This Garlic Parmesan Sauce recipe is the greatest way to pump up pasta or give homemade pizza a garlicky touch. This parmesan cream sauce is bursting with new flavors from the butter, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and fresh garlic. It's completely feasible on a hectic weeknight because it's ready in just fifteen minutes!
Around here, we adore a good cream sauce for entertaining as well as weekend dinners. This mildly flavored garlic parmesan cream sauce goes well with pasta, vegetables, and any protein.
Additionally, because this sauce is so rich, it works best with recipes that are a little simpler. Serving this with steak, potatoes, and roasted vegetables is one of our favorite combinations (see below).
However, it also tastes fantastic when combined with pasta, sautéed chicken or shrimp, and roasted vegetables. All things considered, this simple and quick sauce is one of my favorite things to make for parties and is also suitable for at-home date nights without requiring a lot of time spent in the kitchen.
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Why I Love This Recipe
What's not to adore about this mouthwatering combination of flavors? This sauce attracts a lot of people for a reason.
- Roasted garlic. If you have never tried roasted garlic, you are in for a treat. I enjoy creating roasted garlic as its own dip (see this recipe for Roasted Elephant Garlic!). Roasting the garlic enhances the flavor, minimizes bitterness, and results in an exceptionally exquisite garlic paste that works perfectly in this sauce.
- Simple ingredients. Don't get me wrong: I enjoy the ease of store-bought sauce and have used it several times. However, if you have the time, this copycat recipe is worth trying at home, not just for the fresh flavor, but also because you can control the components. There are no odd ingredients that you cannot pronounce!
- Versatile. This sauce is well-known for its use in parmesan garlic wings and pasta, but it may also be used as a dipping sauce for fries, a pizza sauce, a chicken marinade, or sprayed onto garlic knots.
Ingredients and Substitutions
This garlic parmesan sauce is made up of only a few basic components. The top players are as follows:
- Butter: In order to control the sodium content of this recipe, I prefer to use unsalted butter. Butter will provide the finest flavor, but olive oil can be used as a stand-in if that's all you have on hand.
- Garlic: It's essential to use fresh garlic! This sauce gets a significant flavor boost from freshly minced garlic that garlic powder simply cannot match. You can, however, use half a teaspoon or so of garlic powder for the freshly minced garlic if you are pressed for time. Try using roasted garlic in place of fresh if you want to make this sauce even better!
- Italian seasoning: Dried oregano, dried thyme, and dried rosemary can be used in place of Italian spice if you don't have any.
- Flour: For this recipe, use all-purpose flour. The flour adds a wonderful creamy texture and thickens the sauce.
- Vegetable Broth: This dish is best made with vegetable broth, but if vegetarianism isn't a concern for you, you can use chicken broth. By adding broth, this sauce becomes somewhat thinner and more creamy without being overly thick.
- Heavy Cream: This parmesan sauce will be incredibly velvety thanks to the heavy cream. You can use half and half in favor of heavy cream if you don't have any, but be aware that the sauce will probably be a little thinner.
- Parmesan Cheese: Since freshly grated cheese usually melts better, I prefer to grate my own wedge of Parmesan for this sauce. However, I prefer to use my food processor to grind tougher cheeses, like Parmesan, to avoid slipping and nicking my fingers on the grater (believe me, I did it once, and it hurt SO bad!).
- Parsley: Parsley gives the sauce a pleasant, herbaceous taste and a hint of color. For a somewhat different but still delectable taste, you may use freshly chopped basil in its place!
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- In a large sauté pan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and Italian spice and heat for approximately one minute after the butter melts and begins to crackle.
- Whisk in flour until thoroughly blended.
- Add broth and whisk until fully blended.
- Simmer for a few minutes until thickened.
- Combine heavy cream, shredded Parmesan cheese, and parsley. Whisk until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Cook over low heat, stirring until the sauce achieves the desired consistency.
- Season to taste with Kosher salt and black pepper, then serve with your favorite pasta or as the base for pizza!
Ways to Use Garlic Parmesan Sauce
You might be wondering what to eat with garlic parmesan sauce if you've never heard of it before! You're in luck, though, because I'll explain you how to savor this sauce, and I'm sure you'll adore it! Don't overthink things, then. This is such a great sauce recipe that I am eager for you to make it!
- Chicken: It goes without saying that you will love this sauce with wings. However, any type of chicken would taste fantastic with this sauce. Chicken can be roasted, grilled, or fried. Pour this sauce over your favorite chicken recipe.
- Pasta: The finest pasta sauce is made with this! Combine it with ravioli, tortellini, or your preferred pasta noodles.
- Fried Snacks and Sides: This sauce goes well with fried snacks. I think about chicken strips, fried vegetables like zucchini, and all kinds of french fries!
