Description
This Quick Kitchen Sauce is a creamy, garlicky, and flavorful sauce made with butter, garlic, Italian seasoning, flour, vegetable broth, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. It’s perfect for drizzling over pasta, vegetables, or proteins, and comes together in just 15 minutes on the stovetop.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning blend
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat Butter: Melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large sauté pan over medium-low heat, ensuring it doesn’t brown to maintain a smooth base for the sauce.
- Sauté Garlic and Seasoning: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning to the melted butter. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning the garlic.
- Create Roux: Whisk in 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour until fully combined with the butter and garlic mixture. Continue to cook for an additional minute to remove the raw flour taste.
- Add Broth: Slowly pour in 2 cups of vegetable broth while whisking constantly. This helps prevent lumps from forming and creates a smooth sauce base.
- Simmer to Thicken: Allow the sauce to gently simmer for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until it begins to thicken slightly.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in 3/4 cup heavy cream and 8 ounces of freshly shredded Parmesan cheese, mixing until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Final Cook: Continue cooking on low heat, stirring often, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency, making sure the cheese fully melts and the sauce is heated through.
- Season and Garnish: Adjust the seasoning with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Stir in 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh parsley just before serving for a fresh burst of flavor and color.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded Parmesan cheese rather than pre-grated for better melting and flavor.
- Adjust the thickness by simmering longer for a thicker sauce or adding a splash of broth to thin it.
- This sauce pairs beautifully with pasta, steamed vegetables, or grilled chicken.
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream to restore consistency.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive oil, heavy cream with coconut cream, and Parmesan with a vegan cheese alternative.
