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Have you ever find yourself craving that velvety, restaurant-style garlic butter cream sauce but not the complicated instructions or mystery ingredients? Well, same here.
Luckily, making rich, silky garlic butter cream sauce at home is way easier than it sounds, and it takes your seafood, pasta, or veggies to a whole new level of cozy, buttery goodness.
This sauce has been my go-to for dressing up shrimp scampi, flaky fish, or even just swirling over fettuccine when I want to feel a little fancy without the extra effort (because honestly, who has time for fussy recipes?).
And hey, if you’re here for the details, the “Jump to Recipe” button and the table of contents are right below to get you cooking fast. Feel free to browse the section you want.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Cream Sauce
Don’t worry, I’m just gonna say briefly why this Garlic Butter Cream Sauce is the best sauce you can have. Well, at least in my opinion.
This garlic butter cream sauce hits all the right notes: rich, velvety, and bursting with that buttery garlic flavor we all obsess over. But here’s the best part, it’s surprisingly simple.
A handful of basic ingredients, a little patience by the stove, and suddenly, you’ve got a restaurant-worthy sauce ready to drizzle, dip, or toss with your favorite seafood and pasta.
Whether you’re elevating pan-seared shrimp, spooning it over flaky fish, or just dressing up a bowl of linguine, this sauce brings comfort and flavor in every creamy bite.
(And between us, it’s dangerously good straight off the spoon… but we’ll pretend we didn’t say that.)
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this garlic butter cream sauce, you only need a few kitchen staples (no fancy stuff, just pure creamy comfort):
- Butter (4 tablespoons) – Unsalted is best so you control the salt level, but if salted is what you have, just adjust later.
- Fresh Garlic (4 cloves, minced) – Go big on the garlic; it’s the star of the show.
- Heavy Cream (1 cup) – This gives the sauce its rich, silky texture. No swaps here, we want full creaminess.
- Parmesan Cheese (optional, 1/4 cup grated) – Adds a savory, cheesy edge. Totally optional, but highly recommended.
- Salt & Black Pepper (to taste) – For balancing the flavors.
- Fresh Parsley (optional, chopped for garnish) – Brings a pop of color and freshness.
Quick Ingredient Tip: Fresh garlic makes all the difference here. Jarred garlic works in a pinch, but that bold, aromatic kick comes from fresh cloves sizzling in butter.
How to Make Garlic Butter Cream Sauce (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Melt the Butter
Place a medium non-stick skillet or saucepan on your stove over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt completely, swirling the pan gently so it coats the bottom. You’re aiming for melted, not browned.
Pro Tip: Keep the heat medium, not high. Butter burns fast, and we want it silky, not scorched.
Step 2: Sauté the Garlic
Once the butter’s melted and gently sizzling, add the minced garlic. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula for 1 to 2 minutes, until fragrant. Don’t walk away, the garlic can go from golden to bitter quickly.
Fast Fact: Garlic releases its full flavor in fat (like butter), so this step builds the sauce’s bold foundation.
Step 3: Add the Cream
Slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring as you go to fully combine it with the butter and garlic. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce gently simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often.
You’ll see it start to thicken slightly. If the cream bubbles aggressively, lower the heat; a soft simmer keeps the sauce smooth.
Step 4: Season and (Optional) Add Cheese
Sprinkle in salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. If using parmesan, stir it in now, letting it melt into the sauce for an extra layer of richness. Simmer another 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Once the sauce has thickened to your liking (it should coat the back of a spoon), remove from heat. If using fresh parsley, sprinkle it over the top.
Your sauce is ready to drizzle, dip, or toss!
Garlic Butter Cream Sauce
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
This rich, velvety Garlic Butter Cream Sauce is a foolproof way to elevate your seafood, pasta, or veggies. Ready in under 15 minutes with simple ingredients, it’s the ultimate creamy comfort sauce for home cooks.
Ingredients
- Butter (4 tablespoons, unsalted recommended)
- Fresh Garlic (4 cloves, minced)
- Heavy Cream (1 cup)
- Parmesan Cheese (optional, 1/4 cup grated)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black Pepper (to taste)
- Fresh Parsley (optional, chopped for garnish)
Instructions
- Place a medium non-stick skillet or saucepan over medium heat and add the butter. Let it melt completely, swirling the pan so the bottom is coated.
- Once the butter is melted and gently sizzling, add the minced garlic. Stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
- Slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine. Reduce heat to medium-low and let the sauce gently simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until slightly thickened.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. If using parmesan, stir it in now and let it melt into the sauce. Simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- When the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, remove from heat. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
For extra flavor, add lemon zest, fresh herbs, or a pinch of red pepper flakes. Perfect over seafood, pasta, or as a dipping sauce for bread or veggies.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sauces
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Serving Ideas & Pairings
Now, after making the recipe, we need to serve it. Wait, Maya, serving cream? Well, I mean, what meals can we use with this cream?
