Creamy Parmesan Cheese Sauce
Elevate your dishes with this luxuriously creamy Parmesan cheese sauce—a quick yet indulgent recipe that’s perfect for pasta, vegetables, or even as a rich dipping sauce. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients like butter, milk, heavy cream, and freshly grated Parmesan, this sauce achieves its velvety texture with an easy roux base. The addition of garlic brings a subtle aromatic depth, while a hint of nutmeg (optional) adds a warming, nutty complexity. Ready in just 15 minutes, this versatile sauce is perfect for adding a restaurant-quality touch to your homemade meals. Whether you're tossing it with fettuccine, drizzling it over roasted veggies, or pairing it with crusty bread, this Parmesan cheese sauce will be your go-to for bold, creamy flavor.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups whole milk
- 0.5 cups heavy cream
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.25 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper (freshly ground)
- 1 pinch nutmeg (optional, freshly grated)
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Once the butter is melted, sprinkle in the flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes to create a roux. This will remove the raw flour taste.
Slowly pour the milk into the saucepan while continuously whisking to ensure there are no lumps.
Add the heavy cream and continue to whisk until the mixture starts to thicken, about 2-3 minutes.
Lower the heat to medium-low and stir in the minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute to release its aroma.
Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously, until it has fully melted into the sauce.
Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg if desired.
Simmer the sauce for 1-2 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired consistency.
Remove the saucepan from heat and serve immediately over pasta, steamed vegetables, or as a dip for bread.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1328 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 112.8 g | 145% | |
| Saturated Fat | 67.9 g | 340% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 337 mg | 112% | |
| Sodium | 2137 mg | 93% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 31.8 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.3 g | 5% | |
| Total Sugars | 17.9 g | ||
| Protein | 46.3 g | 93% | |
| Vitamin D | 4.0 mcg | 20% | |
| Calcium | 1355 mg | 104% | |
| Iron | 1.0 mg | 6% | |
| Potassium | 603 mg | 13% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
