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Homemade alfredo sauce recipe 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.

Noodles coated in Alfredo sauce wrapped around a fork
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Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe

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. It’s one of my favorite easy recipes. Plus, it tastes much better than anything from the grocery store.

If you love our Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe or our Homemade White Pasta Sauce, then you are going to love this easy alfredo sauce.

The Alfredo sauce being poured over fettuccine noodles

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 favorite type of noodles and goes great with chicken or fish. It’s often used in Italian recipes.

I love alfredo sauce and it’s easier to make at home than you think.

Ingredients to make homemade Alfredo sauce

What ingredients are in Alfredo sauce?

  • Unsalted Butter
  • Half and Half
  • Minced Garlic
  • Freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste

How do you make Alfredo sauce from scratch?

In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the half and half to the melted butter while whisking.

Add in the garlic, cook for 3 minutes whisking constantly. Do not let it come to a boil.

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.

Add in the nutmeg and stir.

The sauce being whisked together in a sauce pan

Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper if needed. Then toss the sauce with cooked pasta and it’s ready to enjoy! I love making fettuccine Alfredo with this easy homemade sauce recipe.

The parmesan cheese being whisked into the Alfredo sauce in a sauce pan

Tips for making the Best Alfredo Sauce:

  • Gradually add in the half and half so that it gets combined well with the melted butter.
  • Use a whisk instead of a spatula or spoon when mixing. This will make sure that the sauce is creamy and smooth.
  • 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.
  • 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.
Noodles coated in this homemade Alfredo sauce and a fork pulling some of them from the bowl

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 m ore parmesan cheese. Heat until it’s melted and then thickness that you prefer.
Noodles coated in this homemade Alfredo sauce and a fork pulling some of them from the bowl with the pan of sauce behind it

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 minced 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.
A bowl of noodles with the Alfredo sauce poured on top and then topped with fresh chopped parsley

How to Store:

To store any leftover sauce, first let it cool completely at room temperature. Then refrigerate the sauce in an air tight container for up to 4-5 days. ‘

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.

A white bowl of noodles with the Alfredo sauce poured on top and then topped with fresh chopped parsley

What to serve with Alfredo sauce?

Here are a few of our favorite recipes that would go great with this homemade Alfredo sauce.

Also, you can toss the sauce with your favorite pasta and top it with grilled chicken or homemade blackened chicken.

I love serving this Alfredo sauce with chicken or fish. I don’t think it’s best with beef or ground beef.

A bowl of fettuccine noodles topped with Alfredo sauce and fresh parsely.

Serve with a Side Dish:

Serve this easy Alfredo sauce 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.

Print the Alfredo sauce recipe below:

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Easy homemade alfredo sauce

5 from 11 votes
Easy Homemade Alfredo sauce recipe – Just 5 Ingredients for an easy Alfredo Sauce Recipe. This homemade Alfredo sauce recipe tastes amazing too!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 6
Cuisine Italiain
Course Sauces
Calories 284

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.

Recipe Notes

This homemade Alfredo sauce recipe tastes amazing! With just 5 Ingredients it makes for the easiest Alfredo Sauce Recipe. 

Nutrition Facts

Calories 284kcal, Carbohydrates 3g, Protein 13g, Fat 24g, Saturated Fat 15g, Cholesterol 67mg, Sodium 552mg, Potassium 83mg, Vitamin A 755IU, Vitamin C 0.7mg, Calcium 442mg, Iron 0.3mg

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Homemade Alfredo sauce recipe has just 5 easy ingredients and comes together with very little work. Skip the store bought sauce and make this simple homemade Alfredo sauce.  You’ll be surprised how easy this Alfredo sauce is to make from scratch.  #eatingonadime #saucerecipes #alfredorecipes #italianrecipes

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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Comments

  1. Hi, without sounding stupid but in the recipe you have 1 cup of half and half what is this

  2. 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.

  3. 5 stars
    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.