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Easy Alfredo Sauce has just 5 simple ingredients and comes together with very little work. Skip the store bought alfredo sauce and make this instead for a meal everyone will love.
Today I am going to show you just how easy this homemade Alfredo sauce recipe is. You are going to be shocked how quick and easy it is.
If you love our Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe or our Homemade White Pasta Sauce, then you are going to love this easy alfredo sauce. Check out More Homemade Sauces Recipes or these Sauces for Chicken.
What's in this post: Easy Alfredo Sauce
What is Alfredo Sauce?
Unlike traditional pasta sauce, Alfredo sauce is not made with any tomatoes. This is a creamy white sauce that is made with a combination of parmesan cheese, butter and cream.
It’s best served over your fettuccine noodles or Homemade Pasta and goes great with chicken, fish or these Olive Garden Toasted Ravioli Recipe. It’s often used in Italian recipes and to dip your favorite Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe.
I love alfredo sauce and it’s easier to make at home than you think to make a delicious Fettuccine Alfredo.
Ingredients
- Butter – We used unsalted butter
- Minced Garlic – Learn How to Mince Garlic Cloves
Scroll to see the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.
Variation Ideas
- For the Half and Half – You can also use heavy whipping cream or milk in this recipe instead of half and half. If you use milk, the sauce may not be as creamy but will still taste great.
- For the Parmesan Cheese – You can use grated Romano cheese or Asiago Cheese in this recipe instead of parmesan cheese to change up the flavor.
- For the Minced Garlic – You can use garlic salt or a small amount of garlic powder instead of the fresh garlic if you prefer.
- Add in Cream Cheese – For more of a cheesy sauce, stir in 4-8 ounces of cream cheese until melted and well combined.
- Seasoning – Feel free to add in Italian Seasoning or onion powder for a delicious option and flavor.
- Veggies – Vegetables can be added into the sauce to serve over your grilled chicken or ground beef pasta dishes. We love slice mushrooms, chopped onions, or bell peppers.
How to Make Alfredo Sauce from Scratch?
Step 1 – In a medium saucepan, over medium-low heat, melt the butter on the stovetop.
Step 2 – Add the half and half or heavy cream to the melted butter while whisking.
Step 3 – Add in the garlic, cook for 3 minutes whisking constantly. Do not let it come to a boil.
Step 4 – Remove the sauce from the heat and add in the cheese, ½ cups at a time, whisking thoroughly until it is completely melted in the sauce. Continue doing this until all the cheese has been added in the sauce.
Step 5 – Add in the nutmeg, salt and black pepper and stir.
Step 6 – Pour over your favorite type of pasta, toss and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Adding in Half and Half – Gradually add in the half and half so that it gets combined well with the melted butter.
- Whisk Ingredients – Use a whisk instead of a spatula or spoon when mixing for desired consistency to make the roux. This will make sure that the sauce is creamy and smooth. Make sure to check out all our favorite kitchen tools.
- Heating Sauce – Make sure to not over heat this sauce as it will cause the sauce to curdle. I always remove the pan from the heat before stirring in the parmesan cheese to prevent it from burning or overheating.
- Parmesan Cheese – Make sure to use freshly grated parmesan cheese instead of the pre-shredded option. The pre-shredded ones are coated with starch that cause it not to melt smoothly.
How to Thicken the Sauce
If your sauce is not as thick as you prefer, here are a few options to thicken your sauce.
- Simmer the sauce over low heat for 3-4 minutes and this will thicken sauce. Make sure to watch the sauce closely so that the sauce does not burn. Also, whisk the sauce constantly while reheating so that it doesn’t burn.
- You can also stir in some cornstarch, arrowroot or flour to thicken the sauce. Stir 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, arrowroot or flour with approximately ¼ cup cold water. Then stir this mixture into the Alfredo sauce and heat for a few minutes to thicken the sauce.
- Also, add a small amount of cream cheese to the sauce will help thicken it as well. Diced up the cream cheese and whisk it into the sauce until it’s fully melted.
- You can also add in more parmesan cheese. Heat until it’s melted and then thickness that you prefer.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this easy Alfredo sauce on your favorite pasta dish with one of our favorite easy side dish recipes to make it a full meal. Here are a few of our favorite easy vegetables recipe that will help you complete your meal.
- How to Steam Broccoli in the Microwave
- Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Recipe
- Easy Parmesan Roasted Zucchini Recipe
- Roasted Brussel Sprouts
- Easy Caesar Salad Recipe
You may also use this alfredo sauce to Build Your Own Pizzas.
Frequently Asked Questions
To store any leftover alfredo sauce, first let it cool completely at room temperature. Then store the sauce in an airtight container or mason storage jars for up to 4-5 days in the fridge.
You can freeze the homemade alfredo sauce as well for up to 2-3 months. Place the sauce in a freezer bag, remove as much air out of the bag and freeze. The diary in this recipe will separate some when freezing but this is normal and can be recombined after it’s defrosted out.
Defrost out the sauce overnight in a refrigerator. Reheat in a sauce pan over low heat until heated through. Whisk constantly while reheating to help combine all the ingredients back together as they will separate some while freezing. Then serve over your favorite pasta for another easy recipes.
More Easy Alfredo Recipes
Easy Side Dishes
White Pasta Sauce Recipe
Easy Slow Cooker
Easy Crockpot Chicken Alfredo Recipe
Easy Seafood
Shrimp Alfredo Recipe
We love to hear from you. If you make this Easy Alfredo Sauce Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Easy Alfredo Sauce
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup half and half
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese
- pinch freshly grated nutmeg
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Add the half and half to the melted butter while whisking.
- Add in thh garlic and simmer for 3 minutes. Do not let it come to a boil. I stirred it almost constantly.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and add in the cheese, a handful at a time, whisking thoroughly until it is completely melted in the sauce. Continue doing this until all the cheese has been added in the sauce.
- Add in the nutmeg and stir.
- Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper if needed.
Love this alfredo sauce- super easy to make, and great over cauliflower and broccoli as an alternative to pasta if you want. I’ve never seen fresh nutmeg in the store, so I use regular dry nutmeg.
Hi, without sounding stupid but in the recipe you have 1 cup of half and half what is this
Half and Half is a diary product generally in the diary aisle. If you cannot find it in your area, you can use heavy whipping cream instead. Thank you.
I have never seen nutmeg to grate, just jarred. Would that be ok to use?7
Yes, you can use jarred.