Creamy Garlic Baby Potatoes: The Ultimate Comfort-Food Side Dish

There are side dishes, and then there are the unforgettable ones — the dishes that steal the spotlight from the main course and make everyone ask, “Can I have the recipe?” Creamy Garlic Baby Potatoes belong in that category. Rich, velvety, buttery, garlicky, and incredibly comforting, this recipe transforms simple baby potatoes into a luxurious dish worthy of both weeknight dinners and festive gatherings.

Baby potatoes are already a favorite for their tender texture and naturally sweet flavor, but when simmered in a luscious garlic cream sauce with parmesan and herbs, they become irresistible. This dish is shockingly easy to make yet tastes like something from a restaurant. It requires minimal ingredients, minimal prep time, and just one skillet — making it perfect for busy cooks who still want a show-stopping side dish.

Whether you’re serving roasted chicken, grilled steak, baked fish, or a holiday feast, these potatoes fit the menu effortlessly. They’re creamy enough to replace mashed potatoes, flavorful enough to stand alone, and comforting enough to become a regular part of your meal rotation.


Why You’ll Love Creamy Garlic Baby Potatoes

  • One-pan recipe — everything cooks in the same skillet.
  • No peeling required — baby potatoes cook quickly and evenly.
  • Luxuriously creamy sauce — garlic, butter, and cream combine into magic.
  • Perfect texture — soft, buttery potatoes that melt in your mouth.
  • Restaurant-quality flavor — elegant enough for guests, simple enough for everyday meals.
  • Flexible & customizable — add herbs, cheeses, or spices easily.
  • Pairs with EVERYTHING — chicken, beef, pasta, seafood, vegetarian mains.

This is the kind of dish that makes meals memorable without effort.


Ingredients

For the Potatoes

  • 2 lbs baby potatoes, whole or halved
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Prepare potatoes.
    Rinse baby potatoes. If large, cut in half; smaller ones can stay whole.
  2. Sauté garlic.
    Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant (do not brown).
  3. Add potatoes.
    Stir potatoes to coat them in butter and garlic.
  4. Add broth.
    Pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.
  5. Cover and cook.
    Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 12–15 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
  6. Add cream and seasoning.
    Pour in heavy cream. Add Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and parmesan.
  7. Thicken the sauce.
    Simmer uncovered for 5–7 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce becomes creamy and coats the potatoes.
  8. Finish with herbs.
    Stir in fresh parsley. Add extra salt or parmesan if needed.
  9. Serve hot.
    Enjoy immediately while the sauce is silky and warm.

Creamy Garlic Baby Potatoes

Tender baby potatoes simmered in a rich garlic cream sauce with parmesan and herbs. A luxurious, easy side dish for any meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 290

Ingredients
  

Potatoes
  • 2 lbs baby potatoes whole or halved
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 0.5 cup chicken broth
  • 0.5 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp pepper
  • 2 tbsp parsley chopped

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Cutting board
  • Wooden spoon

Method
 

  1. Melt butter in a large skillet and sauté garlic for 1 minute.
  2. Add baby potatoes and stir to coat in garlic butter.
  3. Pour in chicken broth, cover, and cook 12–15 minutes until fork-tender.
  4. Add heavy cream, parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  5. Simmer uncovered 5–7 minutes until sauce thickens.
  6. Stir in parsley and serve hot.

Notes

Use fresh parmesan for best melting.

Tips for the Best Creamy Garlic Potatoes

Use baby potatoes for quick cooking

Their thin skins and soft texture make them ideal for creamy dishes.

Do not overcook garlic

Browned garlic becomes bitter; keep heat moderate.

Fresh parmesan melts better

Powdered varieties can make sauce grainy.

Let sauce reduce

Simmer uncovered to thicken properly.

Add broth before cream

This helps cook potatoes faster without risking curdling.


Delicious Variations

Garlic Parmesan Potatoes

Double the parmesan, add a sprinkle on top before serving.

Cheesy Ranch Version

Replace Italian seasoning with 1 tbsp ranch seasoning mix.

Smoky Bacon Version

Add ½ cup crispy chopped bacon before serving.

Herb & Lemon

Add lemon zest + thyme for brightness.

Creamy Cajun Potatoes

Add 1 tsp Cajun seasoning for spice and depth.


What to Serve with Creamy Garlic Baby Potatoes

  • Roast chicken
  • Baked salmon
  • Steak and grilled meats
  • Meatloaf
  • Pork chops
  • Vegetarian mains
  • Holiday ham
  • Thanksgiving turkey
  • Garlic butter shrimp
  • Pasta dishes

This recipe fits everything from Sunday dinner to Christmas dinner.


Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

  • Refrigerate up to 4 days
  • Reheat gently on stovetop with a splash of cream
  • Do not freeze (cream-based sauces may separate)

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