This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy.
This is the most creamy and delicious homemade alfredo sauce that you will ever make! It’s a tried and true recipe that will take all of your favorite pasta dishes to the next level.
This is my most popular recipe for a good reason! If you love alfredo as much as I do try this Creamy Garlic Shrimp Alfredo Pasta, Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta or Asiago Garlic Alfredo Pasta.
Best-Ever Alfredo Sauce
This is probably one of my favorite recipes here on the blog. (It’s a reader-favorite, too!) If there is one thing I can always count on my family to eat it is my homemade alfredo sauce over pasta. With alfredo sauce this creamy, cheesy, and flavorful, it’s so hard to resist!
We recently had some company over for dinner and I made these Chicken Bacon Garlic Alfredo Roll Ups. They are always are a huge hit! This homemade alfredo sauce really makes any dish shine. It’s thick and creamy, coats pasta perfectly, and the flavor is out of the world. It is restaurant quality that you can make right at home!
Ingredients You Need to Make It
You only need a few simple ingredients to make the BEST alfredo sauce. This sauce just has a smooth, creamy texture that melts in your mouth. For the best possible flavor, using the freshest ingredients is key! Fresh parmesan cheese grated off the block is one of those key ingredients. This will create a smooth textured sauce rather than a grainy one.
- Butter: Both unsalted or salted work for this alfredo sauce recipe. If using salted butter, then just adjust the extra salt you use or omit it entirely.
- Heavy Cream: A must-add so your sauce is rich and creamy.
- Cream Cheese: My secret ingredient! This adds a nice, thick consistency to your alfredo sauce.
- Minced Garlic: For the best flavor, use fresh garlic.
- Garlic Powder: Because you can never go wrong with too much garlic! Add some of this in so your sauce has a little extra savory flavor.
- Italian Seasoning: My favorite blend of herbs! They make the sauce smell and taste amazing.
- Salt and Pepper: Add both to taste.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Using freshly grated parmesan cheese is best. Powdered cheese will create a grainy texture and does not melt through when heated. This is because of all the preservatives that are added.
How to Make Alfredo Sauce From Scratch
Not only does this alfredo sauce recipe use super simple ingredients, but it’s so quick and easy to make! Simply combine all of your ingredients in a skillet and achieve creamy, cheesy goodness. It’s so good!
- Whisk Dairy Ingredients Together: In a medium saucepan add butter, heavy whipping cream, and cream cheese. Then cook over medium heat and whisk until melted.
- Add In Seasonings: Add the minced garlic, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper. Then continue to whisk until smooth.
- Stir in Cheese: Add the grated parmesan cheese.
- Thicken Your Sauce: Bring to a simmer and continue to cook for about 3-5 minutes until it starts to thicken.
- Toss With Pasta: Toss alfredo sauce with your favorite pasta! I always go for fettuccine noodles to make the best fettuccine alfredo ever!
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.
Alfredo Sauce FAQ
This thick, cheesy, and flavorful sauce is a reader favorite for good reason! These are a few common questions I get asked, I hope they help you create the homemade alfredo sauce of your dreams!
- Can I Make Alfredo Sauce With Milk Instead of Cream? Adding milk is always an option. You will end up with a lighter and less thick consistency but it will work. Half and half is another option you can use. If you need to thicken your sauce up a little more, then add 1 to 2 teaspoons of flour until you reach your desired consistency.
- How Do I Make My Sauce Thicker? When adding cream cheese, slowly cut chunks of cream cheese as you are stirring. This helps create a thicker and creamier sauce. You can also use a roux by using an equal amount of butter to flour, about 1 teaspoon.
- Is This Alfredo Sauce Gluten-Free? This recipe is considered gluten-free! It has an amazing flavor without substitutions.
- Is Alfredo Sauce Made With Cheese? This is a cheese-based pasta sauce that is rich in flavor. It does not harden like cheese though.
- Can I Make it Dairy-Free? There are substitutions to make this dairy-free but I do not recommend it if you are looking for an authentic alfredo sauce. Having dairy in the recipe makes it rich, creamy, and smooth. If you absolutely must, then swap out the heavy cream for a dairy-free creamer or nut milk and use dairy-free or vegan cheese crumbles. Keep in mind that the texture may end up slightly different.
- What Protein Can I Add? Alfredo sauce goes so well with chicken or fish. Try this crispy parmesan chicken or garlic brown sugar salmon!
Tips and Variations
I think this sauce is even better than any restaurant that I have been to and the best part is- you can make it yourself! It’s thick, creamy, and rich. The perfect sauce for your favorite pasta. I know that you will quickly agree that it is the BEST! This will be a recipe that you make again and again, just like I do!
- Use a Whisk: Avoid separating your alfredo sauce when mixing it by whisking it together rather than stirring with a spatula.
- Cook Low and Slow: The most important rule is to not overheat your alfredo sauce. Slowly add ingredients on a low heat and for a short period of time. Melted cheese will break and separate once it gets too hot leaving your cheese clumpy. Do not boil or overheat. Boiling will separate and ruin the alfredo sauce. If you are worried about overheating, then add your parmesan with the heat off. This will also prevent clumping!
- Protein Choices: Grilled chicken, fish, shredded rotisserie chicken, or shrimp are great with this sauce!