This creamy garlic butter sauce is the kind of magic that instantly levels up your meals. Here are some easy, crowd-pleasing ways to use it:
- Seafood Perfection: Drizzle generously over pan-seared shrimp, scallops, or flaky white fish like cod or halibut. It adds richness without overpowering those delicate ocean flavors.
- Pasta Nights Made Better: Toss with fettuccine, linguine, or even gnocchi for a luxurious, restaurant-style pasta dinner at home.
- Veggie Upgrade: Pour it over steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, or sautéed spinach for a buttery, garlicky twist that makes veggies hard to resist.
- Dipping Delight: Serve as a warm dipping sauce for crusty bread, roasted potatoes, or even use it to elevate your next seafood boil.
Did You Know? A touch of this sauce over grilled lobster tails? Game-changing. We’ll save that for another recipe day!
Tips for Perfect Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce
And now it’s time for some tips. These tips will help you make the garlic butter cream sauce the right way:
- Watch the Heat: This is always my pro tip on any recipe, especially the sauces. Keep your heat at medium to medium-low. Too hot, and your butter burns or your cream curdles. Gentle simmer = silky sauce.
- Use Fresh Garlic: Pre-minced garlic in jars works, but nothing beats the bold aroma of freshly minced cloves sizzling in butter.
- Quality Cream Matters: Heavy cream gives this sauce its rich, velvety texture. Milk or light cream won’t thicken the same way.
- Don’t Rush the Simmer: Letting the cream reduce for a few minutes builds that luscious, slightly thick consistency.
- Adjust to Taste: Want it cheesier? Add more parmesan. Need a pop of brightness? A squeeze of lemon works wonders.
- Serve Immediately: This sauce is best served fresh, while it’s hot, silky, and pourable.
Real Talk: Even if your first batch isn’t perfect, it’s still going to taste like buttery, garlicky goodness. We call that a win.
Recipe Variations
There’s nothing better than making this garlic butter cream sauce exactly the way you want it. That’s why I’m sharing a few recipe variations that might help you achieve that. I haven’t tested them myself, but I’m sure they’ll work for you:
- Cheesy Garlic Butter Cream Sauce: Stir in extra parmesan or even a handful of shredded mozzarella for an ultra-creamy, cheesy finish.
- Lemon Garlic Butter Cream Sauce: Add 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon zest and a small squeeze of lemon juice for a bright, tangy kick that pairs perfectly with seafood.
- Herb-Infused Sauce: Toss in chopped fresh herbs like parsley, basil, dill, or chives right before serving for added freshness and color.
- Spicy Kick: You love heat? A pinch of red pepper flakes stirred in with the cream adds just the right touch of spice.
- White Wine Twist: Swap 2 tablespoons of cream for dry white wine when adding the liquid for a subtle, elegant flavor layer.
Did You Know? A tiny pinch of nutmeg (seriously, tiny) gives cream sauces that classic restaurant-style depth, especially over pasta.
FAQs
What’s the difference between garlic cream sauce and Alfredo sauce?
Garlic butter cream sauce focuses on butter, cream, and fresh garlic for a silky, rich finish with optional parmesan. Alfredo sauce is heavier, loaded with parmesan and often enriched with extra dairy like cream cheese, making it ultra-thick and cheesy.
How do you thicken creamy garlic sauce?
The easiest way is to let the sauce simmer a little longer over medium-low heat, stirring often. You can also whisk in grated parmesan cheese, which melts in and thickens naturally without changing the smooth texture.
How to make creamy garlic pasta sauce?
This garlic butter cream sauce doubles perfectly as a pasta sauce. Simply toss your cooked pasta directly in the sauce pan, letting the noodles soak up all that buttery, garlicky goodness. Add extra parmesan for a cheesier pasta dish.
What makes pasta sauce more creamy?
Two things: using heavy cream (not milk) and simmering gently to reduce the sauce. Adding parmesan cheese or a pat of butter right at the end also boosts creaminess without making the sauce too heavy.
Conclusion
And that’s all it takes to whip up this rich, velvety garlic butter cream sauce at home. No complicated steps, no fancy ingredients, just simple comfort packed with bold, garlicky flavor. Whether you’re dressing up seafood, tossing it with pasta, or using it as the ultimate dipping sauce, this recipe brings restaurant-style results without the stress.
You may also like:
– Seafood Boil Sauce Recipe
– Seafood Boil Seasoning
– Pesto Cream Sauce Recipe
Give it a try and see how easy it is to elevate your next meal. If you do, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Drop your questions or share your tasty creations in the comments below. Happy cooking!
