This homemade alfredo sauce recipe is a favorite Italian classic that is so much better than anything you buy in a jar! The basic alfredo sauce is one that, once mastered, is easily combined with any number of your favorite foods to create spectacular skillet meals and loaded alfredo bakes! Of course, you can always just toss it with your favorite pasta!
Easy Alfredo Sauce Recipe
This tried and true recipe for homemade alfredo sauce is a must-have for anyone who enjoys making Italian cuisine. It is unbelievably rich and creamy, plus it is incredibly versatile!
You can use alfredo as a dipping sauce, toss it with some pasta, or add it to your favorite casseroles! After you see how easy it is to make at home, you will never go back to using store-bought sauce again!
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❓ What Is Alfredo Sauce
Alfredo sauce is a creamy Italian white sauce that is commonly served over noodles. The original Italian version consisted of butter, Parmesan, and some starchy pasta cooking water. Nowadays, it is most commonly made with a combination of butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese.
🥘 Alfredo Sauce Ingredients
You only need a handful of ingredients to pull off an incredible homemade alfredo sauce! Once your sauce is ready, give it a try and add more salt or pepper to taste if needed.
- Butter - ½ cup of butter or 1 stick.
- Garlic - 1 tablespoon of finely minced garlic, about 3 cloves.
- Heavy Cream - 2 cups of heavy cream at room temperature.
- Salt & Pepper - ¼ teaspoon of salt & pepper.
- Garlic Powder - ½ teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Parmesan Cheese - 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Romano Cheese - ¼ cup of freshly grated Romano cheese.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Make Alfredo Sauce
You won't believe how easy it is to make alfredo sauce from scratch! To get started, get out a skillet or frying pan, measuring utensils, and a silicone spatula or whisk.
This will make about 2 cups of alfredo sauce or 6 servings.
- Melt butter. In a medium skillet or frying pan, melt ½ a cup of butter while the pan heats to medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic when the butter is about halfway melted, and allow to cook while the butter continues to melt.
- Add cream and seasonings. Once the butter is completely melted, slowly whisk in 2 cups of heavy cream and seasoning (¼ teaspoon each of salt & pepper and ½ teaspoon of garlic powder). Stir to combine and bring the sauce mixture to a low boil.
- Simmer. Then once the sauce mixture has reached a low boil, reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Stir in cheese. Slowly stir in 1 cup of shredded Parmesan and ¼ cup of shredded Romano cheese, and continue to stir until the cheese is thoroughly melted and combined into a creamy, smooth alfredo sauce (about 2-3 minutes). Remove from heat and serve over your favorite pasta immediately.
Try your homemade alfredo sauce with any type of pasta and my easy air-fried garlic bread! It's also delicious on homemade pizza. Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- If time allows, letting your cream come up to room temperature for 30 minutes before making your sauce will help it blend more easily and reduce your cooking time.
- Alfredo sauce pairs best with shrimp, chicken, or fish, though you can certainly try it with other proteins!
- Dairy is a key ingredient for making a creamy and authentic alfredo sauce. If you are dairy free, rather than making substitutions here I would recommend you follow a specific recipe for dairy-free alfredo.
🥡 Storing & Reheating
Let your homemade alfredo sauce cool, then transfer it to an airtight container. Keep it refrigerated for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months, just be sure to thaw it in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating Alfredo Sauce
Reheat your alfredo sauce on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. It does not need to be reheated if used in casseroles or pasta bakes that will go in the oven.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
Alfredo sauce and white sauce, aka Bechamel sauce, are not the same thing. Alfredo sauce is an Italian sauce that has some similar ingredients but includes cheese. White sauce is French and it is made with a roux of butter and flour mixed with cream.
You can! You can make your alfredo sauce then store it in a mason jar or another airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Use your alfredo sauce over pasta, in casseroles, or in any recipe you'd like!
You can freeze alfredo sauce. Be sure to place it in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag with the air squeezed out. For the best flavor, use it within 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
🍝 Other Amazing Pasta Recipes
- Cream Cheese Pasta - A simple recipe for creamy noodles that works well as a base for proteins or vegetables!
- Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta - This quick and easy garlic shrimp pasta will be one of your go-to dinner recipes!
- Spaghetti Bolognese - Spaghetti noodles in a homemade Italian meat sauce!
- Creamy Beef and Shells - Ground beef and pasta in a creamy tomato-based sauce your family will love!
- Grilled Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo - This recipe is a perfect way to use your homemade alfredo sauce!
- Tuna Salad With Pasta - Bowtie noodles, tuna, celery, peas, red onion, and Greek yogurt makes for one delicious lunch or dinner!
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📖 Recipe Card
Homemade Alfredo Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- 1 Tbsp garlic (finely minced)
- 2 cup heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon each, salt & pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup Romano cheese
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- In a medium skillet or frying pan, melt your butter while the pan heats to a medium heat. Add the garlic when the butter is about halfway melted, and allow to cook while the butter continues to melt.
- Once the butter is completely melted, add the heavy cream and seasoning (salt, pepper, garlic powder). Stir to combine and bring the sauce mixture to a low boil.
- Then once the sauce mixture has reached a low boil, reduce the heat and allow to simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Slowly stir in the Parmesan and Romano cheeses, and continue to stir until the cheese is thoroughly melted and combined into a creamy, smooth alfredo sauce (about 2-3 minutes). Remove from heat and serve over your favorite pasta immediately.
Notes
- If time allows, letting your cream come up to room temperature for 30 minutes before making your sauce will help it blend more easily and reduce your cooking time.
- Alfredo sauce pairs best with shrimp, chicken, or fish, though you can certainly try it with other proteins!
- Dairy is a key ingredient for making a creamy and authentic alfredo sauce. If you are dairy free, rather than making substitutions here I would recommend you follow a specific recipe for dairy-free alfredo.
Roseline Naud says
Le fromage râpé a laissé des grumeaux. C’était bon mais moins joli. Que puis-faire?
"The grated cheese left lumps. It was good but less pretty. What can I do?"
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Utilisez une râpe à fromage fine pour que les fromages Parmesan et Romano fondent facilement. Cela devrait rendre les choses beaucoup plus faciles. Merci d'avoir posé la question!
"Use a fine cheese grater so that the Parmesan and Romano cheeses melt easily. That should make it alot easier. Thanks for asking!"
Emma Cabrera says
Gracias, son muy buenas sus recetas. Gracias por su dedicacion.
Tiene recetas para niños?
"Thank you, your recipes are very good. Thanks for your dedication.
Do you have recipes for children?"
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
No tengo recetas dedicadas a los niños, aunque hay muchas en el sitio que también serían muy fáciles de hacer para los niños.
"I don't have recipes that are dedicated to children, even though there are many on the site that would be very easy for kids to make too."