Homemade Alfredo Sauce recipe that is a fast and easy cream sauce. This recipe for Homemade Alfredo Sauce is my family’s absolute favorite. Alfredo Sauce is a classic creamy pasta sauce that only takes about 15 minutes to make and features lots of Parmesan cheese. It can be served with pasta, chicken, shrimp, broccoli, and many other dishes.
HOMEMADE ALFREDO SAUCE
This is my family’s absolute favorite sauce to have with pasta, chicken, shrimp, and vegetables. (I’ve even make some Alfredo for a quick lunch to dip some bread stick into.) Like many other classic sauces, you can use Alfredo sauce with so many different dishes so the whole jar of sauce can last through several different dinners.
After many disappointing tastings of jarred sauces, I had to come up with my own recipe that my family will actually enjoy. My Alfredo Sauce has taken me years to perfect. I’ve tried a few different variation and this one is the best by far. I like using fresh grated Parmesan cheese and dry Parmesan. The combination of the two makes perfect texture and flavor.
Among all the classic sauces, Alfredo is my favorite one because it’s so creamy, cheesy, and comforting. It’s perfect with chicken, seafood, vegetable or to dip some bread sticks in it. Yes, this sauce can even be served as an appetizer or a dip!
HOW TO MAKE IT
This sauce is a very easy sauce to make and will only take about 15 minutes and you can make it while pasta and meats are cooking. It’s always best to prepare and measure your ingredients ahead of time, especially in a fast recipe like this one.
Use a medium sauce pot to prepare the Alfredo Sauce. Melt butter over medium heat and once butter is melted, add pressed garlic. Cook garlic until it’s fragrant and sprinkle flour over it. Stir and then slowly pour in heavy whipping cream.
Gently stir the mixture together and let it heat through. (Don’t let it boil!) Once heavy cream is hot, whisk in sour cream, Parmesan cheeses, salt, and pepper. Lower heat to medium-low and gently stir until grated cheese starts to melt.
Keep cooking over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring often. Once sauce is ready mix it with cooked pasta.
IS ALFREDO SAUCE GLUTEN FREE?
This Alfredo Sauce recipe is not gluten free BUT it is easily make gluten free by using gluten free all purpose flour. There is not much flour that goes into the sauce because the sauce gets most of its thick texture from Parmesan cheese and sour cream. The combination of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and some dry Parmesan cheese thickens the sauce nicely where only a small amount of flour is needed.
HOW TO STORE THIS SAUCE
Store Alfredo sauce in a glass jar with a lid in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
Reheating Instructions
I don’t usually recommend reheating Alfredo Sauce in a microwave because it separates easily if it is overheated. The key to reheating Alfredo sauce is low and slow.
If you wish to try and reheat it in a microwave, use lower power setting and heat it up for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between.
The better way to reheat it though is in a small sauce pot, over medium-low heat. Let it warm up slowly, while stirring often.
One more way to reheat the sauce is to mix cold sauce with hot, freshly cooked pasta. As soon as you drain the boiling water off pasta, add it back to the empty pot and add cold sauce. Mix it together and let hot pasta heat up the sauce.
SOME MORE RECIPES TO TRY
Chicken Bacon Alfredo Pasta Casserole
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Classic Alfredo Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1 large clove of garlic pressed
- 1 tbsp all purpose flour (can substitute gluten free flour)
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup dry Parmesan cheese
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Melt butter in a sauce pan over medium heat.
- Add pressed garlic and saute until fragrant (just a few seconds).
- Sprinkle flour over it, start whisking, and slowly add heavy whipping cream WHILE whisking constantly. (I suggest using a silicone covered whisk so it doesn't scratch the pot). Heat through over medium heat as you slowly stir.
- Whisk in sour cream, Parmesan cheeses, salt, and pepper. Lower heat to medium-low.
- Keep cooking on medium-low heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring often. (Do not let it boil.)
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published on Will Cook For Smiles on February 3, 2014. Updated May 21, 2020.
Lisa says
does this make equivalent of a 16 oz store bought jar? I am about to attempt an applebee’s copycat recipe that calls for alfredo sauce today and am thinking to make fresh sauce…
lyuba says
I’m so sorry for a late response! Yes, that is a 16 oz mason jar above and it definitely filled it. I believe there was actually about 1/2 cup more.
