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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!

-Ali

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

Overhead shot of labeled ingredients.
  • 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.

  1. Melt: Add the butter, cream, and cream cheese to a medium pan and whisk over medium heat until melted.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.)
  4. 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.

Ways to Use Homemade Alfredo Sauce

With how easily this alfredo sauce comes together, you will never go back to the jarred sauce again! It’s awesome on top of just about any pasta but is also delicious used as a dip or even spread on pizza.

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Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe

4.92 from 760 votes
By: Alyssa Rivers
This ultra-creamy Alfredo sauce is so delicious and is full of so much flavor!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients 

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

Storing Alfredo Sauce: Store your homemade Alfredo sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 405kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 7gFat: 41gSaturated Fat: 26gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 335mgPotassium: 99mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1522IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 209mgIron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner, Main Course, Sauce
Cuisine: Italian, Italian American
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

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Recipe Rating




1,714 Comments

  1. This looks so good and sounds like the perfect sauce. I can’t wait to make this with the roll ups.
    I wonder how long will the sauce keep in an air tight container?

  2. This recipe is so delicious! I love Alfredo but my husband isn’t a fan of it. I made this the other day and he loved it. I am sharing the recipe with my sister right now.

    1. That is great to hear! I am so glad that he tried it and liked it! We love our alfredo sauce in most of our meals!;)!! XOXO

  3. Yummmmyyyyyy!!!!! I love Alfredo sauce. It have never been that happy with homemade sauces I’ve made. I can’t wait to try this!

  4. 5 stars
    When heating the butter, cream, and cream cheese. DO I whisk it, as to whip the cream? Or just kinda stir it?

  5. 5 stars
    This alfredo recipie was absolutely outstanding! I used it over a shrimp, chicken, broccoli tortellini dish. It was absolutely delicious!

  6. 5 stars
    Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for sharing this recipe! Made it this weekend and it was amazing. Mixed in some grilled chicken and added some provolone in addition to the parm and everyone loved it. This will be my go to. Can’t wait to try some of your other recipes.

  7. Best alfredo sauce I ever made! Thank you for the wonderful recipe. I added some chicken on top of my pasta that I roasted in the oven with the same seasoning (Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and pepper) I received so many compliments and it was super easy to make. Waiting to make the sauce until the pasta is in the water was key because it all came together at the same time! Quick and easy meal that seems as if you spent all day sweating away in the kitchen!

  8. 4 stars
    This was a great recipe and made a smooth, flavorful sauce. Next time, I’ll amp up the garlic and seasoning and add just a touch more cheese. But, this was yummy as us and was very easy to make. Thanks!

  9. 5 stars
    Wow! So So So good! I always rate things if I got in in a restaurant if I would be disappointed… Nope! I would go back next week.

  10. This is by far the best alfredo sauce I’ve ever made. I added a bit of crushed red pepper at the end just to add an extra kick. Oh my word…..I wanted to drink it!! Sooooo good. That addition of cream cheese and Italian seasoning really made all the difference. Thanks for the recipe!!

  11. 5 stars
    Hi Alyssa.
    I am so happy I discovered your recipe, I do not like things from a jar, my husband
    Will absolutely love this homemade recipe. Thank you so much.

    1. It can’t be frozen. It would separate and not do well. It lasts in our fridge about 5-7 days. It makes about 8-10 servings. Hope that helps! XOXO