on Sep 30, 2014, Updated Jan 16, 2023 85 Comments Looking for more quick and easy sauce recipes? I think you’ll love my homemade spaghetti sauce, homemade BBQ sauce, and my easy enchilada sauce.
What is Alfredo Sauce?
Traditional Alfredo is a simple, rich, creamy Italian pasta sauce typically made from butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. It is traditionally served over fettuccini but can be served with other kinds of pasta and baked chicken, boiled shrimp, steak, or roasted vegetables. Some recipes may thicken it with flour, making it similar to a white sauce, but my recipe does not use flour. This makes my recipe gluten-free when made following the recipe with no substitutions. This recipe thickens beautifully as written, due to the creamy dairy and cheeses and the low, slow cooking.
How to Make Easy Homemade Alfredo Sauce
To make my homemade Alfredo sauce, you’ll need just a handful of simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Butter and Olive Oil – This combination gives the dish an amazing taste and flavor! Cream Cheese – Make sure you use full-fat cream cheese, not reduced or fat-free, for a rich, creamy, delicious sauce. Whipping Cream – I use heavy whipping cream as it makes a thicker and creamier Alfredo sauce. You can also use heavy cream or half and half, but the sauce will be a bit thinner. Stone House Seasoning – My favorite house seasoning is made of salt, pepper, and garlic. It adds so much flavor to the sauce and seasons it perfectly. For this alfredo sauce recipe, you can use 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic or 2 cloves minced garlic. Parmesan Cheese – Parmesan is such an important part of this dish. I recommend grating your parmesan cheese right from the block so it is creamy, smooth, and not grainy. Do not use shaker-style Parmesan cheese. Mozzarella Cheese – Use full-fat cheese, not reduced or fat-free, for the creamiest, best Alfredo.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Add butter and olive oil to a medium saucepan or skillet set over medium heat and let the butter melt. Add the cream cheese, whipping cream, and Stone House Seasoning. Bring to a simmer (do not boil) and stir or frequently whisk over low heat until the sauce coats the back of a spoon, about 6 minutes. Stir or whisk constantly and add the Parmesan and Mozzarella cheeses, incorporating well after each addition. Cook until the sauce is creamy, thick, and smooth, about 3 more minutes.
Tips for the BEST Sauce
This is the best Alfredo I’ve tasted…even better than the version I adored from my favorite Italian restaurant. Here are a few tips that help make it delicious and a simple, much-loved recipe!
Fresh is best. Use fresh Parmesan cheese for the best results. It makes the sauce rich, thick, and creamy. Grate it yourself or find authentic, freshly grated Parmesan. Powdered, shaker-style cheeses are not recommended as it doesn’t give desired results. Low and slow for the best results. Add the ingredients slowly and whisk into the sauce until the cheeses melt and there is a thick, smooth, creamy consistency. Do not boil. Whisking and cooking slowly over low heat helps it to be smooth and avoids separating.
What to Serve with Alfredo Sauce
My family loves this rich and delicious Alfredo sauce over fettuccini or your favorite cooked pasta. Add a salad or vegetables for a complete meal.
Optional Toppings
Roasted Vegetables for a vegetarian Alfredo Baked Chicken Shredded rotisserie chicken Grilled Chicken Mushrooms Steak Seared Scallops Shrimp Garlic Shrimp
How to Store Alfredo Sauce
If you have any of this rich, creamy sauce left over after a meal, here’s how to store it properly. Refrigerate – Add any leftover sauce to an airtight container or jar with an airtight lid and place in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. Make sure to refrigerate any remaining sauce within the first 4 hours. Not for Freezing – Unfortunately, due to the fresh heavy cream and dairy content of this sauce, it does not freeze well and tends to separate if frozen. Reheat – This does better when reheated slowly on low heat on the stove. It doesn’t do as well when reheated in the microwave as it tends to become more oily and separates. Remember to reheat slowly and stir often to maintain the creamy consistency after reheating.
Other Favorite Pasta Recipes to Try
Pasta recipes are some of our favorites and I have several delicious recipes here on the site I hope you try! Skillet Lasagna Instant Pot Spaghetti Pasta Fagioli One Pot Penne Stuffed Shells Here’s my Alfredo Sauce Recipe. I think you are going to love it! Enjoy!Robyn xo
