Pizza and pasta lovers often wonder if the white sauce used on white pizzas is the same thing as alfredo sauce. At first glance, these two sauces can appear quite similar – they are both creamy, white-colored sauces without tomatoes. However, there are some distinct differences between white pizza sauce and alfredo sauce in terms of ingredients, texture, and taste.
White Pizza Sauce Ingredients
A basic white pizza sauce is made from just a few ingredients:
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Parmesan or romano cheese
- Spices like oregano, basil, or black pepper
- Salt
Some recipes may also include:
- Milk or cream
- Ricotta cheese
- Lemon juice
- Onion or shallots
But in general, a white pizza sauce starts with olive oil, garlic, cheese, and spices as the core ingredients.
Alfredo Sauce Ingredients
An authentic alfredo sauce is also made from just a few base ingredients:
- Butter
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper
Some modern versions add:
- Garlic
- Onion
- Flour
- Milk
But the original, classic alfredo sauce uses just butter, cream, parmesan, and seasoning.
Key Differences in Ingredients
When you compare the ingredients lists, two key differences stand out between white pizza sauce and alfredo sauce:
- White pizza sauce is oil-based, while alfredo sauce is butter-based.
- White pizza sauce uses little or no cream, while cream is the star ingredient in alfredo.
So while both sauces rely on cheese for flavor, the dairy and fat components come from very different sources. This impacts the nutrition profile, texture, and taste.
Nutritional Differences
The different fat sources lead to some notable nutritional differences between the sauces:
| Nutrition per 1/4 cup | White Pizza Sauce | Alfredo Sauce |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 60 | 206 |
| Fat | 5g | 20g |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 12g |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 2g |
| Protein | 2g | 2g |
As you can see, alfredo sauce contains over 3 times more calories and 4 times more fat than white pizza sauce. The saturated fat content is a whopping 12 times higher in alfredo sauce!
So while they may look similar, alfredo sauce is a much heavier and richer sauce than white pizza sauce nutritionally.
Texture Differences
The ingredients also impact the texture of the sauces:
- White pizza sauce has a smooth, silky texture from the olive oil and cheese. But it’s on the thinner side since it contains little to no cream.
- Alfredo sauce has a luxuriously thick, velvety, creamy texture thanks to the generous amount of butter and cream.
Alfredo coats the noodles in a rich, indulgent way. White pizza sauce has more of a light, thin consistency in comparison.
Flavour Differences
Of course, the ingredients greatly affect the flavor as well:
- White pizza sauce tends to taste robust, savory, and salty from the cheese and spices. The olive oil adds a fruity, peppery flavor.
- Alfredo sauce tastes ultra creamy and buttery up front. The cheese adds a nutty, salty parmesan flavor. The cream makes it taste rich and decadent.
White pizza sauce has a sharper cheese taste, while alfredo sauce is known for its ultra-creamy mouthfeel. The butter also gives alfredo a more mellow, subtle flavor.
Uses for Each Sauce
Due to the differences in ingredients, texture, and flavor, white pizza sauce and alfredo sauce are used in different ways in cooking:
- White pizza sauce is drizzled sparingly over pizza crust to add flavor without making the crust soggy. It’s also used as a dip for breadsticks and garlic knots.
- Alfredo sauce coats long pastas like fettuccine, linguine, or tagliatelle. It’s meant to lavishly cover each strand in creamy goodness.
So white pizza sauce plays a supporting role as a light topping or dip, while alfredo sauce is the star of the show when paired with pasta.
Make Your Own Versions
Because of the very different ingredients involved, you wouldn’t substitute one sauce for the other in a recipe. But it’s easy to make homemade versions of each sauce!
Homemade White Pizza Sauce
Whip up this easy white sauce in just 10 minutes:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of salt
- Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Remove from heat and stir in the parmesan, ricotta, milk, oregano, basil, pepper and salt until smooth.
- Let cool slightly before drizzling over cooked pizzas or breads.
Homemade Alfredo Sauce
Make this restaurant-worthy alfredo in just 5 minutes:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Stir in the cream and parmesan. Season with nutmeg, salt and pepper.
- Cook and stir until hot and thickened, about 3-5 minutes.
- Toss with cooked pasta and serve immediately.
Conclusion
While white pizza sauce and alfredo sauce may seem interchangeable at first glance, they are actually quite different in terms of ingredients, nutrition, texture, and taste.
White pizza sauce is an oil-based sauce made with olive oil, garlic, spices, and just a little cheese. It has a thin, smooth consistency. Alfredo sauce is a classic butter and cream-based sauce with parmesan cheese. It has a thick, ultra creamy and decadent texture.
When making either sauce at home, be sure to use the right ingredients to achieve the correct flavor and mouthfeel. White pizza sauce can’t be substituted for alfredo sauce in pasta recipes, and vice versa. Now that you know the key differences between these two white sauces, you can master making both!