melt, Parmesan adds savory depth, and thinly sliced dill pickles bring the acidity that keeps every bite balanced.
Fresh dill makes the finished pizza even brighter, while red pepper flakes or hot sauce can add a little heat. With a short ingredient list and a quick bake, this cheesy dill pickle pizza makes an easy choice for an unconventional pizza night.
Dill Pickle Pizza
Creamy garlic dill pickle pizza topped with mozzarella, Parmesan, fresh dill, and tangy sliced dill pickles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the sauce:
2 Tbsp butter
1 garlic clove, minced
1 Tbsp flour
1 cup heavy cream
2 Tbsp sour cream
1/4 tsp onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
For the pizza:
1 lb pizza dough
3 dill pickles, thinly sliced
2 cups grated mozzarella
1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan
To serve:
Fresh dill, chopped
Red pepper flakes and/or hot sauce
Instructions
1. Melt butter and cook garlic for 1 minute.
2. Stir in flour and cook 2–3 minutes.
3. Slowly add cream and simmer until thickened.
4. Remove from heat; stir in sour cream and onion powder.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Heat oven to 450°F and preheat pizza stone if using.
7. Roll out pizza dough.
8. Spread sauce over dough.
9. Add pickles, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
10. Top with another layer of pickles.
11. Bake 10–15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
12. Garnish with fresh dill and red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
Notes
Pat very juicy pickles dry before using.
Use low-moisture mozzarella for a better texture.
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3–4 days.
Reheat leftovers to 165°F.
Add hot sauce or red pepper flakes for extra heat.
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