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Best Homemade Alfredo Sauce

Last updated on May 23rd, 2023 at 05:08 pm

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Best Homemade Alfredo Sauce [Video]

Homemade Alfredo Sauce is a super easy recipe to make from scratch, it is rich, creamy, and packed with garlic parmesan flavors. It is one of the best dishes you can make that goes perfectly with your favorite pasta or pizza!

A delicious homemade sauce will go a long way on many dishes. It is our favorite sauce to use because it is so easy to make with few simple ingredients, and is always rich and flavorful. Once you try this recipe, you will never go back to the store-bought jar bottled version. 

Alfredo Sauce is a creamy white sauce that can be used with just about anything from savory food to sweets. In fact, this easy Alfredo sauce recipe is perfect for all sorts of different dishes. You only need a handful of basic ingredients like cream, parmesan, butter, and garlic for the perfect alfredo sauce home made.

An Italian husband named Alfredo di Lelio invented this delicious sauce in 1908 in Rome. He was trying to get his wife to eat after giving birth when she lost her appetite. And it worked! Since then, we have been using his special sauce on everything from meat to salad. 

Making Alfredo sauce homemade is so much better than buying it in a jar. If you have been wondering how to make homemade Alfredo sauce, you will love this simple Alfredo sauce recipe.

This recipe for alfredo sauce is simple to make and it only takes a few minutes. All you need is butter, cream cheese, heavy cream, garlic, parmesan cheese, and a few herbs and spices. 

Using fresh ingredients is the key here. Freshly minced garlic, cream, and parmesan are the perfect combinations. When combined, they yield a thick and creamy sauce with flavors that is out of this world! This recipe will yield about two cups, but you can easily double the ingredients for larger portions. 

Ingredients needed:

These simple alfredo sauce ingredients may already be in your kitchen so you may not have to shop for anything to make authentic alfredo sauce. When you are ready to begin, find our handy recipe card at the bottom of the page for precise measurements and instructions.

  • Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated.
  • Butter
  • Heavy cream
  • Fresh garlic: Minced.
  • Cream cheese: Optional but it makes the sauce creamier.
  • Italian seasoning: Optional.
  • Nutmeg: Optional.
  • Kosher salt
  • Black pepper

How to make Alfredo sauce from scratch?

  1. Melt the cream: First, melt cream cheese, whipping cream, and butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Continue to cook for two minutes, stirring frequently, until it starts to simmer. 
  2. Add the seasoning: Then, whisk in the garlic seasoning, salt, and pepper for one minute. 
  3. Whisk in the parmesan: Next, turn the heat down to low and add the parmesan cheese. Continue whisking it until it is melted. 
  4. Garnish and serve: Last, remove from the heat and add the nutmeg if you are using it. Then, serve creamy Alfredo sauce on your favorite pasta or whatever else you like. 

Recipe variations:

  • Best Alfredo recipe: Some say the best Alfredo sauce recipe is made with red pepper flakes. Add some if you like spicy food. 
  • Add sugar: Others say the best homemade Alfredo sauce is sweeter, with a bit of granulated sugar mixed in. 
  • Make it your own recipe Alfredo sauce: Change up this easy Alfredo recipe by adding your own favorite herbs and spices such as thyme, rosemary, or smoked paprika. 
  • Add veggies: Chop up some fresh veggies to add to your sauce like celery, broccoli, and bell peppers. 
  • More cheese: Everything tastes better with more cheese. Try some shredded mozzarella, cheddar, or Monterey jack. 
  • Bacon: Just like cheese, everything tastes better with bacon. 
  • A hearty meal: Make it a hearty meal by adding chicken, beef, turkey, or ham. 

How to serve:

This easy recipe can be served with anything you like. You can use it as a dip or a topping or mix it in with a meat dish. When you try it, you will want to use it with everything. Okay, maybe not ice cream. But almost anything. Try some of these great serving ideas for this home made alfredo sauce from scratch or share some of your own ideas in the comments section. 

  • This homemade sauce is perfect on pizza with chicken, ham, or turkey. 
  • Use this simple alfredo sauce for any homemade chicken alfredo sauce recipe. Try our instant pot chicken alfredo recipe to make a quick and easy dinner tonight. 
  • Sprinkle some romano cheese on top right before serving for a richer flavor. 
  • Another great recipe to make with this deliciously creamy sauce is our slow-cooker Tuscan chicken pasta. 
  • This is the perfect dip for fresh veggies like carrot sticks, celery, and broccoli florets.
  • In addition, add it to any casserole to make it creamy and rich. Try it with our cheesy white pizza casserole.
  • You can also use Alfredo as a sandwich spread for any kind of sandwich you like. 

Frequently asked questions:

What is traditional Alfredo sauce made of?

The first recipe for Alfredo sauce was made with just four ingredients. These include butter, pasta water, parmesan cheese, and salt. The pasta water is important because it is a thickener. The starches from the pasta leak into the water as it cooks so it makes your sauce thicker. 

How do you make Alfredo sauce without dairy?

