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Alfredo sauce is one of my most popular recipes EVER! This sauce is ultra creamy and belongs on everything. It’s so much better than store-bought and only takes 20 minutes to make!
A Reader’s Review
This was BY FAR the best alfredo recipe I have yet to find! If any of you are looking for online alfredo recipes, you can quit looking. This one is the richest/creamiest/most appetizing one I’ve found yet. I’ve trialed with several and this one beats them all. EXCELLENT recipe!! My husband cannot stop talking about how much ‘better’ my alfredo is this time!
Why You Need to Make This Alfredo Sauce Today!
- It’s so good, I eat it with a spoon! I “test” it so many times while cooking that I’m usually full before dinner even starts. It’s that creamy, cheesy, and irresistible.
- Cream cheese makes it next-level! This is my secret ingredient! It adds the perfect tang and smooth texture that most Alfredo sauces are missing.
- You won’t believe how simple and fast this is! It tastes fancy, but it’s so easy. One pan, a few ingredients, and 20 minutes later, you’re a dinner hero.
Ingredients Needed
- Different Cheese: To switch up the flavor, use half Romano cheese or Asiago cheese instead of Parmesan cheese.
- Do I have to use cream cheese? You can omit the cream cheese, but I suggest replacing it with 1/2 cup of additional heavy cream.
- Fresh or canned Parmesan? Freshly grated Parmesan is a must! The stuff in a can will make the sauce grainy, and the pre-shredded kind will end up very clumpy.
- Can I substitute the heavy Cream? You can use milk or half & half instead. The sauce will be lighter, but still tasty.
- Make it spicy! You can add in more spices and seasonings like red pepper flakes or paprika so your Alfredo has a little kick to it! Similar to this Cajun Alfredo pasta!
- What protein can I add? Alfredo sauce goes so well with chicken or shrimp.
How to Make Alfredo Sauce from Scratch
Not only does this Alfredo sauce use simple, everyday ingredients, but it also comes together in minutes.
- Melt: Add the butter, cream, and cream cheese to a medium pan and whisk over medium heat until melted.
- Whisk: Add the minced garlic, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper and whisk until combined. Make sure to whisk it together rather than stirring with a spatula. This will help your Alfredo sauce not to separate.
- Gradually Add Cheese: Continue to whisk until smooth before gradually adding the Parmesan cheese. (Overheating can cause the cheese to break and turn clumpy. Keep the heat low, stir gently, and avoid boiling. For best results, add the Parmesan off heat to help it melt smoothly.)
- Simmer and Serve: Bring to a simmer and whisk for about 3-5 minutes or until it thickens. Toss it with fettuccine noodles and serve immediately.
Alyssa’s Pro Tips
Want a thicker sauce? Cut the cream cheese up into cubes and add in small amounts at a time while stirring. It melts evenly and enhances the texture. If needed, whisk together 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stir it in to thicken further.
How Many Cups Does It Yield?
When you are done making your Alfredo sauce you will be able to fill a tall canning jar. This is about 14 to 16 ounces (1 pound) of pasta or 2 cups of sauce. I like to reserve a little sauce on the side for dipping breadsticks in.
Storing Leftover Alfredo Sauce
Alfredo sauce is a favorite at our house and I know that it won’t last long, even if I double it!
- In the Fridge: Store your homemade Alfredo sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: Reheat your sauce on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often. It is best not to microwave this sauce because it can cause the sauce to break and turn oily.
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Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream 1 pint
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Add ½ cup unsalted butter, 2 cups heavy whipping cream, and 4 ounces cream cheese to a medium saucepan and whisk over medium heat until melted.
- Add ½ teaspoon minced garlic, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper Continue to whisk until smooth before gradually adding 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese.
- Bring to a simmer and continue to whisk for about 3-5 minutes or until it thickens. Toss it with your favorite pasta and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The alfredo sauce is wonderful, thank you!!
YES! I am so happy you liked it! It can go on just about anything! XOXO
I love this recipe but when I reheat the pasta or cook it in the oven, the sauce breaks and the butter makes it greasy. Why is this happening and how do I fix it.
The heat breaks up the sauce when warmed up. You can always try using milk instead of the cream or stirring it for a few minutes usually brings it back to the alfredo looking sauce. Hope that helps! XOXO
Help!! My sauce totally separated. I’ve been stirring and stirring but it’s just a greasy coating on top. Any way of fixing it or do I have to start over???
Is “one batch” of this recipe the amount for like one pound of pasta, or how much of the sauce per pasta would you recommend?
Yes, I usually use 1 pound of pasta with this. Hope that helps! Let me know what you think! Thanks so much! XOXO
I agree, it is fantastic. My son said, “This dish is on the flavor train!” Worry about the high fat, but it is delicious. Glad that the pendulum has swung back and fat is good for us again!
That is great! I am so happy to hear he loved it! Thanks so much for sharing! XOXO
Alyssa, this recipe is right on the money. I could tell by looking at your proportions. I tend to cook on the fly and have used cream cheese to improve jarred alfredo sauce in the past. Your recipe provides a great template to get away from jar sauces. You call for less butter than most alfredo, which I believe is good, because I like a creamy sauce for alfredo not a greasy sauce. I found out the “real alfredo” in Italy is actually just butter and parmesan cheese, but I think most of us Americans are looking for a creamy sauce and this one is tops!!! I’m going to try out more of your recipes.
You nailed it! I will be using this for my Alfredo sauce permanently, it is like when I accomplished my first excellent gravy 25 plus years ago, I can adjust for different types of meat in gravy recipes but this recipe is perfect and will go with everything. I wouldn’t change a thing. Thank you.
AWE!! You are SO sweet! I really appreciate it! I am so glad that you LOVED it! Thank you for sharing! XOXO
Excellent recipe, I loved it! I added roasted red pepper to one batch and used my immersion blender to make it smooth and creamy.
That sounds delicious! I love roasted red pepper! Thanks for sharing! XOXO
Hands down, the best alfredo sauce I’ve ever made! I’m from NM so I added green chile, but I will never make another base sauce. So delicious.
YES!! That is what I love to hear! I am so happy that you love it! It is one of our very favorite simple meals! XOXO
want to try this recipe. do i need fresh parm or can i use shaker kind???
Can you make this with milk instead of cream? If so what changes need to be made?
I have made this twice thus far and absolutely love it! So rich and creamy, and so very easy.
That is so great to hear! I am so happy you have tried it twice! It is so simple and delicious!! Thanks for sharing! XOXO
Sounds delicious! How much pasta do you use with this amount of sauce and how many people would you say it feeds? Thank you!
Usually we cook up about a pound of noodles. It will feed 4-6 adults. Hope that helps! XOXO
I made the alfredo sauce tonight. Thank you for this wonderful recipe!! I added some noodles , some leftover cooked chicken and frozen peas. Served with a side salad. Such a flavorful dinner. Thanks again:-)
YAY! WE love this alfredo sauce! It is so perfecta and goes on everything! I am so glad you loved it! XOXO
Can’t wait to try!!! Sounds fabulous…
Won’t allow me to type a comment.
Hope to receive your recipes in the future.
My son sent me these…
Can’t wait to try!!! Sounds fabulous…
Just made this Alfredo sauce for the second time! It’s so good! I use a Parmesan, Romano, Asiago mix from Trader Joe’s and love the flavors it provides!
It is SO good!! I could drink it on bad days;) LOL! I love your additions to it! Thanks for sharing! XOXO