- Calzones, pizza, and bread: Garlic parmesan sauce is an excellent substitute for pizza sauce. Prepare chicken calzones or white pizzas. I also use it as a dipping sauce for my bread twists that I make myself.
Tips
- Since this recipe for creamy garlic Parmesan sauce comes together really quickly, it's ideal to have everything ready to go before you begin cooking. This will help to prevent overcooking or burning. On this one, mise en place is crucial.
- Throughout the cooking period, add a little seasoning. Since this recipe just calls for a few basic ingredients, adding salt and pepper will be essential to enhancing the flavors. To avoid over-seasoning, taste the sauce after adding salt and pepper each time.
- Once the sauce cools, it will thicken rapidly. While you're letting things simmer, keep this in mind. It will become thicker as it cools, so keep that in mind if it doesn't appear very thick. Additionally, you may thin it up with a little more cream or a dash of broth if it appears too thick after it's done! You could also thin it up by adding a little pasta water when you toss it with the pasta if you're serving it with pasta!
Frequently Asked Questions
No, garlic is not a component in traditional classic Alfredo sauce. White wine isn't typically added to Alfredo sauce, but it gives depth to my garlic parmesan cream sauce. Nonetheless, a lot of store-bought white sauce brands refer to their "alfredo sauce" as garlic parmesan alfredo sauce. Technicalities are actually all that are involved.
Nothing can effectively replace heavy cream and produce the same intensely creamy effect. To thicken the garlic butter mixture, you can add 1 tablespoon of flour and boil it with half and half or whole milk. This will produce bechamel, a garlicky white sauce that isn't a cream sauce. A small amount of cornstarch combined with water can be added to the sauce to thicken it to your preferred consistency if it isn't thick enough.
When there is insufficient liquid remaining to maintain the fat emulsified, the result is a fractured cream sauce, also known as separated. Adding a little extra heavy cream is the easiest method to re-unify the sauce. Try half and half, whole milk, a little white wine, or water if you don't have cream. Remove the sauce from the heat and whisk in enough liquid to re-unify the sauce.
Butter, heavy cream, garlic, flour, herbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper are the ingredients of garlic parmesan sauce. To create a creamy spread or dipping sauce, all the components are mixed together and heated.
Make-Ahead, Storage, Freezing, and Reheating
- Prepare Ahead: This sauce can be prepared up to a week in advance! Every few weeks, I prepare a batch and store it in the refrigerator for those hectic evenings when we need a simple spaghetti dish for supper. When paired with roasted broccoli and prepared linguine, dinner is complete!
- Storage: Keep this sauce in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container.
- Freezing: Garlic Parmesan sauce should not be frozen. It can occasionally change the texture, in my experience. Use this sauce as soon as possible after creating it.
- Reheating: In a small saucepan, reheat the Parmesan sauce over medium heat. To loosen it up, be sure to add some milk or cream. Cook, stirring often, until thoroughly heated. After reheating, add salt and pepper to taste.
If you tried this 15 minute Garlic Parmesan Sauce or any other recipe on my website, please feel free to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. And remember to tag me on Instagram!
More Easy Sauce Recipes
- Sweet And Spicy Honey Sriracha Sauce (5-Minute Recipe!)
- 5-Minute Homemade Boom Boom Sauce Recipe
- Easy Homemade Cajun Chicken Alfredo Sauce (Creamy Recipe)
- Easy Homemade Buffalo Sauce
Recipe
15 Minute Garlic Parmesan Sauce
INGREDIENTS
- ¼ cup butter
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
- Kosher salt
- fresh cracked pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large sauté pan, melt the butter over medium-low heat.
- Add the Italian seasoning, garlic, and a few pinches of salt and pepper once it has melted and begun to sizzle a little. Cook for one minute, stirring often.
- Cook, stirring often, for 1 minute after adding the flour to the pan and whisking until fully incorporated.
- Reduce the heat to low and gradually add the broth, whisking as you go, until everything is well mixed.
- It will thicken after about two minutes of simmering over medium to medium-low heat. Bring to a moderate simmer over medium heat.
- Add the parsley, heavy cream, and shredded Parmesan cheese. Whisk until the sauce is creamy and smooth and the cheese has melted.
- Cook until the consistency you want is achieved over low heat, stirring often.
- Serve with your preferred pasta or as a pizza base, and season with salt and pepper to suit!
NOTES
- The easiest approach to guarantee that nothing burns or overcooks is to have all of your ingredients ready before you begin cooking, as this sauce recipe comes together really rapidly. On this one, mise en place is crucial.
