White Garlic and Spinach Pizza with Béchamel
A tomato-free pizza with creamy garlic béchamel, wilted spinach and two cheeses, golden and bubbling at the edges.
Made with White bechamel sauce and Pizza dough. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.38 a head
- Oven250°C (230°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 250°C (230°C fan) with a heavy baking tray inside for 30 minutes.
- 2
Wilt the spinach in a large pan with the olive oil for 2 minutes. Tip into a sieve and press out as much water as possible, then chop.
- 3
Warm your ready made béchamel sauce (see the base recipe) in a small pan and stir in the garlic, nutmeg and lemon zest. Cook for 1 minute.
1 min - 4
Divide your ready made pizza dough (see the base recipe) in half. Stretch each piece to about 30 cm on baking paper dusted with semolina.
- 5
Spread the garlic béchamel over each base, leaving a 2 cm rim. Top with spinach, mozzarella, parmesan and chilli flakes.
- 6
Slide onto the hot tray and bake for 8 to 10 minutes until golden and bubbling.
Tips
- Squeeze the spinach hard. Wet spinach turns white sauce watery on the pizza.
- Do not overload the béchamel. A thin layer gives a creamy base and lets the crust crisp.
- Add a handful of roasted mushrooms or cooked pancetta for a heartier pizza.
Storing and freezing
Best the same day. Cool leftovers within 1 to 2 hours, keep covered in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Why use béchamel instead of tomato sauce?
Béchamel gives a mild, creamy base, as in many Italian-American white pizzas. It carries garlic and cheese well, and it suits people who find tomato sauce too acidic.
Can I use ricotta?
Yes. Dot 100 g of ricotta over the pizza with the spinach for a creamier, more traditional white pizza.
Can I make it dairy free?
Not with this béchamel, which uses milk and butter. Use a dairy free white sauce made with oat milk and dairy free spread, and a dairy free melting cheese.
More made with white bechamel sauce
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
