Rich, creamy, and bursting with bold garlic flavor, this Garlic Parmesan Sauce is a game-changer for pasta, chicken, vegetables, and more. Whether you’re drizzling it over grilled meats or using it as a dip, this lighter version delivers indulgence without the heaviness of traditional recipes.
With just a handful of simple ingredients and a quick cooking process, you can have a velvety sauce ready in minutes. Perfect for meal prep, weeknight dinners, or elevating your favorite comfort foods!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Creamy & Flavorful: The perfect balance of garlic, cheese, and rich texture.
Lighter Ingredients: Enjoy all the flavor with a healthier twist.
Versatile: Use on pasta, chicken, veggies, or even as a dipping sauce.
Quick & Easy: Ready in just 10 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp light butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or low-fat milk)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp cream cheese (light or reduced-fat)
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water (for thickening)
Instructions
Sauté the Garlic
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the light butter.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant (be careful not to burn it).
Build the Sauce Base
- Pour in the almond milk and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese, cream cheese, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and Italian seasoning.
Thicken the Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry.
- Slowly whisk the slurry into the sauce, stirring continuously until it thickens (about 2-3 minutes).
Serve & Enjoy
- Remove from heat and let the sauce sit for a minute to thicken further.
- Drizzle over pasta, grilled chicken, roasted veggies, or use as a dip!

Nutritional Information (Per 2 Tbsp Serving)
Calories: 50 | Protein: 3g | Carbs: 2g | Fat: 3g
Tips for Success
- Use Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives the best flavor.
- Adjust Thickness: Add more cornstarch for a thicker sauce or extra milk for a thinner consistency.
- Low & Slow Cooking: Avoid high heat to prevent the cheese from clumping.
- Make It Dairy-Free: Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan and a dairy-free cream cheese alternative.
- Store & Reheat: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently over low heat, adding a splash of milk if needed.
Why This Recipe Works
- Lower in Calories & Fat: Uses light butter and almond milk instead of heavy cream.
- Same Great Flavor: Parmesan and garlic ensure richness without the extra calories.
- Versatile & Meal-Prep Friendly: Works with many dishes and stores well.
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce proves that you don’t need heavy cream and butter to achieve bold, rich flavor. Whether you’re looking for a delicious pasta sauce, a topping for grilled meats, or a tasty dip, this recipe delivers indulgence in a balanced way.
Try it on your favorite meals, and enjoy a creamy, garlicky delight—without the guilt!
Garlic Parmesan Sauce: Your New Go-To Sauce for Elevating Meals
2 Tbsp
servings5
minutes10
minutes50
kcalIngredients
1 tbsp light butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or low-fat milk)
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp cream cheese (light or reduced-fat)
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
½ tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water (for thickening)
Instructions
- Sauté the Garlic
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the light butter.
Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant (be careful not to burn it). - Build the Sauce Base
Pour in the almond milk and bring to a gentle simmer.
Stir in the Parmesan cheese, cream cheese, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and Italian seasoning. - Thicken the Sauce
In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry.
Slowly whisk the slurry into the sauce, stirring continuously until it thickens (about 2-3 minutes). - Serve & Enjoy
Remove from heat and let the sauce sit for a minute to thicken further.
Drizzle over pasta, grilled chicken, roasted veggies, or use as a dip!
Notes
- Use Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives the best flavor.
Adjust Thickness: Add more cornstarch for a thicker sauce or extra milk for a thinner consistency.
Low & Slow Cooking: Avoid high heat to prevent the cheese from clumping.
Make It Dairy-Free: Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan and a dairy-free cream cheese alternative.
Store & Reheat: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently over low heat, adding a splash of milk if needed.