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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 Iโ€™ve found yet. Iโ€™ve trialed with several and this one beats them all. EXCELLENT recipe!! My husband cannot stop talking about how much โ€˜betterโ€™ my alfredo is this time!

-Ali

Why You Need to Make This Alfredo Sauce Today!

  • Itโ€™s so good, I eat it with a spoon! I โ€œtestโ€ it so many times while cooking that Iโ€™m usually full before dinner even starts. Itโ€™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 wonโ€™t believe how simple and fast this is! It tastes fancy, but itโ€™s so easy. One pan, a few ingredients, and 20 minutes later, youโ€™re a dinner hero.

Ingredients Needed

Overhead shot of labeled ingredients.
  • Different Cheese:ย To switch up the flavor, use half Romano cheese orย Asiagoย 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!ย 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 wonโ€™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 756 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 ยฝ cup unsalted butter, 2 cups heavy whipping cream, and 4 ounces cream cheese to a medium saucepan and whisk over medium heat until melted. ย 
  • Add ยฝ teaspoon minced garlic, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ยผ teaspoon salt, and ยผ 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




1,708 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Without a doubt, this is THE BEST…. alfredo sauce!
    Better than restaurants or any take out!
    It has become our ‘ go – to ‘
    sauce for a quick meal mid week – and even at the weekends!

  2. 5 stars
    THIS!!! This is my hands down FAVORITE Alfredo sauce!!! We love to swap the Italian seasoning for Tony Chachereโ€™s!

    1. I donโ€™t recommend freezing it. It has a lot of dairy in it, which is susceptible to curdling and separating once frozen and thawed!

  3. 5 stars
    WOW! I have tried a lot of alfredo recipes over the years and this is by far hands down the BEST! Thank you! Getting ready to serve this up to my family tonight!

  4. 5 stars
    Thanks for sharing! Made this for dinner, my kids and husband enjoyed it! Definitely, going to make it again!

  5. 5 stars
    Was delicious! Tripled the recipe for a party and it was a hit. I did add half a teaspoon of red pepper flakes for a twing of spice! Definitely saving for later.

  6. 5 stars
    Delicious! Correct me if I’m wrong, but if going by weight I think we’re talking about 3 oz. of parmesan cheese.

  7. This was a hit for sure. Some recipes have failed me but this one was amazing. I would recommend doubling it for extra sauce.

    1. Yes you can! The texture might change a little once it’s reheated but it should still be good.

  8. 5 stars
    Made this sauce this evening for dinner with fettucine and chicken. It was simple and delish! I did add a little white wine for added taste. So Good. I have leftover in the fridge. Planning on using it on my personal alfredo pizza next.