Description
A rich and creamy garlic Parmesan sauce perfect for pizza or pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups whole milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Sauté the Garlic: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter until bubbling but not browned. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, just until fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn—burnt garlic can overpower the sauce.
- Make a Roux: Sprinkle in the flour while whisking constantly. Let this cook for 1–2 minutes to eliminate any raw flour taste. This forms the thickening base for your sauce.
- Add the Milk: Gradually whisk in the milk, a little at a time, to avoid lumps. Stir constantly, letting the sauce cook for about 3–4 minutes until it thickens. You’re looking for a consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
- Season the Sauce: Stir in the salt, pepper, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). The oregano adds a hint of classic Italian flavor, while the red pepper gives just a touch of heat.
- Add the Cheese: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Cool and Use: Let the sauce cool slightly before spreading it over your pizza dough. It will thicken more as it cools. If you’re not using it right away, store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Notes
- This sauce can be used for pizza, pasta, or as a dipping sauce.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Sauces
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 40mg