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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. 5 stars
    Hands..Down!!! This is the “BEST HOMEMADE ALFREDO SAUCE” you can Make!?
    I made Fettuccine w/ Chicken,Broccoli & Portabella Mushrooms…for My Sunday Dinner..TODAY?
    Served with 5 cheese Garlic Toast and Cuke/Roma Tomato Salad?

  2. 5 stars
    Finally!! Someone finally got it right! That cream cheese makes all the difference. I have tried sooo many Alfredo recipes but now I finally have one worth keeping! Thank you!!

  3. 5 stars
    Absolutely excellent! I have an intolerance to garlic so didn’t add the garlic. Even so, the sauce is amazing!

  4. 5 stars
    Absolutely love this sauce. I dont buy that nasty Jared stuff anymore. I add chicken,bacon, and broccoli. And i think it freezes well. I thaw it and cook up some penne pasta mix it together put in a casserole pan and top with italian blend cheese and bake it until warmed threw and chesse os bubbly

  5. 5 stars
    This is my go to Alfredo Sauce. Not only do I use it for pasta, but its the “sauce” on my white pizza with artichokes, mushrooms, garlic and ricotta.

  6. 5 stars
    Made this for dinner tonight. It was delicious! I had to improvise with the heavy cream as I only had 1 cup. I didn’t want to use regular milk since I read other reviews that said using milk makes it thin. I always keep a can of evaporated milk in my pantry and used that instead. I also used more garlic and fresh ground pepper. I’ll be using this all the time now!

  7. 5 stars
    Made for me and my daughter tonight. So good!! I’ve tried other recipes. They are mostly bland and tasteless. This one is awesome. My daughter asked if I could make it every night lol. 5/5

  8. 5 stars
    I really love this sauce! After making it once I can promise we won’t buy jar Alfredo ever again! This is too easy. I always pan sauté chicken, cubes, and steamed broccoli to the finished product. I cooked the chicken first and did the sauce over it, o.m.g. Like I said, I love this Sauce!

  9. **Hugs**

    This recipe is awesome. I haven’t even made my pasta yet & I had to leave this comment. You are saving me hundreds of dollars normally spent on ordering Alfredo from my favorite place. Next time I will have to double it. This is my first time visiting your site, I will definitely be trying more recipes. Good food is so much more than food, and I really needed this right now. Thanks new friend. Best of health.

    Love, Celeste <3

  10. Made for supper tonight. I didn’t have shredded parmesan so I use 6 blend Italian shredder cheese and 3/4 cup of grated parmesan and whipping cream.
    I did add extra garlic. I did fresh steam broccoli to add into each bowl and also shrimp and fresh red pepper on the side and artichoke hearts. It was delicious.
    It will be my go to alfredo sauce going forward

  11. 5 stars
    This is by far one of my favorite recipes I’ve found off the internet. Comes out amazing every time. Thank you

  12. 5 stars
    This is the best Alfredo sauce ever! I put mine over bow tie pasta with shrimp and a little bit of broccoli forest and baby carrots. OMG!! I added a bit of extra garlic (because we love garlic) and a pinch of tyme! Thanks for the recipe..it’s the only one I’ll use from now on!!!

  13. 5 stars
    Was a great recipe for my chixken alfredo. My son is a panera snob and wont eat jar alfredo and he loved this! Made exactly as written.

    1. Unfortunately no, this sauce does not freeze well at all. It is best to serve it within 2 to 3 days.