Garlic Parmesan Cream Sauce
Garlic Parmesan cream sauce is a delicious and versatile variation on Parmesan Cream Sauce. You can use garlic Parmesan cream sauce in any recipe calling for Parmesan cream sauce. It is particularly good on baked pasta and vegetables, and in dishes like Parmesan Mashed Potatoes.

Made with broth and milk, garlic Parmesan cream sauce is light and creamy without having too much fat. In fact, you can vary the amount of cream in this garlic Parmesan cream sauce recipe or forego it altogether because the Parmigiano Reggiano® cheese in the sauce makes it velvety and rich-tasting.

For an adult version of garlic Parmesan cream sauce, add up to a half a cup of white wine or sherry with the broth and feel free to add chopped fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or basil. A dash of hot sauce or Worcestershire Sauce will give this garlic Parmesan cream sauce a bit of a kick. Garlic Parmesan cream sauce will keep for several days in the refrigerator or it can be frozen.
Servings Prep Time
4cups 15minutes
Cook Time
20minutes
Servings Prep Time
4cups 15minutes
Cook Time
20minutes
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Peel four garlic cloves and gently simmer them in some of the milk you will be using for the garlic Parmesan cream sauce. When the garlic cloves are tender, strain them from the milk (reserving the milk) and use a garlic press to mash them.
  2. In a heavy saucepan melt the butter until it is bubbling. Add the flour and stir well with a wooden spoon or spatula, creating a roux. Cook the roux for several minutes. Take care not to let it brown at all.
  3. Slowly add the broth. Keep stirring until you have created a smooth sauce. Next add the milk, including the reserved garlic-flavored milk. Keep stirring while the sauce simmers. Stir the mashed garlic back into the sauce after adding all liquid to the roux.
  4. Add the nutmeg, ½ teaspoon of salt and pepper (or to your taste), and cook the sauce on low for 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
  5. While the sauce is hot, add the Parmigiano Reggiano and stir until it is fully incorporated and melted.
  6. Add the cream, if using, then correct the seasonings.
  7. If you are making this sauce ahead of time, put a piece of wax paper or plastic wrap over the sauce while it cools to prevent a skin from forming.
  8. Variation: For a roasted garlic Parmesan cream sauce, slice a head of garlic in half horizontally, sprinkle the cut halves with olive oil, wrap them in aluminum foil and bake them in a 375° F oven until the garlic cloves are soft and caramelized. Squeeze out six to eight of the softened garlic cloves and add them to the sauce.
  9. Cooking Tip: You can roast garlic any time you are baking a casserole and have the oven on anyway.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Facts
Garlic Parmesan Cream Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 189 Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 5g
Cholesterol 23mg 8%
Sodium 258mg 11%
Potassium 125mg 4%
Total Carbohydrates 4g 1%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugars 1g
Protein 12g 24%
Vitamin A 3%
Vitamin C 11%
Calcium 37%
Iron 2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.