- Extra Seasonings: Add in more spices and seasonings like red pepper flakes or paprika so your alfredo has a kick of heat, similar to this One Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta.
- Different Cheese: To switch up the flavor, use half Romano cheese or asiago cheese instead of parmesan cheese.
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! Here’s how to store any leftovers so you can enjoy it again and again.
- Storing in the Refrigerator: I like to store my alfredo sauce in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. It will stay good for about 5 days. The ingredients may separate as it sits, so give it a quick stir before you use it.
- Reheating: Slowly is key! Use low temperatures and stir often. If it starts to separate, slowly whisk it back together over low heat on the stovetop. It is best not to microwave this sauce. It becomes more oily and separates just as easily, if not more.
More Amazing Alfredo Recipes
If you love everything alfredo, here are a few more great dishes to try. They’re easy, cheesy, and picky eater approved! What could be better than that? So go ahead, try them out with that tasty batch of alfredo sauce you just made!
Pin this now to find it later
Pin It
The Best Homemade Alfredo Sauce Ever!
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream or 2 cups
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan add butter, heavy whipping cream, and cream cheese. Cook over medium heat and whisk until melted.
- Add the minced garlic, garlic powder, italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Continue to whisk until smooth. Add the grated parmesan cheese.
- Bring to a simmer and continue to cook for about 3-5 minutes or until it starts to thicken. Toss it with your favorite pasta!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Nice creamy flavor! I have been making my own Alfredo sauce for years but I wanted to try it with cream cheese. This recipe hit the mark!
This is one of the best homemade sauces ever!!! I will NOT buy another jar sauce ever!!!
Just made this and it is AMAZING!! I added a lil more garlic and 1/2 tsp. of lawyers. Thanks for this recipe you rock!! 🙂
The grocery store has heavy cream and whipping cream. There is no heavy whipping cream…which one should i get???
The heavy cream will be great! XOXO
Either will work. Heavy is thicker.
Your Alfredo sauce looks delicious however it doesn’t say how much it makes or how many servings. Please share
4 servings , 3 if you plan on dipping bread sticks… RECOMMENDED!
Which type of Parmesan cheese do you use? The pre-grated one you can buy from the shelf to sprinkle on your food or the one that’s refridgerated and you have to grate yourself?
Hi Becca, i would stick with the refrigerated Parmesan cheese. It tastes so much better.
Hi Alyssa, the sauce was delicious. I did notice that it didn’t thicken while I was cooking it, but once it was on the pasta, it worked out. Simply delicious. I’ve tried a few, but this by far is the best one. A definite keeper. Thank you for sharing the recipe with us! Happy Thanksgiving.
AWESOME!! I am glad that it turned out for you! Thanks so much for sharing! XOXO
Hello there, I was just wondering about your homemade Alfredo sauce. I wondered what amout in ounces does that equal to! It sounds good , but I wanted to be sure I was making enough for my dinner meal or if I had to double it?? I was making chicken alfredo for about 10 people, thank you for your time!
Well after I posted I see that my question has already been answered! Can’t wait to try this out!Thanks, Marie
Undoubtedly the best Alfredo sauce recipe…. It was finger licking good!! Thank you for such an awesome recipe.
YAY!! That is exciting! I am so glad that you loved it! Thanks so much for sharing! XOXO
Made this recipe last night and OMG!! I COULDN’T stop tasting this sauce! I will NEVER by another jar of Alfredo sauce; I even made my own Italian seasoning! My meal was a big hit and there were no leftovers. Thank you for this delicious and simple recipe. I totally enjoy this site!
LOL! That is awesome and just what I LOVE to hear! I am so happy that you loved it that much! Thanks so much for sharing! XOXO
I’m looking forward to trying your sauce — the cream cheese sounds like an awesome addition. However, I must mention that Alfredo Sauce without a touch of nutmeg just isn’t right! FWIW! Thanks for sharing!
Good stuff. We are happy!
We are a picky family of five and this was such a delicious and easy recipe. All three children loved it! I added chicken and fresh broccoli to my recipe. Thanks for sharing!
YAY!! I am glad it made it past 5 picky eaters!! That is amazing! I love the fresh broccoli idea! XOXO
I made this tonight and I just have to say OH MY GOSH!!!! This is truly the best alfredo sauce I have ever had. My only complaint is I’m not a huge fan of Italian seasoning so I think I will cut it in half next time. I will definitely make it again!!!
The recipe is for how many average servings?
4-6 servings with 1 pound/box of noodles. Hope that helps!! XOXO
Just an fyi, arty the top you state 10 servings. You might want to change. I’ve got to feed 25 and about to do 3 batches. If it truly only dies 4-6 I need to head back to the store. Glad I was reading thru the comments and saw this.
I’ve made this before but never stopped to measure servings cause I usually make extra for left overs? also, reheats great. Just have to go slow and sometimes add a little more cream.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful receipe!!! It is my go to alfredo sauce! Everyone raves about it!
LeAnne with Ace Catering
I have been having stomach issues caused by stress and irritated by Garlic so I have to make sauces from scratch. A friend told me about this recipe and advised me to omit the Garlic. I can’t wait to try it!