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Home » Dinner

Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe

Last updated on February 2, 2022Originally published January 18, 20221 CommentSabine

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This rich and creamy Alfredo sauce is perfect for any kind of pasta such as fettuccine or linguine and is also great with chicken, shrimp, or pizza. You only need 6 ingredients and less than 15 minutes to make a batch of this delicious gluten-free pasta sauce (no flour!). Because this sauce is so easy to make, you will never think about using store-bought sauce again. Serve with pasta and leftover air fryer chicken!

Fettuccine pasta covered in Alfredo sauce in a large pan
Jump to:
  • Difference between Alfredo sauce and white sauce
  • Is this an Italian sauce?
  • Best parmesan
  • Can you use milk instead of cream?
  • How to thicken Alfredo sauce
  • White pepper vs. black pepper
  • How to prepare the garlic
  • How long does it last in the fridge
  • How to reheat it
  • Can you freeze it?
  • Top tips for the perfect Alfredo sauce
  • Photo tutorial
  • More comfort food to try
  • Recipe

Difference between Alfredo sauce and white sauce

Alfredo sauce is a parmesan sauce, usually made with cream and butter, reduced over heat to create a creamy pasta sauce. White sauce is another name for béchamel sauce and is basically a roux made from butter and flour mixed with milk. White sauce is used to thicken sauces but not to serve with pasta.

Is this an Italian sauce?

Although Alfredo sauce has its roots in Italy, the American version is not served in Italy. The original Italian sauce is served as pasta al burro and is basically linguine or fettuccine tossed with butter and parmigiano cheese. So, if you are on vacation in Rome, you may find the original Italian version on the menu but not this American cream-based version.

Tip: If you love Italian sauces, try my Italian pizza sauce!

Best parmesan

I recommend using freshly, finely grated parmesan instead of pre-grated parmesan. Freshly grated parmesan simply tastes better, melts better, and makes a smooth and creamy sauce. Pre-grated parmesan cheese can result in a grainy texture because the cheese is drier and often has additional ingredients to prevent clumping. I usually use parmigiano reggiano parmesan cheese for this pasta sauce, but I also like to use other hard Italian cheeses like grana padano or pecorino romano.

Tip on measuring cheese: If you don't have a kitchen scale to measure the cheese, fill the cup with the grated parmesan without packing it.

Grated parmesan cheese in a measuring cup on a plate and a grater

Can you use milk instead of cream?

I prefer this sauce with heavy cream, but it also works with milk. You don't need any additional ingredients to substitute the heavy cream. Just replace the heavy cream 1:1 with milk. Let the milk simmer a few minutes longer to reduce it a bit. There's really no need to use flour or cornstarch. The reduction plus the cheese is enough to thicken the sauce.

How to thicken Alfredo sauce

Reducing the sauce over heat, removing it from the heat, and adding the cheese gradually is all it takes to create a dreamy creamy pasta sauce. Not having to make a roux with flour makes this recipe so easy and simply the best.

Stirring pasta sauce in a large skillet with a spatula

White pepper vs. black pepper

My favorite is finely ground white pepper as it is spicier and has an earthy and complex flavor and fits the rich and heavy cream sauce just perfectly. However, black pepper works just as well. Feel free to use whatever pepper you prefer, whether black, white, fine, or coarse.

How to prepare the garlic

The easiest way to peel the garlic is to gently crack it so that the peel loosens from the clove. To do this, I place the blade of my large kitchen knife on the garlic and press on it with my hand until I hear a crack. You can either finely chop, grate or press the garlic. Use the method that is most convenient for you.

Cracking garlic clove with a large kitchen knife
Peeled clove of garlic with the peel next to it

How long does it last in the fridge

You can safely store it in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Trust your senses. Look, smell, and taste. In doubt, discard it.

How to reheat it

You will notice that the sauce thickens a lot as it cools. To make it creamy again, it's best to warm it up slowly over low heat with a splash of milk. Cook until hot and creamy, gradually adding more milk until you reach the desired consistency.

Can you freeze it?

Unlike other cream-based pasta sauces, this parmesan sauce freezes well. After cooking, let it cool completely and then refrigerate for 1 hour. Give it a good stir and place in freezer bags, squeeze out all the air and freeze for up to 2 months. To thaw, place in the refrigerator overnight. Then reheat.

Top tips for the perfect Alfredo sauce

  • Cook it low and slow. Don't crank up the heat, otherwise it can burn quickly or thicken too much.
  • Remove the pan from the heat before adding the parmesan cheese. Then gradually add the parmesan cheese, making sure it melts completely and doesn't clump.
  • If you notice that some of the parmesan cheese isn't melting, return the pan to low heat for 1 minute to melt the cheese.
  • The sauce thickens as it cools. If the sauce is thinner as desired, after cooling for 2-3 minutes, return to low heat and cook 1-2 minutes longer.

Photo tutorial

Melt the butter in a large skillet over low heat. Add the garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Cooking garlic in butter

Stir in the whipping cream, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook on low for 3-4 minutes.

Cream sauce cooking in a large skillet

Remove the pan from the heat, gradually add the cheese, and stir until the parmesan is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.

Stirring parmesan cheese into cooked cream sauce

Add parsley if desired. Serve with pasta and enjoy!

Cooked Alfredo sauce in a skillet with fresh pepper and parsley on top

More comfort food to try

If you love comforting home cooking, you've come to the right place. The following recipes are some of my favorite comfort food recipes and are loved by family, friends, and readers worldwide.

  • Fried Calamari
  • Gourmet Grilled Cheese
  • Pretzel Bacon Burger
  • Warm Lobster Rolls
  • Cheeseburger
  • Garlic Pizza

Recipe

Fettuccine pasta covered in Alfredo sauce in a large pan

Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe

5 from 4 votes
Author Sabine Venier
Calories: 464kcal
Servings: 4 servings
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 5 minutes
Total 15 minutes
Print Pin Rate
This rich and creamy sauce is perfect for any kind of pasta such as fettuccine or linguine, and is also great with chicken, shrimp, or pizza. You only need 6 ingredients and less than 15 minutes to make a batch of this delicious gluten-free pasta sauce (no flour!).

Ingredients
 
 

  • 6 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 ½ tablespoon garlic, (minced, grated, or pressed)
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon white pepper
  • 2 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Melt the butter in a large skillet over low heat.
  • Add the garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes.
  • Stir in the heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook on low for 3-4 minutes.
  • Remove the pan from the heat, gradually add the cheese, and stir until the parmesan is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
  • Serve with pasta and enjoy!

Video

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Nutrition

Calories: 464kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 11gFat: 46gSaturated Fat: 29gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 149mgSodium: 698mgPotassium: 81mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1616IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 321mgIron: 1mg
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword alfredo pasta, alfredo recipe, alfredo sauce from scratch, homemade alfredo sauce
Did you make this recipe?Leave a feedback and rate this recipe!
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About Sabine

Sabine is a professional baker, cookbook author, and award-winning food photographer.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kt

    November 18, 2022 at 6:52 pm

    Amazing and so fast and easy! Family loved it!

    Reply

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Hi, my name is Sabine Venier! I’m a cookbook author and food blogger. Here on Also The Crumbs Please you will find my collection of treasured family recipes.

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