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!

-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.

Pin this now to find it later

Pin It

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.

More Ideas

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




1,714 Comments

  1. really yummy, and definitely beats making alfredo with a roux base. I used half n half instead of heavy cream and used less of it to up the cheese to liquid ratio. Also skipped the italian seasoning and used parsley in it’s place, added a little paprika and freshly grated parmesan and romano. I’m not a fan of italian food, but I am a fan of all cheese and this hit the spot. Thanks!

  2. 5 stars
    This is AMAZING! THX FOR POSTING ?
    I didn’t use cream cheese, but added more whipping cream. ..then once that bubbled a few minutes and started to thicken, I added more cheese (stirred constantly). I gotta say, this came out just as good as Red Robin’s when they still had it on their menu. 2 thumbs up…

  3. Made this for the first time tonight- delicious! Thank you for sharing it ?. Perfect for a cold, snowy New England evening.

  4. 5 stars
    OMG… You have given me the absolute BEST recipe for Alfredo sauce. My kids now beg me to make this at least once a week. I used to try other homemade Alfredo sauce recipes but NEVER EVER again!!! I’ve tried your Creamy Garlic Lemon Chicken recipe and my two daughters require it be cooked in the weekly rotation. (they are not fans of chicken so this says A LOT) Thank you so much!!!

  5. Made this last night. Delicious! We added spinach and I doubled the recipe I’ll add more garlic next time because we are garlic freaks!

  6. 5 stars
    Have you tried adding tomato sauce to make it a blush sauce? Just curious! Made the sauce and thought it could be an interesting addition.

  7. 5 stars
    Wow!!! This is the best Alfredo recipe ever!!! I just made this and it was better than anything I’ve ever had in a restaurant. Thank you so much for sharing. Keeping this one in my repertoire for sure.