Although you will find that the classic recipe made with milk or cream is absolutely delicious, you can make it dairy-free. Try using almond milk or coconut cream instead of heavy cream. You can also leave out the cream cheese and parmesan. There are non-dairy substitutes for just about anything now, but your dairy-free sauce will not be as creamy.  

What is the difference between an Alfredo and fettuccine sauce recipe?

How to make fettuccine sauce is exactly the same as how to make an Alfredo sauce. Actually, fettuccini refers to the pasta that you use when you make fettuccine alfredo. The word fettuccine means little ribbons in Italian because the pasta is long and flat like ribbons. Another great pasta to use with creamy Alfredo sauce is linguini.

Is this easy homemade Alfredo sauce healthy?

The sauce itself is not that bad but with the extra heavy cream and cream cheese, it can have a lot of calories and fat. It is usually the pasta that has the most carbs and calories though. If you use it on meat or a different meal, just use smaller portions if you are worried about it.

How can I make this sauce healthier?

If you want to know how to make Alfredo sauce from scratch healthier, you can use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream and omit the cream cheese. However, this will make your Alfredo sauce thinner and not as rich as it would be using our recipe. You can also serve it with healthier pasta choices like whole wheat. 

What are the nutrition facts in this recipe?

Each serving of this homemade alfredo sauce has 387 calories, 13 grams of fat, and 11 grams of saturated fat. It also contains 6 grams carbohydrates, 919 mg sodium, 33 mg cholesterol, and 5 grams sugar. On the other hand, it also has 433 mg calcium, 1,435 units of vitamin A, and 190 mg potassium as well as 13 mg protein and 0.3 mg of iron.

How to make fettuccine alfredo sauce thicker?

If for some reason it is too thin or runny, you can fix it using these two ways:

  • Adding cream cheese. Over low heat, add slowly pieces of cream cheese to it and stir till thickened. This will make the sauce creamier and also thicken it up.
  • Making a Roux. Add an equal amount of butter and flour (about 1 teaspoon) to a pan, and mix/whisk well over low heat. Cook it for about one minute. Next, add the mixture to the sauce and stir continuously until simmering, and the desired consistency is reached.

How to store leftovers:

  • Store: After your leftover Alfredo sauce cools to room temperature, pour it into a jar or another airtight container. It will last for up to five days in the fridge.  
  • Freeze: It is also safe to freeze for up to three months. Just be sure to put it in a freezer-safe container first. 
  • Thaw: The night before you plan on serving it, put it in the fridge to thaw. 
  • Reheat: You can use a microwave to reheat your sauce or add it to whatever dish you are using it in before baking.

More homemade sauces to try:

Recipe tips:

  • For intense garlic flavor, melt the butter and then add the garlic, letting it cook for one minute before adding the rest of the ingredients from step one. 
  • Making homemade alfredo sauce with cream cheese is much richer and creamier than if you did not use it. Although some say it is not an authentic Alfredo from scratch, cream cheese Alfredo sauce is my personal favorite. 
  • For how to make the alfredo sauce recipe easy and shorten prep time, you can use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic. 
  • Instead of heavy cream, you can use half and half or sour cream. 
  • Make sure you do not overheat your sauce. The cheese will break down and clump together. Just heat it over low heat for a short time.
  • Alfredo sauce thickens as it cools. If it is too thick, add cream or milk, ¼ cup at a time until it is the consistency you like. 
  • On the other hand, if your sauce is too thin, you can add some more cream cheese or a bit of flour. 

Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe

  • Prep Time5 MIN
  • Cook Time10 MIN
  • Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 ounces cream cheese optional - it makes the sauce creamier
  • 1/2 teaspoons fresh garlic minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning optional
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg optional

Instructions

  • In a large skillet over medium-low heat, add butter, heavy whipping cream, and cream cheese (if using). Stir over medium-low heat for about 2 minutes until melted and it starts to lightly simmer.
  • Next, whisk in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper for one minute. Note: For extra garlicky flavor, first melt the butter, add the garlic, and cook for 1 minute and then add the ingredients from step 1.
  • Reduce heat to low and add in the shredded Parmesan cheese, and continue to whisk until melted.
  • Serve immediately with your favorite pasta.
  • For a very subtle nutty flavor, sprinkle some nutmeg on top before serving.

Nutrition Facts

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Comments

(111)
Norma Lagace

Norma Lagace

I would freeze if its for a few months down the road

Chef Donato

Chef Donato

Usually the traditional, authentic Italian alfredo sauce is made with just Parmesan cheese, butter, pasta water and salt.

Angela Hawkins

Angela Hawkins

That might be the traditional, but it's nice to mix things up and make it your own. I've used cream cheese in my recipe for years. My family prefers the taste of it to the traditional Alfredo Sauce. To each their own. So yes I love this recipe. I've been doing it for years and years this way. I'm glad someone else out there loves it this way as well

Casey Ransom

Casey Ransom

Omg, loved this sauce I used it with pasta, chicken sausage, green and red bell pepper, and onion. I added a little pasta water, also onion powder, and garlic powder. I also upped the minced garlic to 1 tablespoon. Great sauce that you can tweak to your liking, Thank you!

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