- Throughout the cooking period, add a little seasoning. Since this recipe just calls for a few basic ingredients, adding salt and pepper will be essential to enhancing the flavors. To avoid over-seasoning, taste the sauce after adding salt and pepper each time.
- Once the sauce cools, it will thicken rapidly. While you're letting things simmer, keep this in mind. It will become thicker as it cools, so keep that in mind if it doesn't appear very thick. Additionally, you may thin it up with a little more cream or a dash of broth if it appears too thick after it's done! You could also thin it up by adding a little pasta water when you toss it with the pasta if you're serving it with pasta!
Quinn Morgan says
Love that this sauce is versatile! It’s perfect for pizza nights or as a dipping sauce. It’s great to have a go-to recipe that’s both simple and delicious!
Mackenzie Foster says
Creamy garlic parmesan sauce? Yes, please! This would be such a hit at my next dinner party. Can't wait to impress my friends with this recipe!
Piper Davis says
'Cooking from scratch' has never been easier with this recipe! I’m excited to add some fresh herbs and make it extra special when I try it out this weekend.
Jocelyn Coleman says
This recipe has all my favorite flavors packed into one sauce. I'm dreaming about using it in a creamy pasta bake or even as a dip for fries. Delish!
Paige Ward says
'Thicker as it cools'—good tip! I can’t stand when sauces don’t have the right consistency. Looking forward to mastering this one; it's going to be a game changer in my kitchen!
Carmen Rivera says
'Creamy garlic parmesan' has such a nice ring to it! Can’t wait to pair it with fried snacks for movie nights. This recipe just made my life easier and tastier!
Lena Ford says
I’m all about that creamy goodness! Roasted garlic really takes things to the next level. Can't wait to drizzle this on everything from pasta to veggies!
Mariah Hughes says
This recipe is such a lifesaver! I can already picture it with some grilled chicken and a side of roasted potatoes. Yum! 😍
Joanna Ward says
'Make-ahead' is music to my ears! This will be perfect for my meal prep days. Just imagine having this sauce ready in the fridge—such a treat during the week!
Elena Mills says
OMG, this Garlic Parmesan Sauce sounds heavenly! I can already picture it drizzled over some fresh pasta. Perfect for a cozy night in with my favorite movie!
Catherine Reed says
I love how quick this sauce is to whip up! Just 15 minutes? Count me in! I can't wait to try it with some roasted veggies and grilled chicken.
Giselle Rivera says
Wow, this Garlic Parmesan Sauce sounds absolutely divine! I love how quick it is to whip up—perfect for busy weeknights when you just want something tasty without all the fuss.
Aurora Long says
'Mise en place' is key, right? I love that you highlighted preparation—it makes cooking so much smoother. Excited to try this creamy delight with some ravioli!
Lillian Torres says
Yum! Roasted garlic as its own dip? I’m sold! This sauce would elevate any dish, especially with some homemade breadsticks on the side.
Nina Foster says
'Simple ingredients' is music to my ears! I love knowing what goes into my food, and this looks like the perfect way to enjoy comfort food without the fuss.
Margaret Peterson says
'Versatile' is an understatement—this sauce can go on anything! I might even try it on veggies for a tasty twist at our next BBQ. Yum!
Lena Ford says
This sauce is everything! The blend of garlic and parmesan is just mouthwatering. I'm thinking about using it for my next pizza night with the girls!
Cecilia Brooks says
I adore how easy this sauce sounds to make! Plus, you can customize it with whatever herbs you have on hand. I’m definitely trying this out soon!
mat says
the garlic parmesan sauce on the tagliatelle looks so creamy and yummy! thanks for the recipe!
Katherine Rivera says
This sauce sounds easy to make.
Isabella Collins says
I like garlic, so I might try this recipe.
Juliet Stone says
Looks like a quick option for dinner.
Harper Evans says
I wonder if it really takes only fifteen minutes.
Lola Wilson says
I usually buy sauce but might give this a go.
Chelsea Stewart says
Seems like a nice sauce for pasta.
Kennedy Cooper says
'Roasted garlic' sounds interesting to me.
Eloise Edwards says
'Versatile' is good for different meals.
Helena Murphy says
'Simple ingredients' are always nice in recipes.
Casey Bell says
This sauce sounds easy to make.
Cora James says
I like that it takes only fifteen minutes.
Megan Lee says
Garlic and parmesan are good together.
Claire Coleman says
I might try this with pasta.
Maya Morgan says
The recipe looks simple enough.
Jillian Anderson says
I think I can handle making this sauce.
Keira Perry says
It could be nice for pizza too.
Hunter Ford says
This might be good with chicken.
Amy Jackson says
Garlic and parmesan? Count me in! I appreciate that it uses fresh ingredients instead of those mystery sauces from the store. So much better for my dinner parties!