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    You are here: Home / Recipes by Type / Sauces & Dips / Garlic Parmesan Sauce Recipe

    Garlic Parmesan Sauce Recipe

    by Marilyn · May 2, 2022 · Updated: May 2, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links

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    garlic parmesan sauce pin graphic

    This amazing Garlic Parmesan Sauce recipe is to die for. Creamy, cheesy, and packing a punch of flavor, this homemade sauce recipe is perfect for making garlic parmesan wings or just as a dip for your wings.

    Garlic parmesan sauce is great for dipping other appetizers in, adding into pasta dishes, and drizzling on top of easy fish, pork or chicken breasts. In about an hour you'll have an extremely versatile and fantastic Parmesan Garlic Sauce for all your needs.

    bowl of garlic parmesan sauce with wings for dipping in the back this Recipe for Later
    Garlic Parmesan Sauce

    Dunk your Air Fryer Wings into this cheesy garlic sauce. Drizzle some across your Pan Fried Pork Chops or Skirt Steak and try not to lick your fingers, this sauce is that good!

    Making your own sauces, like homemade marinara sauce, any white sauce, or creamy sauce is so satisfying because you know exactly what ingredients are used and can doctor it up to be the absolute perfect sauce for whatever you're using it for.

    closeup of wings dipped in garlic parmesan sauce
    Wings Dipped in Garlic Parmesan Sauce
    Jump to:
    • Why You’ll Love This Simple Garlic Parmesan Sauce Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Tips for Creamy Parmesan Sauce
    • How To Make Garlic Parmesan Sauce
    • Top Tips
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage Instructions
    • 📋 Recipe

    Why You’ll Love This Simple Garlic Parmesan Sauce Recipe

    • More flavorful than store-bought sauce
    • You know what's in it and how it was made
    • No need to check the pantry for sauce anymore when you can just make your own
    • A versatile sauce that goes on a TON of recipes

    Ingredients

    You only need a handful of common and simple ingredients to make this easy recipe. Get the full recipe and ingredient quantities in the recipe card below.

    ingredients for making garlic parmesan sauce
    Ingredients for Garlic Parmesan Sauce
    • Mayonnaise - Use real mayonnaise instead of Miracle Whip or similar which can add more tanginess.
    • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese - Be sure to use the freshly grated parmesan cheese in this parmesan garlic sauce recipe. Don't use the powdered stuff in a green can, which does not have the same cheese flavor like the freshly grated parmesan does.
    • Garlic Powder - Do not substitute fresh garlic or granulated garlic. Either of these will not absorb well and you will have small pieces of garlic in your sauce.
    • Freshly Ground Black Pepper

    Tips for Creamy Parmesan Sauce

    • Use fresh grated parmesan. You can find freshly grated parmesan, typically in clear pint containers or you can grated your own from blocks of fresh parmesan.
    top down view of parmesan cheese wedges cut from a block
    Parmesan Cheese Wedges Cut from Large Wheel - Image Courtesy of the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.
    • How much parmesan do you need to make 2 tablespoons grated: You will need a ½ ounce block of parmesan to make the 2 Tablespoons of freshly grated cheese that is called for in this recipe. You should try to make more than you think you need and refrigerate the remaining cheese in an airtight container to use on other dishes. This should keep for about 2 weeks.
    • How to grate parmesan cheese: 1) Use a block grater, or 2) cut a block of cheese into small 1-inch chunks. Place the chunks in a food processor and process for about 20 seconds or until it's fully ground into coarse pieces.

    How To Make Garlic Parmesan Sauce

    1. In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise and olive oil. Add the grated parmesan, garlic, and ground pepper; stirring well until combined.
    2. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
    combining mayonnaise, olive oil, grated parmesan, garlic powder and black pepper in a large bowl to make garlic parmesan sauce
    Combining Mayonnaise, Olive Oil, Grated Parmesan, Garlic Powder and Black Pepper

    Top Tips

    • Don't rush the time the sauce remains in the refrigerator. This is needed so the sauce flavors can meld together. If you rush it, your sauce won't be as delicious.
    • For a thinner creamy garlic parmesan sauce, pulse the sauce in an immersion blender so it drizzles easier onto things like crispy wings.
    bowl of garlic parmesan sauce with wings for dipping in the back
    Creamy Parmesan Garlic Sauce Ready for Dipping Crispy Wings

    Substitutions

    Instead of mayonnaise, some other recipes for this kind of sauce suggest using unsalted butter, salted butter, heavy cream or chicken broth, and all-purpose flour. I feel that mayo is the best ingredient but these are other ingredients you can check out if needed to make this dipping sauce.

    Variations

    Mayonnaise: Use any brand of real mayonnaise you prefer. I like to use the Sir Kensington's Mayonnaise brand for my recipes since it uses Certified Human Free Range eggs, is non-GMO, and of course, tastes absolutely amazing.

