INTRODUCTION
This easy garlic Parmesan sauce comes together in about five minutes. It is rich, creamy, and full of garlic and cheese. You can use it on pasta, over vegetables, or as a base for pizza. The sauce uses common pantry items and a short cook time. If you like quick and tasty sauces, this one fits well with fast weeknight meals and simple weekend dishes. For a quick idea that uses simple cream and chocolate in a drink, see a cozy hot chocolate coffee idea that also takes just a few minutes.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE
You will love this sauce for many clear reasons. It takes very little time. It uses basic ingredients that you likely have now. The flavor is bold from fresh garlic and real Parmesan. The texture is smooth and coats pasta or pizza well. It also lets you change things up to match what you have in the kitchen. The sauce feels fancy but the work is simple. If you like trying small sauce ideas, you can pair this with other simple sauces like a quick mushroom coffee recipe for a cozy drink after dinner.
HOW TO MAKE 5 Minute Garlic Parmesan Sauce
This sauce cooks fast and you control the thickness. Keep your heat low and stir as you go. The steps are short and easy to follow. You will melt butter, cook garlic briefly, add flour, whisk in broth, simmer to thicken, then add cream and cheese. Finish with parsley, salt, and pepper. If you want a sweet sauce to serve with dessert after this meal, try a simple butterscotch sauce for a quick treat.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Large sauté pan or skillet with a heavy bottom
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spoon or spatula for stirring
- Cheese grater if you shred Parmesan fresh
- Small bowl (optional, for holding garlic and seasoning)
Ingredients You’ll Need :
4 tablespoons butter, 4 cloves garlic, finely minced, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 4 tablespoons flour, 2 cups vegetable broth, 3/4 cup heavy cream, 8 oz. shredded Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley, Kosher salt, fresh cracked pepper
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS :
Heat butter in a large sauté pan over medium low heat.
Once melted and sizzling slightly, add garlic and Italian seasoning along with a couple pinches of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently for 1 minute.
Add flour to the pan, whisk until well combined, and cook stirring frequently for 1 minute.
Turn heat to low and slowly pour in broth, whisking as you pour, until well combined.
Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and gently simmer over medium to medium low heat for about 2 minutes until it thickens.
Add heavy cream, shredded Parmesan cheese, and parsley. Whisk until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth and creamy.
Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until it reaches your desired consistency.
Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve with your favorite pasta or use it as a base for pizza!
HOW TO SERVE 5 Minute Garlic Parmesan Sauce
Serve the sauce hot so it stays smooth and glossy. Toss it with hot, drained pasta until each strand is coated. Add a splash of pasta water if it feels too thick to make it silkier. Spoon sauce over roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, or cooked shrimp. Use a thin layer as a white base on a pizza, then add cooked mushrooms, spinach, or cooked sausage and bake until golden. For a simple meal, toss fresh parsley and extra cheese on top and serve with a side salad and warm bread.
STORAGE & FREEZING : 5 Minute Garlic Parmesan Sauce
Cool the sauce to room temperature before storing. Place it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm it slowly over low heat and stir often. You can add a little milk or broth to loosen it if it has thickened. Freezing can change the texture of cream-based sauces, but it is possible. Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently while whisking to bring it back to a smooth state.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- Toss with fettuccine or linguine for a fast pasta dish.
- Pour over steamed broccoli or roasted cauliflower for a creamy side.
- Use as a sauce for chicken breasts or baked fish.
- Spread a thin layer on pizza dough and add your favorite toppings.
- Serve as a dip with warm breadsticks or garlic knots.
To pair drinks with this meal, a light white wine or a mild iced tea works well. For dessert after a rich plate, a small warm cup of mocha can be nice; try a quick mocha sauce copycat if you want to finish with a coffee touch.
VARIATIONS
- Garlic lovers: Add a bit more garlic or use roasted garlic for a mild, sweet flavor.
- Herb change: Swap Italian seasoning for fresh basil, thyme, or rosemary.
- Cheese swap: Use Pecorino Romano or a mix of Parmesan and Asiago for a sharper taste.
- Dairy light: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce, and know it may be a bit thinner.
- Vegan option: Use a vegan butter, flour, and a plant-based cream and cheese alternative. The sauce will still be tasty with a few tweaks.
If you like sweet sauces as well, make a fast warm butterscotch sauce to serve with fruit for dessert.
FAQs
Q: Can I use fresh grated Parmesan or pre-shredded cheese?
A: Fresh grated Parmesan melts best and gives the smoothest sauce. Pre-shredded cheese works, but it may not melt as smoothly because it often contains anti-caking agents.
Q: How can I make the sauce thinner if it gets too thick?
A: Stir in small amounts of vegetable broth, milk, or pasta water until you reach the texture you want.
Q: What pasta works best with this sauce?
A: Any pasta that holds sauce works well. Fettuccine, linguine, and penne are good picks.
Q: Can I add vegetables to the sauce?
A: Yes. Sautéed mushrooms, wilted spinach, or roasted tomatoes mix well into this sauce.
Q: Is the sauce good for pizza?
A: Yes. Use a thin coat on the dough, then add toppings and bake. The sauce gives a creamy base and lots of flavor.
Q: Can I make the sauce nut-free and gluten-free?
A: To make it gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch as a thickener. For nut-free, avoid plant-based creams made from nuts and choose safe alternatives.
MAKE-AHEAD TIPS FOR 5 Minute Garlic Parmesan Sauce
You can make the sauce a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Reheat gently on low heat and stir often. Add a splash of broth or milk to loosen the sauce if it thickens in the fridge. If you plan to freeze, set small single-use portions in freezer-safe containers so you can thaw only what you need. Thaw in the fridge overnight for best results, then reheat slowly.
Conclusion
This 5 Minute Garlic Parmesan Sauce is fast, rich, and flexible. It lifts plain pasta and makes simple meals feel special. You can change herbs and cheese to match your taste or use the sauce as a base for a white pizza. For another quick garlic Parmesan styled sauce that takes just a bit longer and offers a similar flavor profile, see the detailed 15 Minute Garlic Parmesan Sauce recipe for more tips and ideas.
5 Minute Garlic Parmesan Sauce
Ingredients
Method
- Heat butter in a large sauté pan over medium low heat.
- Once melted and sizzling slightly, add garlic and Italian seasoning along with a couple pinches of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently for 1 minute.
- Add flour to the pan, whisk until well combined, and cook stirring frequently for 1 minute.
- Turn heat to low and slowly pour in broth, whisking as you pour, until well combined.
- Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and gently simmer for about 2 minutes until it thickens.
- Add heavy cream, shredded Parmesan cheese, and parsley. Whisk until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve with your favorite pasta or use it as a base for pizza!