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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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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.

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

Ingredients to make homemade Alfredo sauce - unsalted butter, half and half, minced garlic, parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt and pepper
  • Unsalted Butter
  • Half and Half
  • Minced Garlic
  • Freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste

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 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.
  • Seasoning – Feel free to add in Italian Seasoning 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?

Melted butter in a saucepan

Step 1 – In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter. 

Stirring in half and half in the sauce pan of melted butter

Step 2 – Add the half and half to the melted butter while whisking.

Adding in minced garlic to the melted butter mixture

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

Whisk in cheese in the melted sauce

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.

Whish in nutmeg, salt, and pepper to the melted mixture

Step 5 – Add in the nutmeg, salt and pepper and stir.

Pour the sauce over fettuccini noodles

Step 6 – Pour over your favorite type of pasta 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. 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.
The parmesan cheese being whisked into the Alfredo sauce in a sauce pan

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

Serving Suggestions

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.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Store Leftovers

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. ‘

Can I Freeze Alfredo Sauce?

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.

How to Reheat

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 Alfredo Recipes

We love to hear from you. If you make this Easy Alfredo Sauce Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.

Easy homemade alfredo sauce

5 from 13 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
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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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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!

5 from 13 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Gail B. says:

    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.

  2. Carrie says:

    Yes, you can use jarred.

  3. Carrie says:

    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.

  4. Katriona Harrington says:

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

  5. Glenda says:

    I have never seen nutmeg to grate, just jarred. Would that be ok to use?7