White Zucchini Pizza with Garlic Cream Sauce

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If your garden is overflowing with summer squash, this easy zucchini pizza is a fresh way to use your harvest. I swap heavy red sauce for a garlicky cream base that brings out the summer flavor of this light and delicious meatless pizza.

zucchini pizza from Cleveland cooking. a side view of the zucchini pizza by Cleveland cooking. The garlic cream sauce on a airy pizza dough with zucchini slices.

Why This Meatless Pizza Works

Save Money: Uses seasonal produce that is often very affordable or free if you garden.
Save Time: Ready in under 30 minutes using store-bought dough.
Great Taste: The garlic cream sauce offers a restaurant-quality flavor at home.
Meatless Pizza: A light option on pizza night while still satisfying.

Here is What You Will Need:

Pizza Dough: Using 00 flour creates a traditional texture, while store-bought dough keeps things fast.
Garlic Cream Sauce: This acts as a rich, savory base that complements the mild flavor of the squash.
Zucchini: Small zucchini have fewer seeds and less moisture, making them ideal for a crisp pizza. If you have giant zucchini from your garden, they can sometimes be dry or mealy. For the best flavor, I follow the King Arthur Baking guide and try to use 8-inch squash when possible.
Parmesan Cheese: Provides a salty, nutty finish that browns beautifully in the oven.

The Dough Options

Here is a link to my pizza dough recipe. I suggest you use 00 flour for the dough. All-purpose flour will work fine though. 00 flour is available at most grocery stores. Grocery stores also offer pizza dough that is already made. So you have a few options for the dough.

Slicing the Zucchini

To get the best results for your pizza, you should slice the zucchini as thinly as possible. Using a mandoline is the most efficient way to achieve paper-thin, uniform slices that soften beautifully in the oven without making the crust soggy. If you do not have one, a very sharp chef's knife works well; just take your time to keep the rounds consistent in thickness so they cook at the same rate.

Stay Safe When Using a Mandoline

When you use a mandoline to get those paper-thin zucchini slices, safety is the most important part of the process. This tool is incredibly helpful for keeping your slices uniform so they cook evenly on the pizza, but the blade is extremely sharp. Always use the safety guard that comes with the device to keep your fingers away from the edge.

Why Uniform Slices Matter for the Pizza

Even Cooking: Thin, consistent rounds ensure every piece of zucchini softens at the same rate during the 10-minute bake time.
Crispy Crust: Thick slices release more moisture, while thin slices allow steam to escape, keeping your pizza from getting soggy.
Easy Eating: Thinner vegetables stay in place better when you take a bite, making the meal more enjoyable for the whole family.

Making the Zucchini Pizza

Heat the oven: Set your oven to 425°F. If you have a pizza stone, place it inside now to get it hot.
Prep the sauce: Make the garlic cream sauce according to the linked recipe. Stir in the first portion of parmesan until it melts into the sauce.
Shape the dough: Roll or stretch your dough on a piece of parchment paper or a floured surface. Aim for an even thickness.
Top the pizza: Spread the garlic sauce in an even layer. Arrange the thin zucchini slices so they slightly overlap, then top with the remaining parmesan.
Bake and rotate: Bake for 10 minutes. Halfway through, rotate the pan to ensure even browning. If the edges aren't golden yet, give it another 2 to 3 minutes.

Like this pizza? Try my honey Sriracha cauliflower pizza!

FAQ's

What makes this zucchini pizza a "lighter" option

This pizza uses fresh, thinly sliced zucchini instead of heavy meat toppings, and a lighter garlic cream sauce, making it a fresh, seasonal, and less heavy alternative to traditional pizzas.

What kind of pizza dough should I use for this recipe?

You have several options: you can use homemade pizza dough (00 flour or all-purpose flour works), or for ultimate convenience, store-bought pizza dough is also perfectly fine.

How do I prepare the zucchini for this pizza?

For best results, slice the zucchini as thinly as possible. A mandoline makes this task easy, but you can also use a very sharp knife (with caution!).

What are other uses for the garlic cream sauce in this recipe?

The garlic cream sauce is incredibly versatile. Besides this pizza, you can use it as a sauce for pasta, a spread for sandwiches, or even drizzled over burgers and other vegetables.

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