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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.
Would whipped cream cheese work just as well?
That should work fine!
I just made this, and it was wonderful! The only thing I did different was to add about one half teaspoon of onion powder, a quarter tsp of fine ground black pepper, and 6 ounces of cream cheese rather than 4. I do believe this will be my go-to recipe for Alfredo sauce!
I never order alfredo sauce when I go out anymore because this is the best sauce!! I can make it better myself!! Super easy to make and so, so delicious!!
Cream Cheese is an absolute game changer in Alfredo Sauce! I will never make it without it ever again.
I like to use add-ons when I make this. I absolutely love sun dried tomatoes in this! Or bacon, or both.
My go to! This sauce is amazing and so easy to make. I’ve tried others and I always very back. I won’t make any other sauces going forward!
Can I use extra cream cheese like 8 oz
I would suggest just using the written amounts. Adding additional cream cheese would make the sauce very thick.
Carolyn,
I have used extra cream cheese in mine. Just add some extra milk, not extra cream. The thinner milk will balance out the thickness of extra cream cheese.
Also, if you swap the grated parmesan for shredded, it will add more balance to the thickness/thinness.
This was the absolute BEST Alfredo sauce I have made! Stuck to the recipe (doubled it because I knew my family would love it!) Turned out wonderful and my daughter said it was the best sauce she has ever had! Kudos to you for an impeccable recipe! I typically don’t post comments but this was worth it!
Best Alfredo sauce recipe! And so easy to make! Thank you!
Can you sub sour cream fir cream cheese
You can! It may change the taste up a bit but it will work for the consistency.
100% HOMERUN for my super picky eater nephew. He shares my love for alfredo sauce and let me tell you, WE LOVED IT!
All he’s known is jarred alfredo sauce so this amazing recipe blew his ever loving mind lol Most definitely going to be making this again! Thank you!!!
Actually I’ve found this does freeze well! I always make a double batch n freeze. As you reheat, stir it comes back together beautifully! We love it!!
This is the same way my mother made it. I have been looking for this recipe forever. Thank you so much. Glad I can make and share with my family.
Can you can this recipe? I see you can refrigerate for 5 days just wondering if it could be canned and stored like any other Alfredo sauce homemade?
Only reason I question is the cream chees.
This recipe would need to be prepared differently in order to store it safely in a can. As is, it will only last in the fridge for about 5 days.
Hi Alyssa,
How many servings do I need to prepare for 10 people please.
Thank you !
I would probably triple the recipe!
Thank you Alyssa!
Question how much fettuccine would this sauce be good for. Would it go with 900 grams dry pasta. I have a large family so wondering if I need to double the recipe. Looking forward to trying it tomorrow.
This ends up being about 2 cups of sauce so enough to serve over about a pound of pasta
Wondering what the serving size is for the calorie count. Also is the pasta included?
The serving size is typically about 1/4 cup. This calorie count doesn’t include the pasta.