This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy.
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.
Pin this now to find it later
Pin It
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.
Hands down the best Alfredo sauce recipe I have tried so far. Lathered it on loaded french fries Italian style and ran out twice in half an hour.
I’ve made this about a dozen times, perfect Alfredo sauce. Another recipe by Alyssa is a rolled up chicken/bacon with Lasagna pasta and this Alfredo sauce that is the best tasting chicken recipe we’ve ever had. You go girl!
We love love love this Alfredo recipe and I honestly have to double the recipe for us , but my question is when I sometimes have enough sauce for the next day , how can I thin it out some it thickened up overnight…please help ? thank you Janice
Made this sauce tonight and it tasted great, but was a bit thin and runny. I used all the ingredients the recipe called for, including heavy cream.
Stirring a little longer will help thicken the sauce as well as bringing it the boil then simmering.
This is absolutely rich, decadent and delicious! I always thought Alfredo was hard to make so I never tried it, such an easy recipe!! Thanks so much for sharing this. I am making it for my son’s birthday dinner tonight:)
This alfredo sauce I made was so creamy and so good.I enjoy it alot especially with fettuccine and garlic knots.
Yes! It really is the best Alfredo sauce! Very easy to make.. YUMMY!
Will this work without cream cheese?
Unfortunately, no. It is best to follow this recipe exactly for best results. Trust me, it will be worth it!
This was sooo good…and quick! I used fresh herbs out of the garden and added steamed broccoli and diced rotisserie chicken. This will be a new staple for dinner.
Delicious and was a hit. Its a keeper
Alfredo Sauce is the most creamy and delicious homemade alfredo sauce
Alyssa- this recipe is AMAZING! I have been using it for years. Tonight I substituted gargonzola instead of Parmesan and I added Franks sauce to taste . I was going for Buffalo Alfredo sauce with sautéed Buffalo shrimp. As usual it was DELICIOUS .
It is the best ever! My family all loved this!!
Absolutely the best Alfredo sauce ever! I’ve made this multiple times and it always gets compliments and there are never any leftovers!!
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful recipe!!
I made this sauce, my first time making Alfredo sauce, it was absolutely delicious. I could eat it by the spoonful. Will make again.
This has become my favorite Alfredo sauce
I do use whipping cream
I do use a fresh block of Parmesan cheese that I shred myself
I do use butter
I add thyme and oregano
I use 1 Tablespoon of Better than Bullion garlic broth in my sauce
I do serve separately over each plate as it make so much, I can keep the remainder in the refrigerator and enjoy for lunch over a couple of days.
This reheat slowly and nicely
I do stream asparagus or broccoli to add to the linguine
I also add a couple whole artichokes to my plate
I’ve use cooked chicken or shrimp on each dish also.
Just sharing how I love this sauce