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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.
About how many ounces of sauce does this recipe make?
It makes about 16 ounces. A jar full.
Perfection! (minus the cream cheese)
Awesome recipe! I’ve tried others but I like this one most. I was kind of scared of all the heavy whipping cream because I doubled the recipe and i ended up leaving 1/3 of it and it still turned out great! The only problem was cooking it to long caused it to begin to seperate. Next time I will be more careful.
I want to try this recipe but I would need to double it. When you doubled the recipe, did you double everything except the cream?
Love this sauce, I made it a few times and it’s always a favorite.
Recently I saved the sauce in the fridge for the first time (I usually use it all right away, never any leftovers), and it turned into a hardened paste in the fridge. I wasn’t sure if this is normal or if I did something wrong?
Hi Victoria,
Homemade Alfredo sauce does not last long in the refrigerator. When warming up, gently warm it up over the stovetop, continually stirring/whisking it together on a low temperature.
I absolutely love this Alfredo sauce, it truly is the best and I get excited every time I need to make it
I made this last night, I left out the Italian seasoning and added some onion powder and had sautéed shrimp with it, it was very good, Will definitely make it again
We love this recipe at home and typically add broccoli! I never seem to make enough lol
I just got a Ninja Foodi for Christmas, do you know if this can be modified for a ninja foodi/instant pot and how? It would make this recipe even better if I could make it in one pot! Figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask! Thank you for this amazing dish!
That is awesome you received a Ninja Foodi for Christmas. I have heard great things about it. For this recipe it is best not made in an instant pot. It is best to make it over the stove top.
Thank you 🙂 I attempted it that night I posted and it was no where near the original lol lots of ingredient separation. Stove top it is! This recipe is so yummy! Thank you again!
This was so good and so easy. I didn’t have whipping cream so I used 18% cream. Also didn’t use the Italian seasoning as not everyone in this house likes those flavours. It was still excellent and will become a staple going forward.
So, I made this sauce to go with bow tie pasta and chicken carbonara. I did cut down on the Italian seasoning, as a little goes a long way. The guys said it was the best sauce they’ve ever had! I must say – it was good! One asked where I got the recipe – I said off the internet.. my little secret!
This is the only Alfredo recipe that I ever tried and never had a need to look for another! I’ve been making it for years and my family loves it! We will be having it tonight and I can’t wait!!
Absolutely love this recipe. I send it out to everyone and tell them they’ll never buy jar Alfredo sauce again just like me haha. Thanks for sharing!
I have made this several times and each time it has been a hit! I’ve added broccoli and cauliflower to mine and even added some “chicken of the woods” mushrooms to it and it all added to the flavor! I’ve even shared the recipe with friends and they all say the same thing! BEST ALFREDO EVER!!! Thank you for sharing and letting the rest of us enjoy this delicious meal!!!
If I make a chicken Alfredo pasta bake with 12 oz of penne noodles, will there be enough sauce or would you recommend doubling the recipe?
It’s my favorite Alfredo recipe, hands down!!! I’ve tried many and I’ll never try another. Thank you!!!
This was the most amazing sauce ever! I’ve made enough in my life time and this is my favorite one to make my family! This beats any restaurants recipe I’ve ever had!
I wish I could make this in big batches and can it – but it’s good to make in small batches too.
Add some broccoli and toss it over your favorite pasta along with some garlic bread… perfect meal
Awesome Recipe! The whole family gobbled up their dinner! This was my first attempt at Alfredo sauce and it didn’t disappoint! Thank you!