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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!
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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.
Outrageous! Thanks SO MUCH! I love making food that’s fresh as much as possible! Blessings on you and your family :0)
Will the sauce be ok if I cook it tonight and then serve it for my Lunch club party at work tomorrow? Or do I have to wake up early and cook it same day for best results? Cheers!
Yes! It will last for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Hi I tried making it and it was good. Though the butter keeps floating to the top no matter how much I mix it?
You don’t want to over mix it or have it get too hot or it will be separated in the pan. Hope that helps explain it for you. This is our very favorite Alfredo sauce!
Canned sauce will never be worth the convenience after you taste this! Best sauce I have ever tried. I used good quality Parmesan too which I feel made it even better. I used Bella Rosa. Delish!
It was amazing and super easy! I used low fat cream cheese, and fresh parmesan…so rich and creamy!!! I probably don’t want to know, but do you have the nutritional value for this sauce?
I’d like to know this too! I may just figure it out myself if I do I’ll post it.
My family loves it. It was full of flavor and easy to make. It will be used as one of my crowd pleaser meals.
That is great to hear! I am so happy that they enjoyed it! Thank you so much for sharing!
Can se make big batches and freeze them??
This sauce does not freeze well. It is best fresh and lasts in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days.
Haven’t tried it yet.can I replace cream cheese w feta and be as smooth?
It will definitely have another taste to it. If you are a feta fan than it may be okay for you but it may acquire a taste outside of my original homemade Alfreda sauce.
I have half and half on hand all the time… Could I replace the whipping cream with this?
You can but it will change and alter the taste and texture of the Alfredo sauce. For best results I recommend using the ingredients listed.
I used the half and half but used 3/4 of a pint and it was absolutely delicious!!! Great recipe !!! I tried it again and added mushrooms on penne noodles. I was told that my pasta is better than the great Italian restaurants we have here. Thanks once again !!
I am on a low sodium diet. I was wondering if you had recipes for people with this type of medical condition.
Great flavor just to greasy for me so I use less butter.
It helps to heat your heavy cream in the microwave for 90 seconds- if you combine ingredients at similar temperatures they will combine rather than separate from the butter
Made this for a youth activity, and it was a huge hit! Delicious & easy. I love this recipe.
That is great to hear! I am so glad that they all enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing!
Made this sauce and put it on half a spaghetti squash with marinaded chicken breast, my husband said it was better than any regular fettuccine Alfredo!
Just made this and ohmygosh, it’s SO GOOD! Whole family of seven loved it. Our it over noodles for the kids and roasted broccoli for my husband and it was delicious! The cream cheese is key!
YAY! I am glad that it was so good. Thank you for sharing!
Dont usually comment on these things, but this recipe is a huge win! Work at a nursing, quadrupled the recipe for 28 people. It is amazing! A+
Did you double or triple the recipe for your family of 7?
I usually have to double it since I have 2 growing boys and my hubby. My girls and I are normal and eat a smaller portion. lol. I also like to have a little left over for the next day to add something to lunches. Hope that helps! For 7 you could feed enough with out doubling it. I just like to be safe and my family lathers the sauce on.
Sounds delish. Can I use this sauce in a chicken spaghetti casserole and freeze? The recipe calls for jarred Alfredo but I rather use fresh if I can freeze.
Yes, you can use it in a casserole. I would not recommend freezing the actual Alfredo though.
Such great sauce! Do you think it would freeze ok? I made too much sauce for myself to eat and I’d love to freeze it and use the rest of it later.
It does not freeze well
The best Alfredo sauce I have ever had.
I have not made this yet but need to ask…I cook lunch for our small parochial school once a week. I want to make this sauce (much cheaper and better tasting than purchased). I do need to know about how much to make. I feed about 5 adults, 10 teens and 20 children. Some things the kids clean me out and others I have leftovers to take home for my family for supper-which is a good thing. 🙂 How many recipes of the sauce would you make for this group. The are all pretty much good eaters.