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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.
Alyssa, I made it! Wow! It was beyond delicious! Thank you for posting the recipe. My fussy daughter started naming dates and events of when I must make this sauce (I made it with fettuccine & chicken) again and again! I couldn’t believe it. My husband was so impressed he wants me to do a video about it – we have a channel- Happy Healthy People.net., because this recipe is so clean and wholesome. Again, thank you!
Hi , how much pasta should you use for the amount of alfredo sauce in this recipe ? Thankyou
I usually make a box of pasta but you are welcome to do what is best for your family.
The most amazing alfredo sauce! I only use this alfredo sauce I don’t buy it anymore from the store. My family loves it also!
Hi Alyssa I am making this for a b day party, can I make the sauce in the morning and serve it later that day? Or just mix it with the pasta and serve it later?
It is best not to mix it with the pasta until ready to eat. You can make it up to 2 days ahead of time. When reheating, reheat very slowly so it does not separate.
Absolutely delicious, thank you so much, I will be making again, especially since this is the best one I’ve ever had. The store bought Alfredo sauces don’t compare!! Never buying from pre-made sauces from the stores again! I’ve had trouble with making Alfredo sauce before because I didn’t have right the ingredients but once I got the right ones and I tried this recipe it was worth it and easy! Would recommend to anyone to try!
Absolutely fab!! I roasted garlic and smoshed in 4 cloves. Stunning!! Its so easy too. I will puree roasted red peppers and onions and try it with this too. Can’t wait to eat!!
Looove your recipe!! It’s my go-to. Thank you for sharing!!!
Made it last night, and my mom and sister liked it!
Is there a different cheese I can use that’s not parmesan? I’m not a fan of parmesan or anything similar but want to make a homemade Alfredo.
You can probably use aged asiago, romano or any other hard cheese
I can vouched for the aged asiago. I ran out if parmesan. I used what U had on hand. It turned out great. Leave out the salt until you taste.
I hate jarred alfredo. In fact very few I actually like. This was Amazing! I loved it. It was quick and easy. It’s the 2nd time I have made an Alfredo sauce for my family. The 1stone was dressing up jarred. I could not eat at all, my 15 yr old son loved it though. The 2nd attempt was this one. This will be hands down a family favorite, and added into dinner rotation. Thank you so much!
I am so over the moon happy with this recipe! Thank you so much for sharing. This is the creamiest Alfredo sauce with so much flavor. I made this for some friends and everyone loved it. They wanted the recipe. Thanks again!!
Just made this for dinner tonight and it is hands down the best tasting alfredo sauce! Love it!
I made this today but substituted Boursin garlic cream cheese, so incredibly delish and so very easy, THANK YOU
Did you still add the minced garlic when using this cream cheese substitute?!
Oh My Gosh, this tastes so good! I’m a beginner cook and made this with no problem. I would recommend this without a question!
Is the recipe 1 pint and 2 cups of heavy cream? So a total of 6 cups?
It is one pint or 2 cups of heavy cream.
My favorite recipe! I like to turn mine into a Cajun pasta!! Thank You so much!!!
I love this recipe and use it all the time!!! I also want to give kudos to Alyssa for providing alternatives to thicken the sauce b/c I ran out of cream and wondered if I could use milk as a sub.
I left a review yesterday, the sauce is great! My son came home from work and wanted some but found that even low and slow didn’t work. It didn’t get creamy and it was all butter on the bottom of pan. If anyone has suggestions, I will take them. I made a lot and would hate to discard as I made it with shrimp.