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This creamy Homemade Alfredo Sauce is the dreamiest sauce that makes this Alfredo Pasta the best on the planet! Make a weeknight super special!
It’s rich and creamy and full of flavor, due to the garlic, the cream… the butter and the cheese! Taste heaven. HEAVEN.
You guys. This is the best from scratch homemade alfredo sauce recipe you’ve been looking for. It’s SO darn good – and gets absolute rave reviews from everyone who tries it. It’s a smooth, creamy sauce full of flavor!
This is a tried and true recipe that will take less time than a tip to the store.
I don’t love buying store-bought alfredo sauce in a jar. For some reason, jarred sauce just doesn’t taste even close to good. Thankfully, you can make this sauce right on the stovetop, in very little time. This recipe is not like a bechamel (using butter, flour and milk). It’s a lot richer, due to the cream, butter and cream cheese.
Let’s be really real for a second: this is not diet food. Unless you are doing the keto diet, and using this with zucchini noodles, of course. It’s got butter, heavy cream, parmesan and cream cheese. Which makes it delightful to eat, but not an every day food.
Both of my kids, despite being the children of a food blogger are picky eaters. They LOVE it when I make fettuccine alfredo, and gobble this up like it’s their job, which makes MY job a lot easier! You know you’re on a winner when there is absolute silence around the family dinner table, aside from forks scraping and mmmm noises.
Frequently Asked Questions
The traditional choice is Parmesan, but some recipes use a combination of Parmesan and another cheese like Pecorino Romano for a more nuanced flavor.
You can, but if you want a smooth, creamy sauce – grab a wedge and shred it yourself. Pre-grated parmesan and romano cheese has anti caking agents (so it won’t all stick together in the bag) which can make your sauce gritty.
Why this is the best homemade alfredo sauce
- Quick & Easy. Make the sauce while the pasta cooks!
- Simple ingredients. Ones you probably already have on hand!
- A great recipe to use in other recipes and pasta dishes that use Alfredo Sauce.
What to serve with Alfredo sauce
Pair this with your favorite pasta (I love delicious homemade fettuccine noodles), some peas or steamed broccoli, and make this a GREAT family meal!
Serve garlic bread, garlic knots or breadsticks on the side.
Add some protein.
Use the alfredo sauce with your favorite pizza dough, and make a killer white pizza.
Make chicken alfredo pasta with grilled chicken.
Grill up some shrimp and you’ve got Shrimp Alfredo.
Recipe Ingredients and Possible Substitutes
The full list of ingredients and quantities is found in the printable recipe card below.
- Butter. Use salted butter, although we do add salt and the parmesan is salty, I still like the added flavor. Cut it into small pieces for easy melting. If using unsalted butter, test for consistency and flavor.
- Cream. This means heavy cream (also known as heavy whipping cream). You could substitute half & half, but the sauce won’t be as thick.
- Cream cheese You can use reduced fat if you wish (but if you’re making this you probably aren’t all that concerned!) Do cut it into small pieces for easy melting.
- Garlic. Traditional alfredo recipes do not include garlic, but mine does as it is an American-style alfredo sauce! We love garlic, so if you’re a fan, add it it. Fresh garlic cloves are best. You could sub garlic powder, but it won’t have that powerful garlic punch that makes this sauce exceptional.
- Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning. there are measurements in the recipe, but feel free to ramp it up, or dial it back depending on your preferences. I use kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Add a pinch of nutmeg for added flavor.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Buy a wedge of this, and grate it yourself using a microplane or the side of a box grater.
- Pasta. I like fettuccine, but any kind will do – use your favorite pasta.
- Chicken. Any cooked chicken will do. Grilled chicken, or baked chicken breast is perfect!
How to make Alfredo Sauce at home
Scroll for Recipe
The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Get prepped
Begin by cooking your pasta in of salted, boiling water. You’ll want it al dente: which is cooked but still slightly firm to the bite. Mince the garlic and measure the seasonings.
STEP 1: Melt the butter, cream cheese and cream in a large skillet over medium heat.
STEP 2: Whisk until smooth.
STEP 3: Add the minced garlic, salt and pepper and Italian seasoning and allow to thicken at a bare simmer – just a few minutes.
STEP 4: Remove from the heat, whisk until the sauce is smooth.
Add the freshly cooked pasta to the sauce. Save and add a little pasta water for a thinner sauce if needed. Toss with tongs to combine.
STEP 5: Top with shredded parmesan cheese.
STEP 6: Toss again
STEP 7: Add the chicken and peas, if using.
STEP 9: Devour.
Kylee’s Notes
Pair this sauce with your favorite pasta. Fettucine, spaghetti or any of the short pasta types will work.
This recipe makes about 3 cups of sauce, which is enough sauce for 2lb of fresh pasta.
Grab your ingredients and measure them out before you begin. This is a fairly quick recipe, so you’ll need them at hand as you go.
Keep whisking!! You want this to be a smooth, thick sauce.
Storage
Store leftover alfredo sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Reheating Alfredo Sauce
You will want to reheat gently, on low heat to avoid the sauce separating. You can also add a splash of milk or cream to help restore its creamy texture.
Garnish ideas
A sprinkle of fresh parsley makes pretty presentation.
Do you love Pasta Recipes? Here are a few more that I love:
- Classic Weeknight Tuna Noodle Casserole – you could actually use this easy Alfredo Sauce recipe in place of the canned soup in this recipe!
- Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Pasta – another family pleaser, this one has amazing flavor and zero complaints
- One Pan Ham & Cheese Pasta – make this all in one skillet, in under 30 minutes. Score!
- One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta – a delicious winner from The Chunky Chef
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Homemade Alfredo Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter (1 stick)
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 4 oz cream cheese (1/2 block)
- 1 Tablespoon garlic (minced finely)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cracked pepper
- 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup parmesan cheese (freshly grated/shredded)
Optional
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
- 1 cup peas
Directions
Make the sauce
- Melt the butter, cream cheese and cream in a saucepan, whisking until smooth.
- Add the garlic, salt, pepper and italian seasoning and allow to thicken, stirring constantly – just a few minutes.
- Remove from the heat, and stir in the shredded parmesan cheese.
- Add the sauce to freshly cooked pasta of your choice
Optional
- Add shredded chicken and peas.
Serve
- Top with more shredded parmesan cheese.
Video
Notes
Notes:
- Gather your ingredients, and measure them out before you cook. This is a fairly quick recipe, so you’ll need them at hand as you go.
- Keep whisking!! You want this to be a smooth, thick sauce.
- Make this with any kind of pasta – fettuccine works exceptionally well, but penne, rotini and bowties have all gotten rave reviews here.
- Use the best quality ingredients you can afford!
Nutrition Facts
Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Ilene says
Absolutely delicious & so easy to make!!
Love & Thank you
Delores Andreae says
I love this recipe I made it for dinner party and did 40 servings and it was awesome I got so many compliments out of this recipe if you wanna try chicken Alfredo try this recipe it is amazing
Elena says
What an amazing recipe!! Fallowed exactly the steps and dinner was delicious. Thank you