    Parmigiano Reggiano can be substituted for grated parmesan in this recipe. Although for the increased cost, I don't feel that it adds that much of a better flavor profile for the sauce.

    You can also use Pecorino Romano in place of the freshly grated parmesan if needed. Pecorino is a bit sharper than parmesan and much saltier. If you are using your sauce in another dish that requires salt, decrease the amount of salt in the other dish and taste test it before adding any additional salt. I also recommend you use kosher salt because of the larger crystals which will blend more easily and are easier to add in smaller quantities.

    For a spicy sauce add in some hot sauce, red pepper flakes, or mix it with sriracha sauce.

    bowl of garlic parmesan sauce with wings for dipping in the back
    Creamy Garlic Parmesan Garlic Sauce for Wings

    Serving Suggestions

    There are numerous things you can use this creamy garlic sauce for but I think my favorite is using it as the best garlic parmesan wing sauce for crispy chicken wings or as a dipping sauce for fresh veggies.

    I also love drizzling garlic cream sauce on top of roasted veggies or different cuts and types of meats to bring even more delicious flavor to recipes I already love! Or how about using it as an awesome salad dressing on a classic Caesar salad topped with marinated steak tips.

    Storage Instructions

    The sauce can be made up to 2 days ahead of time. If you make the garlic parmesan sauce ahead of time, make sure to stir it all up again before using it.

    For best results, any leftover garlic parmesan sauce can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days as long as no other ingredients have been dipped into the sauce. If the creamy sauce has been dipped into by air fryer wings or any other appetizer or snack, you'll need to discard the sauce. You won't be able to save the leftovers for later use.

    📋 Recipe

    creamy garlic parmesan sauce in a white bowl ready for dipping

    Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce

    This creamy, flavorful sauce is a crowd favorite for wings. Use the sauce for dipping your wings or toss the cooked wings right in the sauce. It also makes a great dipping sauce for potato wedges, onion rings and veggies. You can spread this versatile sauce on pizza, stir it into pasta. or serve it alongside grilled chicken or pork. The possibilities are endless.
    4.50 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 0 mins
    Chilling Time 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 5 mins
    Course Sauces
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 1 cup or 2 tablespoons per person
    Calories 216 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 cup real mayonnaise
    • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese
    • 1 ½ tablespoons garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise and olive oil. Add the grated parmesan, garlic and ground pepper; stirring well until combined
    • Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
    • Serve with your favorite chicken wings or other dippers.

    Cooks Tips

    Use a freshly grated parmesan cheese instead of the of powdered parmesan cheese than comes in a green can. The powdered cheese does not have the same flavor as freshly grated. Did you know you can grate your own parmesan cheese?
    How to grate parmesan cheese: Cut a block of parmesan into 1-inch chunks. Place the chunks in a food process and process about 20 seconds or until ground into coarse particles.
    How much block cheese is needed: You will need a ½ ounce block of parmesan to for the 2 tablespoons of grated cheese that you need for this recipe. I suggest processing more than you need and refrigerating the remainder in an airtight container. Freshly grated cheese keeps its full flavor for about 2 weeks. 
    Do not skip the step of refrigerating the sauce for 1 hour.  The sauce needs this time to meld the flavors properly. 
    Storage: The sauce can be made up to 2 days ahead of time. Stir again before using. Leftover sauce can also be stored for 2 days if no other ingredients have been dipped into the sauce. If it has been dipped in directly, discard the sauce.
    Variations:
    Mayonnaise: I prefer Sir Kensington's Mayonnaise for my recipes as it uses Certified Human Free Range eggs, it is non-GMO and tastes amazing. If you have another brand you prefer, such as Hellman's, feel free to use that.
    Parmigiano Reggiano can be substituted for parmesan in this recipe. Although for the increased cost, I don't feel it adds a better flavor profile for the sauce.
    Pecorino Romano can be substituted for freshly grated parmesan if needed. Pecorino is a bit sharper than parmesan and much more salty. If you are using your sauce in another dish that requires salt, decrease the amount of salt in the other dish, taste test and add salt if desired. I also recommend you use kosher salt because of the larger crystals which will blend more easily and are easier to add smaller quantities.
    Garlic powder: Do not substitute fresh minced garlic or granulated garlic for the powdered kind. Either type will not absorb well and you will have small pieces of garlic in your sauce.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 216kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 201mgPotassium: 27mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 30IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 1mg
    Collections 5 Ingredients or Less, Easy, Game Day, Make-Ahead, Party
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was @MavenCookery or tag #mavencookery!

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    I am a best-selling cookbook author, recipe developer, and mom to an amazing lady. I am crazy about eating, cooking, and celebrating with family and friends. Maven Cookery was developed to share my recipes and help make delicious comforting meals easier to make for the home cook.

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