Craving that creamy, garlicky richness you get from Buffalo Wild Wings? This copycat Garlic Parmesan Sauce delivers all the flavor in just about 10 minutes. It’s velvety, savory, and simple—perfect as a dip for wings or a drizzle over veggies, pasta, or sandwiches.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This sauce brings together the best of both worlds: the bold flavor of garlic and parmesan with a smooth, creamy texture. It’s easy to whip up with everyday ingredients, free of preservatives, and versatile in its uses. Whether you’re dipping wings or want to elevate your pasta, this sauce does it all.
What Is Garlic Parmesan Sauce?
Garlic Parmesan Sauce is a creamy, savory dip that pairs beautifully with chicken wings. Its rich texture softens the heat of spicy wings, and the parmesan adds a salty, cheesy punch. Beyond wings, it’s a great option as a pasta sauce, a spread, or a dip for vegetables.
The Inspiration: Buffalo Wild Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings, a popular American chain founded in 1982, is known for its wide variety of bold sauces and wings. Among their lineup is the Garlic Parmesan dipping sauce, beloved for its creamy, mellow flavor. This copycat version aims to recreate that in your own kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make about 1 cup of sauce (serves ~4):
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon freshly crushed black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- ½ cup mayonnaise
Each ingredient plays a role: the butter adds richness, garlic gives punch, cream for smooth texture, parmesan for the signature flavor, spices for balance, and mayo to tie it all together.
Instructions (Step‑by‑Step)
- Gather all your ingredients so everything is within reach.
- In a pan over medium heat, melt the butter and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant.
- Stir in the heavy cream and mix until smooth.
- Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until it melts and combines. Remove from heat.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning, red chili flakes, black pepper, and salt. Transfer the mixture to a bowl.
- Fold in the mayonnaise, stir thoroughly, then taste and adjust salt or spice as needed.
- Serve immediately with wings, or refrigerate until ready to use.
Make‑Ahead & Storage
You can prepare this sauce up to 4–5 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container or mason jar in the fridge. Before serving, stir it again, as separation may occur.
Substitutions & Variations
- Cheese swap: Use Asiago or Grana Padano instead of Parmesan.
- Garlic Parmesan Buffalo Style: Add buffalo seasoning, paprika, onion powder, or cayenne for a spicy twist.
- Roasted garlic version: Roast garlic beforehand and use it for a milder, sweet garlic flavor.
Tips for Best Results
- Use fresh garlic and freshly grated Parmesan — they make a big difference.
- Stick to heavy cream (not half‑and‑half) for optimal creaminess.
- To bump up heat, a dash of sriracha or Tabasco works well.
- Adjust salt last, especially if your butter or Parmesan is already salty.
Ways to Use This Sauce
- As a dip for wings, fries, pizza, breadsticks, or veggies
- As a spread inside sandwiches, wraps, or burgers
- Tossed with pasta or noodles for a creamy garlic Parmesan dish
- As a marinade or sauce for chicken, shrimp, fried fish, or tuna
Nutrition (per serving, approximate)
- Calories: 267 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 34 mg
- Sodium: 254 mg
- Potassium: 35 mg
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Sugar: 1 g
- Calcium: 63 mg
- Iron: 0.3 mg