Marco’s Pizza is a popular pizza chain known for its delicious pizza topped with a signature white sauce. Customers often wonder – what is that tasty white sauce made of? In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the key ingredients and flavor profile of Marco’s famous white sauce. Whether you’re a Marco’s fan wondering how to recreate their sauce at home or just curious about what gives it that distinctive flavor, read on to learn all about this unique pizza topping.
The Main Ingredients
Marco’s white sauce is a creamy, tangy blend of several key ingredients:
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise forms the base of Marco’s white sauce. Adding mayo provides a rich, eggy creaminess and helps bind the sauce together. Marco’s likely uses a high-quality real mayonnaise without too much added sugar.
Sour Cream
Sour cream adds a tangy flavor twang and luxurious mouthfeel. The sour cream cuts through the richness of the mayo with its signature sour dairy taste. Marco’s white sauce tastes like it contains a good amount of full-fat sour cream.
Buttermilk
Buttermilk provides even more tanginess with its acidic flavor. The buttermilk gives the sauce a pleasantly tart edge. Marco’s white sauce has a pronounced buttermilk twang.
Garlic
No great sauce is complete without garlic! Marco’s white sauce contains generous amounts of garlic powder or minced garlic. This adds an aromatic garlic punch and savory depth.
Onion
Like the garlic, onion amplifies the savory umami flavor of the sauce. Marco’s likely uses onion powder or dried minced onion. Onion provides a sweet, mellow compliment to the sharp garlic.
Salt
Salt is added to balance and enhance the other flavors. The salt also gives the sauce a mouthwatering quality. Marco’s white sauce tastes like it has just the right amount of salt to make all the ingredients pop.
Black Pepper
A touch of black pepper adds subtle heat and a little spicy kick. It provides another layer of flavor and accentuates the creaminess of the sauce.
Spices
Marco’s white sauce also seems to be seasoned with an Italian herb blend. Oregano, basil, parsley, and other dried herbs give it an Italian-inspired flavor profile. These spices add complexity while allowing the other ingredients to still shine.
The Flavor Profile
When combined, these ingredients create a sauce with a distinctive creamy, tangy, savory, and slightly spicy flavor. Here’s how the ingredients come together on your palate:
– Creamy: from the rich mayonnaise and sour cream base
– Tangy: from the sour cream and buttermilk
– Savory: from the garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning
– Salty: from added salt to balance the flavors
– Spicy: from the black pepper and herbs
The result is an indulgently rich yet bright tasting sauce that complements pizza perfectly. It has a luxuriously smooth mouthfeel with layers of complementary flavors.
How Marco’s Makes Their Sauce
While the exact ratios are a trade secret, Marco’s likely follows a process like this to make their signature sauce:
1. Combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, and seasonings in a large mixing bowl.
2. Whisk thoroughly to emulsify and create a smooth, creamy base.
3. Add the minced garlic and onion and continue to blend.
4. Gradually mix in salt, black pepper, and any dried Italian herbs.
5. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or herbs to achieve the right flavor balance.
6. Refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to meld.
7. Remove from fridge and give one final mix before using as pizza sauce.
This simple mixing and chilling process allows the ingredients to fully blend together into Marco’s irresistible white sauce.
How to Make Marco’s White Sauce at Home
Want to recreate Marco’s coveted white sauce for homemade pizzas? Here’s a recipe to try:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, garlic, onion powder, oregano, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Whisk vigorously until fully blended and smooth.
- For best flavor, cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Give the sauce one final stir before drizzling over pizza crust.
- Top pizza as desired and bake until crust is crisp and cheese is melted.
- Slice, serve, and enjoy your homemade Marco’s copycat pizza!
Nutrition Information
Marco’s white sauce is an indulgent, flavorful topping, but how does it measure up nutrition-wise? Here is the nutrition information for a 2 tablespoon serving of a recipe replicating their sauce:
Calories and Macronutrients
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 140 |
| Total Fat | 14g |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 20mg |
| Sodium | 340mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 2g |
| Protein | 1g |
Vitamins and Minerals
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Vitamin A | 180IU |
| Vitamin C | 0.4mg |
| Calcium | 50mg |
| Iron | 0.1mg |
As you can see, Marco’s white sauce is high in fat from the mayo and sour cream, providing 140 calories in a 2 tbsp serving. It also contains a whopping 14 grams of total fat, though not all from unhealthy saturated fat. The sauce provides vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron as well.
Overall, Marco’s signature sauce should be enjoyed in moderation as part of an otherwise balanced diet. Drizzled over an occasional pizza slice, its rich creamy flavor is an indulgent treat.
Conclusion
Marco’s famous white pizza sauce is a one-of-a-kind blend of creaminess, tanginess, and savory flavor. With a base of mayo, sour cream, and buttermilk amped up with garlic, onion, pepper, and herbs, this sauce makes Marco’s pizzas stand out from the crowd. While high in fat and best enjoyed occasionally, it’s a delicious indulgence that sets Marco’s apart. Next time you enjoy a pizza from Marco’s, savor the creamy, aromatic flavor of their special house white sauce.