Alfredo Sauce

4.6
(4,797)

This Alfredo sauce recipe always turns out rich and creamy! A delicious way to transform plain fettuccine pasta or steamed vegetables.

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closeup of fettuccini topped with Alfredo sauce and chopped parsley on a white plate
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Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
20 mins
Servings:
4

Once you try this homemade Alfredo sauce recipe, you’ll never go back to the jarred stuff. 

How to Make Alfredo Sauce

You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let's go over the basics:

Alfredo Sauce Ingredients

You’ll need just five simple ingredients to make this basic Alfredo sauce recipe: butter, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and fresh parsley. 

How to Make Homemade Alfredo Sauce

Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make Alfredo sauce from scratch: 

  1. Melt the butter, then stir in the cream and simmer. 
  2. Whisk in the cheese and garlic until heated through and smooth. 
  3. Stir in the parsley. 

Tip from recipe creator Rebecca Swift: “I have found that Parmesan cheese doesn't always melt well, and often substitute Gruyère cheese.”

How to Thicken Alfredo Sauce

This Alfredo sauce should be thick enough as-is. However, if you’d like to thicken it up even more, add more Parmesan than the recipe calls for. Continue whisking in cheese until the sauce has reached the desired consistency.

How to Serve Alfredo Sauce

Toss the homemade Alfredo sauce with fettuccine for a classic comfort food dinner or spread it over pizza dough for a fun twist on traditional pizza. For more inspiration, explore our collection of 15 Comfort Food Dinners That Start With Creamy Alfredo Sauce. Here are a few of the recipes you’ll find: 

How to Store Alfredo Sauce

Allow the leftover Alfredo sauce to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to five days. 

Can You Freeze Alfredo Sauce?

Sure! You can freeze Alfredo sauce if you’d like to keep it for more than five days. Portion it out into freezer-safe bags or containers, then freeze for up to three months. Thaw the Alfredo sauce in the refrigerator overnight. 

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“Exactly what I was looking for,” says one Allrecipes community member. “A base recipe for me to build off of based on my own personal taste. I like topping with sun dried tomatoes and some grilled chicken breast.”

“So delicious and creamy,” according to another Allrecipes community member. “Easy to make. I added about 1/2 a cup of diced spinach in an effort to get more veggies into kids' diets. They loved it.”

“Quick and easy to make,” raves Shane. “I'll never buy jarred Alfredo again. I made this to go with Penne pasta, spinach, onions, and mushrooms — it was delicious.”

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • ¼ cup butter

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • 1 ½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1 clove garlic, crushed

  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Ingredients to make alfredo sauce.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir in cream and simmer for 5 minutes.

    heavy cream stirred into melted butter in a dark skillet

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Add cheese and garlic; whisk continuously until heated through. Stir in parsley.

    a pile of fresh parsley on top of an Alfredo sauce in a dark skillet

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Serve immediately and enjoy!

    overhead view of fettuccine noodles in a skillet being coated in Alfredo Sauce

    DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS

Cook’s Note

I have found that Parmesan cheese doesn't always melt well and often substitute it with Gruyère cheese.

Editor's Note:

Read our picks for the best garlic presses to make cooking your favorite recipes that much easier.

10,479 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

439 Calories
42g Fat
3g Carbs
13g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 439
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 42g 54%
Saturated Fat 26g 131%
Cholesterol 138mg 46%
Sodium 565mg 25%
Total Carbohydrate 3g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 13g 26%
Vitamin C 6mg 6%
Calcium 381mg 29%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 109mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.