5 Ingredient Creamy Garlic Sauce Recipe
If you’re searching for the most luscious, versatile sauce to elevate weeknight dinners or impress at special gatherings, look no further than this 5 Ingredient Creamy Garlic Sauce. It’s a dreamy blend of toasty garlic, rich cream, and an Italian herb kick—all coming together in a silky, restaurant-worthy sauce you’ll want to pour on everything from chicken and veggies to a big bowl of pasta. Best of all, it comes together quickly with just a handful of ingredients, proving that sophistication in the kitchen doesn’t have to mean hours at the stove or a crowded shopping list.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This is one of those rare recipes where simplicity is truly genius! Each of these essential ingredients plays a starring role: butter builds depth, garlic shines, herbs add aroma, broth delivers robust flavor, and cream brings the luscious finish. Here’s how they all contribute to the magic of this 5 Ingredient Creamy Garlic Sauce:
- Butter: The flavor foundation; use real butter for the richest base and glossy sheen.
- Garlic cloves (grated): Freshly grated garlic provides the best pop; grating helps it melt evenly into the sauce for a smooth texture.
- Italian seasoning: This blend of herbs infuses the sauce with aromatic Mediterranean flair.
- Chicken broth (or stock): Adds body and savory notes, balancing the creamy richness.
- Half and half or heavy cream (warmed): Warmed cream means your sauce stays silky and never splits—choose heavy cream for extra indulgence, or half and half for a lighter touch.
How to Make 5 Ingredient Creamy Garlic Sauce
Step 1: Sauté the Garlic in Butter
Start by melting the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once it’s bubbling gently, add your grated garlic. Give it a good stir and watch carefully— you want the garlic to toast and turn a pale golden color, but not burn. The scent at this stage is truly irresistible, and building this layer of flavor is key for that signature 5 Ingredient Creamy Garlic Sauce decadence.
Step 2: Bloom the Italian Seasoning
Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and stir for about 30 seconds, letting the heat coax out all those wonderful herbal aromas. This quick step wakes up the dried herbs, making your sauce every bit as complex as anything you’d get in a great restaurant.
Step 3: Add Broth and Cream, Then Simmer
Pour in the chicken broth, then follow with the warmed half and half or heavy cream. Bringing your dairy up to temperature first is a game-changer—it helps everything emulsify beautifully. Increase the heat a touch and bring to a gentle simmer, cooking for about 5 minutes until the sauce begins to reduce and thicken slightly. The kitchen will smell amazing!
Step 4: Thicken the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry (no lumps here, please!). Pour this into your simmering sauce, stirring well. Let the sauce simmer another 5 minutes, until it reaches your desired velvety consistency. Don’t rush this step—when the sauce ribbons from your spoon, you know it’s perfect.
Step 5: Serve and Savor
Now the real fun begins! Spoon your 5 Ingredient Creamy Garlic Sauce over golden chicken breasts, swirl it into a bowl of pillowy mashed potatoes, or toss it with your favorite pasta. The versatility is all part of the magic. Serve immediately and watch every plate get licked clean.
How to Serve 5 Ingredient Creamy Garlic Sauce
Garnishes
Top this luxurious sauce with a fresh sprinkle of chopped parsley or chives for a burst of color and freshness. A little grated Parmesan adds a nutty, salty finish that amplifies the creaminess. If you’re feeling extra fancy, try a dusting of black pepper or a pinch of red pepper flakes for gentle heat.
Side Dishes
The beauty of 5 Ingredient Creamy Garlic Sauce is that it’s unbelievably adaptable! Serve it over sautéed chicken, roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus, mashed or roasted potatoes, or even spooned onto rice. And, of course, it’s a pasta dream—just toss with cooked fettuccine, penne, or gnocchi for a true comfort food experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Surprise your guests by using this sauce as a dip for warm, crusty bread or crispy potato wedges. For an elegant appetizer, drizzle it onto grilled shrimp skewers. Or try layering it in a casserole with cooked chicken and greens for a quick, creamy bake. The 5 Ingredient Creamy Garlic Sauce works wonders no matter which direction you take!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra sauce (lucky you!), transfer it to an airtight container and stash it in the fridge. It’ll keep beautifully for up to 3 days. Because it’s so rich and flavorful, even a small amount goes a long way for jazzing up leftovers.
Freezing
While cream sauces can sometimes separate after freezing, the 5 Ingredient Creamy Garlic Sauce actually holds up fairly well if you take care. Cool it completely first, then freeze in a tightly sealed container for up to a month. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the sauce gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring regularly. If the sauce looks too thick, add a splash of broth or cream to loosen it—don’t crank up the heat, as this might cause it to split. Stir patiently and it’ll soon return to silky perfection.
FAQs
Can I use milk instead of cream or half and half?
Technically, yes, but you’ll end up with a thinner and less luxurious sauce—the richness of this 5 Ingredient Creamy Garlic Sauce really comes from the cream. If you opt for milk, consider adding a bit more butter or a little cream cheese to restore that velvety texture.
Is this sauce gluten free?
Yes, as written, the recipe is gluten free since it uses cornstarch as the thickener instead of flour. Just double-check that your broth and Italian seasoning are also gluten free if needed!
Can I make this sauce vegetarian?
Absolutely! Simply swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth. All the creamy, garlicky goodness of the 5 Ingredient Creamy Garlic Sauce will still shine through.
How do I keep the garlic from burning?
The secret is to keep the heat at medium and stay attentive—grated garlic cooks quickly, so stir constantly and remove from heat the second it turns golden. A burnt garlic note will overpower the sauce, so patience here pays off!
Can I double or triple this recipe?
Definitely! This 5 Ingredient Creamy Garlic Sauce is perfect for feeding a crowd. Just make sure to use a large enough saucepan, and extend the simmering time by a couple of minutes to ensure the sauce thickens nicely in a bigger batch.
Final Thoughts
Now you know just how easy and downright delicious it is to whip up your own 5 Ingredient Creamy Garlic Sauce at home. With this recipe in your back pocket, you’ll always have a way to add a little restaurant-level luxury to even the simplest weeknight meal. Go ahead and give it a try—you’ll be amazed at the difference a great sauce can make!
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5 Ingredient Creamy Garlic Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and easy recipe for a 5-Ingredient Creamy Garlic Sauce that is rich, flavorful, and versatile, perfect for enhancing your favorite dishes.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter
- 3 garlic cloves (grated)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup chicken broth (or stock)
- 1 cup half and half or heavy cream (warmed)
Instructions
- Over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the garlic cloves to the pan, and sauté them for about 2 minutes, moving them around to make sure they toast to a golden color, but don’t burn.
- Add the Italian seasoning to the garlic and toast it for about 30 seconds.
- Add the chicken broth or stock and the warmed cream or half and half to the pan. Stir and bring it all to a simmer, then cook it for 5 minutes to reduce it and give it a thicker texture.
- To thicken it further, make a slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 3 tablespoons of cold water in a small bowl. Add it to the sauce and simmer it for 5 minutes.
- Combine the sauce with chicken breasts, serve it over mashed potatoes, or toss it with pasta.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 340mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: Creamy Garlic Sauce, Garlic Cream Sauce, Easy Sauce Recipe
