Creamy Garlic Sauce Recipe

Introduction

This creamy garlic sauce is rich, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. It’s perfect for drizzling over grilled chicken, steamed vegetables, or pasta, adding a comforting touch to any meal.

A white bowl filled with thick spaghetti noodles coated in a creamy light yellow sauce, twisted into small round nests on the surface. The pasta is sprinkled with small green herb pieces and black pepper flakes, adding texture and color contrast. A silver fork rests in the pasta at the bottom left corner of the bowl, its handle decorated with a floral pattern. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a soft garlic bulb slightly visible in the top right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic (grated or finely minced, about 1 tablespoon)
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 1/2 cups half and half
  • ½ cup chicken stock (or vegetable stock or water)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (minced)
  • Kosher salt and fresh black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  2. Step 2: Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly golden, about 1 to 2 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Slowly whisk in the half and half and chicken stock. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens, about 1 to 2 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Stir in the minced parsley and season with kosher salt and fresh black pepper to taste. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

  • For a dairy-free version, substitute half and half with coconut milk and use vegetable stock.
  • Add a squeeze of lemon juice or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a zesty or spicy twist.
  • Use fresh herbs like thyme or basil instead of parsley for different flavor profiles.

Storage

Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent separation or scorching.

How to Serve

A close-up view of creamy spaghetti pasta in a white bowl, showing a thick smooth sauce coating each long, round noodle evenly with a pale orange color. The pasta strands are slightly twisted and bundled together, with small green herb flecks and black pepper sprinkled over the sauce. The surface of the sauce looks rich and glossy, giving the dish a warm and soft texture. The bowl has a visible black rim around the edge, and the background shows a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this sauce ahead of time?

Yes, this sauce can be made a day in advance and stored refrigerated. Just reheat gently before serving.

What can I use if I don’t have half and half?

You can substitute half and half with a mixture of milk and cream, or use whole milk for a lighter version, though the sauce may be less creamy.

Print

Creamy Garlic Sauce Recipe

A rich and creamy garlic sauce perfect for enhancing pasta, chicken, or vegetables. Made with a buttery garlic base, thickened with flour, and blended with half and half and chicken stock for smoothness and depth of flavor. Finished with fresh parsley for a hint of freshness and seasoned to taste.

  • Author: Viktoria
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 7 minutes
  • Total Time: 12 minutes
  • Yield: About 1 cup (serves 4) 1x
  • Category: Sauce
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic (grated or finely minced, about 1 Tablespoon)
  • 2 Tablespoons flour
  • 1 1/2 cups half and half
  • ½ cup chicken stock (or vegetable stock or water)
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley (minced)
  • Kosher salt (to taste)
  • Fresh black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Garlic Base: Melt the unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the grated or finely minced garlic and cook until fragrant, approximately 30 seconds, taking care not to burn the garlic.
  2. Make the Roux: Sprinkle the flour over the melted butter and garlic mixture. Stir continuously and cook the flour for 1 to 2 minutes until it turns lightly golden, which helps eliminate the raw flour taste.
  3. Add Liquids and Thicken: Slowly whisk in the half and half and chicken stock to the roux mixture. Continue to simmer gently while stirring until the sauce thickens noticeably, about 1 to 2 minutes.
  4. Finish the Sauce: Stir in the minced fresh parsley for freshness. Season the sauce with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and serve warm.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken stock with vegetable stock or water.
  • Use fresh garlic for the best flavor; avoid pre-minced garlic for a more robust taste.
  • The sauce thickens quickly, so monitor closely during simmering to avoid scorching.
  • This sauce pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, pasta, steamed vegetables, or as a base for creamy casseroles.

Keywords: creamy garlic sauce, garlic butter sauce, creamy pasta sauce, garlic cream sauce, easy garlic sauce

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating