Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce
This creamy garlic Parmesan sauce is a fantastic addition to everyday meals! Packed with flavor from the garlic-Parmesan combo, it’s rich, savory, and oh-so-tasty. And it’s so simple to make, too! Whip it up today and watch it become a family favorite in no time at all.
I’m a firm believer that a good sauce makes anything, even the simplest dish, taste better. That’s why I’m so excited to share one of my all-time favorites — this garlic-Parmesan sauce recipe! Smooth, creamy, and perfectly balanced, it combines the lovely flavors of garlic and Parmesan cheese in one amazing sauce. It’s so good you’ll be tempted to put it on everything. Enjoy!
Why You’ll Love This Flavorful Sauce
- It’s so simple to make at home.
- It has a creamy texture and amazing flavors.
- It pairs beautifully with a lot of dishes. Check out our suggestions below for great ideas.
- You only need nine simple ingredients to make this Parmesan cream sauce, most of which you might already have in your pantry.
- You’re using highly nutritious ingredients to make it! Milk offers protein and calcium (among other nutrients). Similarly, Parmesan cheese is highly nutritious — aside from protein and calcium, you also get carbohydrates, sodium, and phosphorus.
- It’s customizable! You can swap ingredients to make it gluten-free or vegan-friendly.
Ingredient Notes
Unsalted Butter: Serves as the foundation of the sauce.
Garlic Cloves: Offer a bold, savory taste and inviting aroma for which the sauce is well-known.
All-Purpose Flour: Acts as a thickening agent. Use gluten-free all-purpose flour if necessary.
Whole Milk: Helps the sauce achieve a creamy consistency. You can use dairy-free milk as a substitute if preferred.
Heavy Cream: Mellows the flavor and contributes to the creamy texture of the sauce. Coconut cream can be used as a swap.
Parmesan Cheese: Adds a nutty, umami-filled flavor to the cream sauce. Use vegetarian rennet-free parmesan if necessary.
Salt and Black Pepper: Enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients.
Ground Nutmeg: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the sauce. This is my secret ingredient!
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until foamy.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned.
- Sprinkle in the flour, stirring well, and cook for 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and cream, ensuring a smooth mixture. Simmer gently, stirring, until the sauce thickens (3-5 minutes).
- Lower the heat and stir in the parmesan cheese in small batches until melted and smooth.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and nutmeg.
- Remove from heat and use immediately. If the sauce thickens as it cools, whisk in a little milk or cream to adjust the consistency to your liking.
- Enjoy!
How to Use Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- As a pasta sauce to make garlic parmesan pasta.
- As a pizza sauce spread on a gluten-free crust or chickpea flour crust.
- As a dip for fresh veggies like blistered shishito peppers, roasted vegetables, or french fries.
- Added as a creamy layer in butternut squash lasagna or other vegetarian casseroles.
- Mixed into mashed potatoes.
- As a dipping sauce or drizzled over flatbreads.
- As a soup enhancer.
- Drizzled over grain bowls and rice bowls.
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating
Let the sauce cool completely before storage. Keep it in an airtight container, then store it in the refrigerator to use the sauce for up to four days.
Freezing it is generally not recommended, as doing so might alter the texture.
To reheat, put the garlic Parmesan sauce in a pan on medium-low heat, then stir constantly until it’s heated through, adding some milk to thin out if necessary.
Expert Tips
- Use fresh garlic instead of pre-minced for the best results. Similarly, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese when possible instead of the pre-grated variety which may cause the sauce to turn a bit grainy.
- Avoid over-browning the garlic when sauteing it, as it might turn bitter.
- Adding the Parmesan cheese in small amounts is needed to ensure that it will melt evenly and won’t give you a clumpy sauce.
- Taste as you go. Parmesan is already naturally salty — omit adding the salt if needed.
More Delicious Sauce Recipes You Will Love
Garlic Parmesan Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour gluten-free if necessary
- 1 ½ cups whole milk or dairy-free milk
- ½ cup heavy cream or coconut cream
- ¾ cup freshly grated or shredded Parmesan cheese vegetarian (rennet-free) if necessary
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter until it begins to foam.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned.
- Sprinkle the flour over the garlic and butter mixture. Stir well to combine, cooking for about 1 minute to remove the raw taste of the flour.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and cream, ensuring there are no lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce begins to thicken (about 3-5 minutes).
- Reduce the heat to low and slowly add the parmesan cheese in small handfuls, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
- Stir in the salt, black pepper, and nutmeg.
- Remove from the heat and use immediately.
- If the sauce thickens too much upon cooling, whisk in a splash of milk or cream to reach the desired consistency.
- Enjoy!
Wonderful!