Buzz
During my college years, my roommate and I often ordered what we dubbed a “hangover pizza.” The pizza itself wasn’t anything special—usually a pepperoni from Papa John’s—mainly because we were hooked on the garlic sauce. It also helped that the local greasy pizza joint (Five Star) was way too harsh on an already queasy stomach. (Five Star was perfect for late-night drunken cravings, but a nightmare the next day after a hangover.)
I don’t eat Papa John’s as much these days, but recently, I found myself craving that familiar, mass-produced garlic sauce. So, I ended up ordering a hangover pizza—without the hangover—and requested extra garlic sauce. One of those little tubs had been sitting in my fridge for weeks, and although I had planned to use it with a Totino’s party pizza, I decided to try turning it into a sinful garlic compound butter instead.
And yes, it worked—and it was glorious.
Mixing a tub of Papa John’s Garlic Sauce with a stick of salted butter creates a garlic butter that’s both bold and a little over-the-top. It has that rich, garlicky depth typical of mass-produced products, and you can’t help but feel a bit guilty while indulging. But that’s part of the charm. The two fats compete for your taste buds, and just when the garlic sauce starts to take center stage, the butter steps in with a reassuring, "I’m just your typical garlic butter!" It’s a playful, indulgent experience.
I went with salted butter because I rarely buy the unsalted kind, but if you're sensitive to salt, you might want to opt for unsalted butter and add salt to taste. That way, you have more control over the sodium levels.
As with any compound butter, make sure both ingredients are at room temperature before you begin. This helps the butter whip up smooth and glossy rather than greasy or lumpy. Cut the butter into four pieces, then add it to a food processor with the garlic sauce. Blend everything together until fully combined. You can use it for a wild take on garlic bread, fry an egg in it, or dip your hangover pizza in it for an elevated—though still authentic—hangover pizza experience.
