Garlic Cream Sauce

Garlic cream sauce is fast, simple, and packed with rich garlic flavor. Made with a handful of simple ingredients, it comes together in minutes and turns pasta, vegetables, chicken, or shrimp into something worth craving.

Garlic cream sauce poured over roasted asparagus on a plate

What is Garlic Cream Sauce?

Garlic cream sauce is a rich, creamy sauce with lots of garlic flavor.
It is similar to Alfredo sauce, but with more garlic and a less cheesy flavor.
It’s quick to make with just 5 simple ingredients.
This sauce is great with pasta, seafood, chicken, or vegetables like cauliflower.

Ingredients & Variations

Ingredients: Garlic, butter, flour, cream, and parsley, are the simple ingredients needed for this recipe. It calls for light cream, but heavy cream can also be used.
Variations: Add some bacon bits or crumbled cooked bacon to the sauce. Add a splash of white wine, a pinch of cayenne, or a dose of Parmesan or Swiss cheese.

adding cream to butter and garlic in a skillet

How to Make Garlic Cream Sauce

Combine garlic and butter in a pan and cook just until fragrant.
Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute more.
Whisk in cream and simmer until thickened (full recipe below). Season with salt and pepper to taste.

This creamy garlic sauce can be used for drizzling over asparagus, potatoes, or air fryer cauliflower. Stir it into macaroni and cheese, leftover mashed potatoes or add it to a favorite zucchini recipe.

Tips for a Great Garlic Sauce

Cook the garlic just until fragrant.
Add the cream a little at a time to keep the sauce smooth.
If the sauce thickens too much, loosen it with milk, cream, broth, or pasta water.
Freshly shredded Parmesan melts better than pre-shredded cheese.
Season at the end, especially if adding Parmesan, since cheese adds salt.
For pasta, toss the sauce with hot noodles right away so it coats evenly.
This sauce is best served fresh, but leftovers reheat well over low heat with a splash of cream or milk.

Storing Leftovers

Store the sauce in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheat gently over low heat or in short intervals in the microwave, stirring often.
Freeze in small containers or freezer bags for up to 6 months.
Portion it before freezing so you can thaw only what you need.

More Quick Pasta Sauces

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image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Combine butter and garlic in a small skillet and cook over medium low heat until the butter is melted and garlic becomes fragrant.
Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute more. Stir in cream, a bit at a time, whisking after each addition. Simmer 2-3 minutes or until thickened.
Remove from heat and stir in parsley. Season generously with salt & pepper to taste.
Serve with pasta or as a dipping sauce for chicken, shrimp or steak.

Be sure to cook garlic just until fragrant, do not let the garlic brown.
1/3 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese can be added. Whisk in once the sauce is thickened.
This sauce can be served with pasta or over seafood or steamed vegetables.
Store sauce in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through, mixing occasionally.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Sauce

Cuisine American

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