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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.
Can this be made a day in advance or will it become Grainy and separate?
You can make this a day in advance. You will want to slowly reheat it over the stovetop, stirring occasionally.
I’ve tried several homemade alfredo sauces. They were all a disappointment. This recipe, however, was AMAZING!!!!! This is our new favorite sauce. I used to make a meal with alfredo once every 2-3 weeks, now we use this recipe at least once a week! (Even though it’s so fattening haha we can’t help it!)
Thank you so much for posting this! My whole family loves it!
That is so great to hear! Thank you for sharing!
Do I use Italian seasoning mix out of packet like you would use for making Italian dressing or regular dry Italian seasoning that you sprinkle from a bottle?
You will use the Italian seasoning that you sprinkle from a bottle.
First of all, I’m impressed that you answer the folks that comment~!! I’ve seen so many that don’t 🙁 I’m going to try this tomorrow for a “late” Easter dinner of lamb loin chops, homemade cavatelli, fresh asparagus, broccoli and sweet potatoes. I think the sauce will be great on everything… even the lamb… but I’ll be conservative and just put it on the cavatelli and maybe the green vegg
Hi Alyssa, First of all, I’m impressed that you actually respond to visitor’s comments! Sadly, not many do. I’m going to try this tomorrow and I’ll let you know how it goes 🙂 Hope you had a wonderful holiday.
Theresa
UGH! I wish I could edit that comment!~ I decided not to give so much detail and leave that for after I made it~~ !!!!
This sauce is very similar to mine. The biggest diference is that I use garlic cream cheese I get drom our local dairy. Other than that it’s a perfect match.
For a spicier twist, add two tablespoons of cajun seasoning, or more as you please.
OMG- this recipe is so delicious – restaurant quality and was the most amazing Alfredo sauce ever made. Treat your taste buds and try this recipe, not only is it awesome but so easy! You will not be disappointed. Everyone loved it!
I made this delicious ?
I added two beaten eggs to the cream before not adding to the pot
Will definitely make his again !!!
if you add bacon or pancetta and an egg you will have carbonera
Let me just say this is the MOST AMAZING Alfredo Sauce that has ever laid upon my tastebuds! WOW just WOW…. this is better that any other alfredo sacue I have ever had (I will never eat another Alfredo sauce again it has al een ruined for me form this day on.), most certainly AMAZING utterly to totally AMAZING.
That Alfredo sauce recipe is amazing! The cream cheese added a great flavor to it!
Hey! What is nutritional info? I am keto so need to keep track.
I like to use skinny taste.com or myfitnesspal.com for any nutritional information. Hope that helps you too!
I subsubstituted half the cream cheese with firm tofu because I didn’t have enough cream cheese, and used garlic powder instead of minced onions. Put in blender then heated in a pan rather than following the instructions, because my brother, who is a great cook, told me I needed to blend the tofu before cooking it.
Ended up great! A little garlicky, but that is my fault. That didn’t make it unenjoyable, though.
I’ve made this recipe a few times. It is absolutely the best! Super delicious! My son loved it. We had it for dinner two days in a row and no complaints. I will never have a store bought Alfredo sauce again. Thank you!
Absolutely love this recipe, it’s one of our all time favorites in our home!! I am having a large group coming over and want to make it but 6 times the recipe, I don’t wanna have it break up tho with all of the butter/cream/cream cheese. Any suggestions on making it??
I would just make two pots of it with it 3 times in each pot if you can. That way you can even serve it that way too at the tables. Hope that helps!
You say this makes 4 servings? How big is each serving? I’m trying to figure out how much bigger I should make this for my family
This will feed about 4 to 6 grown adults. A serving is about a cup. Hope that helps!
My son’s loves when I make chicken Alfredo and that was with the jar sause. I one day decided to make the sause homemade and found this receipt. Now when ever I ask the family what they would like for dinner he yell Chicken Alfredo and for days after will tell people how great his mom’s Alfredo is…
I don’t understand what happened but mine is all curdled 🙁
Sometimes cooking it on high heat will make that curdled. When reheating you will want to warm slowly and stirring frequently.
This is absolutely the best recipe yet. I have made it twice and & gave it to 8 people and they absolutely love it too. One shared it with another friend. This is so easy. Thank you.
I love this recipe. I have used it many many times. I double the sauce and use the sauce to cook my chicken in my instant pot. sooooo good.
Hi I was wondering if you have the calorie and serving size information
I like to use myfitnesspal.com or skinnytaste.com for any nutritional information. Hope you can find what you are looking for.
This is the best alfredo sauce i’ve ever made from scratch. The only thing I change is the amount of butter. i’ve made it with half and it still comes out amazing.
Is this sauce freezeable? What is the best type of container to freeze sauce in?
No, this sauce does not do well frozen. It will last in the refrigerator for about 2 to 3 days. Enjoy your alfredo sauce!
Made with for fettuccine noodles and topped everything with rotisserie chicken. It was so easy and was ready quickly! Love!