Again, sorry for the late response!
Bernice Sandoval says
Hi! I’ve been searching for an Alfredo sauce recipie everywhere and I finally found one that looks and sounds delicious!! I just have one question, I’m making chicken fettuccine Alfredo tomorrow for 60 people, how much sauce should I make? You didn’t say how many sservings this quantity makes, please I need some help ASAP, thank you!!:*
lyuba says
Hi Bernice!
This makes a little more than a 16 oz jar. That is a 16 oz mason jar in a photo and there was a little leftover in a pot.
60 people, of goodness! I don’t think I’ve fed a crowd like that before. May be double the recipe, so you will have 2 to 2 1/2 jars.
Good luck!!
Thank you!
Bernice Sandoval says
Hi! I’ve been searching for an Alfredo sauce recipie everywhere and finally I found one that looks delicious!! I just have one question, I’m cooking chicken fettuccine Alfredo tomorrow for 60 peolple, how much sauce should I make? You didn’t say how many serving this quantity makes, please I need some help asap!! Thanks! :*
Bernice Sandoval says
Thank you for your prompt reply, I appreciate it! I forgot to also ask, how much chicken and pasta do you suggest I use? I’ve never fed so many people before either, I’m kind of going crazy just thinking about it! Lol
lyuba says
Hmmm,
Well if it’s chicken with pasta, pasta will be pretty filling so I would estimate a cooked and sliced chicken breast to serve 2 people (depends on your budget and how much you like them 😀 , may be even 3). Check pasta box and, in nutrition box, it should say how many servings are in the box. That could be a good way to calculate how many boxes you will need. Also, take other food in consideration. Will there be appetizers, salads, bread or desserts? If yes, there will be other food to fill them so you can even stretch that a bit more. I would also triple the sauce recipe because it’s pretty heavy and filling but relatively cheap to make, at least in comparison with chicken. Pasta and sauce will be much cheaper than chicken and more filling.
Stacey says
Made this Alfredo sauce tonight — it was delicious. So easy and restaurant quality! My family loves it!
lyuba says
Oh, hearing that makes me so happy! I’m glad you guys loved it! Thank you 🙂
Jenna says
I just loved the Alfredo sauce, as did my children. I have been on your site for hours at a time today. I have been looking for a delicious peanut butter cupcake recipe along with a peanut butter frosting, can you help me out…
Gina Gutierrez says
Obviously it has to go in the fridge, right? I would love to give this as a Christmas gift. What do you suggest? If you have any suggestions! I like making food gifts!
Deb says
I am cooking for a wedding. Having both red sauce and Alfredo. Guest list is 100 so I am trying to prepare as much as possible in advance. Can this be made 2 days in advance and warmed up or will it separate?
Thank you
lyuba says
Hi Deb!
You know, I’ve had it separate on me when I reheated it in the microwave before. You can test it out and make a small batch and then reheat it the next day in a pot. May be if it’s reheated slower, in a pot, it will hold together.
Best of luck with the catering!
Elizabeth DlPidio says
When you say fresh grated Parmesan and dry Parmesan, what do you mean by dry? Is that the powdered graded cheese you get in the canister? Or is it just grated Parmesan that you buy in the tub by the dairy aisle I understand grated Parmesan fresh off the block. Just don’t know what the dry one is. Thank you. I can’t wait to try your recipe.
Elizabeth DelPidio says
I just couldn’t wait to make this and taste it. I used all fresh grated cheese I had previously grated on a microplane. And I halved recipe only because I only needed 1 cup for the tortellini. It tastes awesome and amazing. I never knew how quick and easy it is to make this sauce. And I had all the ingredients at the ready. I won’t be using the jarred sauce anymore.
LyubaB says
Hi, Elizabeth! Yes, Parmesan is the cheese in the container, but I am glad it came out good and you liked it! 🙂
Jess says
This is my go to Alfredo sauce! Thanks for the recipe!
LyubaB says
Thanks for letting me know, I am so glad you liked it!
Kathy says
Really good. Great recipe! Made a super small change. My family likes a little heat added. crushed red pepper flake. I have never used sour cream in Alfredo Sauce. Really glad I found your recipe.
LyubaB says
Thank you, Kathy! I am so glad you like it!