Description
This creamy garlic butter sauce is a rich and velvety addition to elevate your pasta, grilled chicken, shrimp, or roasted vegetables. Made with melted butter, fresh garlic, heavy cream, and optional Parmesan cheese, it offers a perfect balance of buttery richness and garlic aroma. Enhanced with a touch of lemon juice for brightness and garnished with fresh parsley, this sauce is simple to prepare and ideal for adding indulgence to your favorite dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional for added richness)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Melt the Butter: In a medium skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant and golden, but not burnt.
- Add the Cream: Slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring continuously to combine with the garlic and butter. Allow the sauce to come to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Add Parmesan (optional): Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese (if using). This will add extra creaminess and a savory, umami flavor. Continue to cook the sauce for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and the sauce to thicken to your desired consistency.
- Season: Taste the sauce and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking. If you want a bit of brightness, add a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice and stir to combine.
- Serve: Pour the creamy garlic butter sauce over your favorite pasta, grilled chicken, shrimp, or roasted vegetables. Garnish with fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Serve immediately while warm.
- Optional Adjustments: For a dairy-free version, you can substitute the butter with olive oil and the cream with coconut cream or a dairy-free cream alternative.
- Extra Flavor Tips: For extra flavor, you can add crushed red pepper flakes or fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary.
Notes
- Ensure the garlic is sautéed only until fragrant and golden to avoid bitterness from burning.
- Adjust the thickness of the sauce by cooking it longer if you want a creamier texture.
- Parmesan cheese is optional but recommended for richer flavor and creaminess.
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before serving.
- For a vegan version, replace butter with olive oil and heavy cream with coconut cream or a plant-based cream substitute.
- Add fresh herbs or red pepper flakes to customize the flavor to your preference.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
