Alfredo sauce, known for its creamy, rich texture, is a staple in Italian cuisine. Made with butter, heavy cream, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and simple seasonings, it enhances a wide range of dishes. Ideal not only for classic Fettuccine Alfredo, it also complements chicken, shrimp, and roasted vegetables beautifully.
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This homemade version is easy and quick to prepare, making it a fantastic addition to any meal. Its creamy consistency is perfect with various pastas, essential for pasta lovers. Like our beloved Parmesan dishes such as Chicken Parmesan and Eggplant Parmesan, it provides a comforting and satisfying meal.
Perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or a cozy meal on a chilly day, this sauce brings a touch of Italian flavor to your table. Let's get started on this delightful Alfredo sauce.
Discover More Delicious Pasta Dishes:
- Fettuccine Alfredo
- Chicken Alfredo
- Shrimp Alfredo
- White Sauce Pasta
- Garlic Parmesan Pasta
- Salmon Pasta
- Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
- Pasta Salad
Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
To make this delicious Alfredo Sauce, you'll need a handful of basic Italian ingredients, easily found in most supermarkets. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Butter: Unsalted butter is best for creating a rich, buttery foundation. If necessary, you can swap it with olive oil for a lighter, yet still delicious, flavor.
- Heavy Cream: This is essential for achieving a thick, creamy texture. If you don’t have heavy cream, half and half, whole milk, or non-fat milk can be used instead. These alternatives are less rich, so you might want to add a tablespoon of cream cheese or a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce.
- Garlic: Key for that signature garlicky kick, especially when sautéed in butter.
- Parmesan Cheese: Vital for that true Italian Alfredo taste.
- Seasoning: Dried Italian herbs and black pepper are my staples. If you’re out of dried Italian seasoning, you can use fresh basil, parsley, or coriander leaves for a fresh twist.
How to Make Alfredo Sauce at Home?
Let’s turn these ingredients into a creamy Alfredo Sauce with my simple recipe. I've included photos and a video along with the instructions to make this as easy as possible for you. Let’s get started!
Discover a Variety of Pasta Sauce Recipes:
- Bechamel Sauce
- Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- Marinara Sauce
- Basil Pesto Sauce
- Bechamel Sauce
- Garlic Butter Sauce
- Pasta Sauce
Homemade Alfredo Sauce
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Butter
- 2 tsp Garlic , finely chopped
- 2 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- ½ tsp Salt, to taste
- ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder
- ½ tsp Italian Seasoning, mixed
- 1½ cups Parmesan Cheese
- Parsley Leaves, to garnish
Instructions
Making Alfredo Sauce
- Heat a pan over medium heat. Add the butter and allow it to melt completely. Once melted, sauté the garlic until it’s fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Pour in the heavy whipping cream and stir well. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir frequently to ensure the cream doesn’t stick and burn at the bottom of the pan.
- Sprinkle in a pinch of salt, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Stir everything together to distribute the flavors evenly throughout the sauce.
- Next, add the Parmesan cheese gradually while stirring, allowing it to melt fully into the cream, creating a smooth texture.
- Continue stirring and cooking until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. For a thicker sauce, maintain low heat and allow it to simmer a few minutes longer. Once the sauce is ready, remove the pan from the heat. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley leaves for a burst of color and flavor before serving.
Using
- Use this Homemade Alfredo Sauce to make classic Fettuccine Alfredo, or drizzle its rich, creamy flavor over pasta, baked chicken, and roasted asparagus. It also makes a fantastic, unique topping for pizza pinwheels.
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Recipe Video
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
Looking for more? Explore our wide range of Italian recipes for more variety, including diverse pasta dishes, an array of pasta sauces, and unique condiments. Each recipe is sure to deliver an authentic taste of Italian cuisine.
How to Use this Alfredo Sauce?
Drizzle this Homemade Alfredo Sauce over your preferred pasta, especially delicious with Fettuccine Alfredo. It's also perfect with chicken, shrimp, salmon, or roasted veggies like asparagus, green beans, and broccoli. For a twist, try it on your pizza or pizza pinwheels as a creamy alternative to traditional pizza sauce.
Storage Suggestions
If you're preparing this sauce ahead of time or have leftovers, here's how to store it for the best results:
- Refrigeration: Keep Alfredo Sauce in the refrigerator for up to three days to preserve freshness. To ensure the sauce retains its creamy texture and prevent skin formation, directly press a piece of plastic wrap onto the sauce’s surface.
- Reheating: For best results, gently warm the sauce on a stovetop over low to medium heat, or in the microwave at the lowest setting. Stir occasionally to maintain a smooth consistency.
- Thickening Adjustments: If the sauce thins out after reheating, thicken it by stirring in a small amount of cream cheese for added richness or by preparing a cornstarch slurry (mix one teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water and stir into the heating sauce).
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