This cheesy Dill Pickle Pizza Recipe is a family favorite. Made in 35 minutes, it’s a pizza that everyone go totally crazy for!
I’m obsessed with this dill pickle pizza recipe with Alfredo sauce you guys! The combination of garlic-Parmesan white sauce, melty mozzarella and sliced dill pickles is kind of outrageous and SO good.
It’s such a fun and unique way to serve pizza – you’ve got to try it. If you love pickle pizza, I’m pretty sure you’re going to love my Creamy white naan pizza, these Oven-baked buffalo chicken taquitos with cilantro lime dressing, and my Air-fried big mac taquitos!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
Do pickles on pizza sound kind of crazy to you? If you’re into pickles – you’re going to LOVE this recipe.
This Dill Pickle Pizza Recipe is unique and wildly delicious – it’s a showstopper.
You’ll love how quickly it comes together, perfect for a fun weeknight dinner or easy appetizer. It’s also a great option if you don’t want to make a tomato-based pizza.
INGREDIENTS
You can make your own pizza dough if you like but I usually just buy a store-bought pizza base for convenience.
I recommend using freshly minced garlic for the most “ gourmet pizza” taste possible, rather than powdered or pre-chopped garlic.
Grab a jar of your favorite dill pickles, already sliced to save time. If you’re slicing them yourself, make sure they’re thinly sliced.
I really like adding the crushed red pepper flakes for some heat but you can leave these off your Dill Pickle Pizza Recipe if you prefer.
A point on the mozzarella – I recommend freshly shredding the mozzarella cheese. Store-bought, shredded cheese usually has an anti-caking agent on it that makes it less “meltable”.
HOW TO MAKE DILL PICKLE PIZZA
Here is my easy, step-by-step guide to this bubbly Dill Pickle Pizza Recipe:
Prepare the base for the dill pickle pizza recipe with Alfredo sauce
Roll out the dough onto a floured surface.
Make the sauce
Melt butter in a saucepan and add the garlic. Saute it gently for about 1 minute. Add the cream and let it simmer gently for a minute or two before adding the Parmesan. Stir over the heat until the sauce thickens.
Season with salt and pepper. Set aside off the heat.
Put together the pizza with pickles
Place the pizza base onto a prepared baking sheet or pizza stone. Spread the white sauce over the base, leaving a little space around the edge – like a border.
Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the sauce and then arrange the pickle slices over the mozzarella.
Bake the dill pickle pizza at 450°F for 12 to 15 minutes or until the crust is golden and cheesy. Garnish with chopped, fresh dill and some crushed red pepper flakes. Dive in!
SUBSTITUTIONS AND VARIATIONS
Here are a couple of ingredient swaps that work well in this pickle pizza recipe:
- Make mini dill pickle pizzas!
- Make it gluten free. Use a gluten free base or pizza dough. You could also use a cauliflower crust!
- Cheese swaps: Go for sharp cheddar or a cheddar + mozzarella blend. Provolone or fontina cheese are also delicious – both are melty and a little nutty.
STORAGE AND MAKE AHEAD
You can make the white sauce up to 3 days ahead. You’ll need to cool it completely and then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat it gently on the stove before using it.
If you’re using store bought dough, it should last in the fridge for about 2 days. You can also shred the mozzarella ahead so it’s ready to go.
Like any pizza, leftovers are good for a few days. Pop them into the fridge in a box or an airtight container.
SERVING AND PAIRING
Partner your pizza with something light like this Mango and Avocado Salad with Creamy Pine Nut Dressing.
You can also pair your pizza with a simple green salad or a classic Greek salad.
I like to serve this Pickle Pizza Recipe straight out of the oven – as hot as possible so that the sauce and cheese are gooey.
TIPS
Okay, I’ve learned a few handy tips for making the very best version of this dill pickle pizza recipe with alfredo sauce:
- Pat your pickles dry. This helps prevent a soggy pizza base.
- Shred your own cheese. As mentioned earlier, the anti-caking on pre-shredded cheese prevents the cheese from melting smoothly.
- Hot oven. For crispy crust and bubbly cheese, bake this Dill Pickle Pizza Recipe in a blistering hot oven (450F).
- Don’t overload the pizza. Keep the toppings balanced. This is just my preference, but don’t overload the pizza with too much sauce or too many pickles.
- Add a fresh garnish. I love a little sprinkle of red pepper flakes and fresh dill.
COMMON MISTAKES WHEN MAKING THE DILL PICKLE PIZZA RECIPE
These are a few issues that you can easily avoid running into:
- The crust is too soggy: Dry your pickles well, use less sauce, and preheat your baking sheet or pizza stone to give the crust a jump start.
- The sauce is too thin: Simmer your sauce a little longer or add in some extra Parmesan.
- The pickles slid off the pizza. Yikes! Press them down lightly into the cheese so they stay put.
- Flavor is a bit bland. Add a little garlic powder or a dusting of Parmesan cheese on top. Even a splash of pickle juice before serving will make a difference.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This is based on personal preference, but I prefer using classic dill pickles. Spicy dill or garlic pickles are delicious too.
Yes, this recipe is already vegetarian-friendly. Just check that your Parmesan is made without animal rennet if you’re following strict vegetarian guidelines.
If you’re a fan of cold pizza, dill pickle pizza holds up well thanks to its tangy, creamy base.
Definitely. Crispy bacon, ham, or even shredded chicken make yummy add-ons.
I don’t recommend freezing leftover Dill Pickle Pizza Recipe as the moisture in the pickles can make the crust soggy when reheated.
You can substitute with full-fat milk, half-and-half, or a mix of cream cheese and milk. The sauce may be a little thinner, but still tasty.
OTHER FAMILY FAVORITE RECIPES TO TRY
Crispy Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Lime Elote
Air Fried Cheesesteak Inspired Taquitos
Dill Pickle Pizza
Ingredients
For the Pizza Dough
- 1 pound pizza dough homemade or store-bought
For the Sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For Toppings
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 cup dill pickles sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh dill chopped (for garnish)
- Crushed red pepper flakes optional, for added heat
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to the temperature specified for your pizza dough (usually around 450°F or 230°C).
- Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness. You can make one large pizza or divide the dough to make smaller individual-sized pizzas.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until it’s fragrant but not browned.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low.
- Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese while continuously stirring. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens and the cheese is fully melted.
- Season the sauce with salt, and black pepper. Stir well and remove it from the heat.
- Transfer the rolled-out dough to a pizza stone or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Spread the white sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce.
- Arrange the sliced dill pickles over the cheese.
- Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown, and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Remove the pickle pizza from the oven and let it cool for a minute or two.
- Garnish with freshly chopped dill and, if you like it spicy, some crushed red pepper flakes.
- Slice your pickle pizza and serve it hot.
