Alfredo Sauce is a fast and easy creamy sauce made with a simple combination of heavy whipping cream, Parmesan cheese, butter, flour and garlic. 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.
The best sauce for any of your favorite pasta, Chicken Alfredo, Shrimp Alfredo, poured over broccoli, to dip breadsticks, 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!
ALFREDO SAUCE INGREDIENTS
Heavy whipping cream – for the rich and creamy Alfredo, it’s best to use heavy whipping cream.
Butter – use unsalted butter and add salt to the sauce according to your preference.
Sour cream – the small amount will add some flavor balance to the cream with it’s tartness.
Flour – just a little bit to thicken the sauce.
Garlic – there is just one clove but it will give a very pleasant flavor to the sauce without overpowering it.
Parmesan cheese – a combination of fresh grated and pre-grated is perfect for the flavors and the texture because fresh grated Parmesan cheese melts better but pre-grated Parmesan that you can buy does not.
Use salt and pepper to taste.
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.
STORING INSTRUCTIONS
Store Alfredo sauce in a glass jar with a lid in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
REHEATING INSTRUCTIONS
I don’t really 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.
CLASSIC ITALIAN SAUCE RECIPES TO TRY
Bolognese Sauce – meat based Italian sauce made with vegetables, wine, milk, and a combination beef and pork.
Spaghetti Sauce – Spaghetti sauce, also known as marinara sauce, is a perfect tomato sauce for many classic Italian dinners.
Vodka Sauce – Vodka sauce is a smooth, creamy tomato sauce that is cooked with a hefty addition of vodka to enhance the flavors and aroma.
Pomodoro Sauce – light and fresh tomato-based sauce made with only 5 main ingredients and a couple simple seasonings.
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).Â
- 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 April 6, 2021.
Marisa says
Yum! Looks great and I absolutely love how you have staged your pictures! Gorgeous.
lyuba says
Awww, thank you, Marisa!
Marisa Franca says
I love Alfredo sauce and so do my kids–hubby prefers tomato based sauces – heh! heh! heh! Kids and I have a feast. I will definitely make your recipe. Every recipe I have made of yours has been perfection. Thank you I have zipped it into the recipe box.
lyuba says
I hope you do, Marisa! Thank you so much 🙂
Kelly says
My hubby’s favorite is alfredo sauce and yours looks so awesome Lyuba! Love the pictures!
lyuba says
Thank you, Kelly!!
Stephanie says
I can’t wait to try your Alfredo recipe, this looks delicious! I saw this on the link up.
lyuba says
I hope you get a chance to try is soon! Thank you, Stephanie!
Gina says
Oh how I love alfredo!! I make mine a little different but I’m always looking for the latest & greatest ways to make it better. I will be putting this into the meal plan here soon. I can’t wait to try it. Thank you my friend!!
lyuba says
I hope you give it a try, Gina! Although I know that yours is killer too 🙂
Thank you!
Rachel Drake says
Oops – I believe you mean a CLOVE of garlic (not a glove). LOL!!! Will have to try this – never used sour cream in my alfredo!!
lyuba says
Haha, thank you, Rachel!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
Is it weird that I kind of want to lick that jar?! Looks do die for!
lyuba says
No at all!! I did 🙂
Thank you, Julie!
Teri says
I see you have it in a mason jar. Do you can yours? and if so how do you do it?
lyuba says
Oh no, Teri 🙂 Here, the mason jar is just for the photo. (I also keep it in the jar in the fridge.) Since it’s freshly made and cream based, the shelf life is not that long. I don’t think we can can it.
Heather {Woods of Bell Trees} says
Mmmm this looks great! I have been looking for a good alfredo recipe and this just might be it!
lyuba says
I hope you give it a try, Heather! Thank you!
Jenna says
I love the way you styled this decadent sauce for the photos, makes me want to run to the kitchen!!
lyuba says
Thank you, Jenna!!
Heather @ French Press says
nothing beats a classic alfredo! my favorite
lyuba says
Of course! Thank you, Heather!
Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling says
This MIGHT be the yummiest alfredo sauce ever….pinning for next time my kids want alfredo!
lyuba says
Awww, so sweet! Thank you, Cathy!
Tonia says
Thank you for this recipe!! I can’t wait to try it out. My family loves alfredo but I don’t like the jarred kind. I’ve tried other recipes but they haven’t worked for me and I just know that yours will be awesome!
lyuba says
I really hope that you will like it! Let me know 🙂
Thank you, Tonia!
Laurie says
This sounds yumtastic!
You ROCK for linking up this week to Tip Me Tuesday. {high fives}
Just a heads up, Tip Junkie can help you index your blog more effectively if you upload at least 2 images, 2 steps, and blog post URL into your Tip Junkie craft room!
Simply login and click “add a project” on your profile page to get started. {yep I’ve got your back!}
~ Laurie {a.k.a. the Tip Junkie}
lyuba says
Thank you, Laurie 🙂
Gayane says
I really liked this recipe. For sure I’m gonna try it because my family loves pasta/spaghetti, specially with Alfredo souce. Thank you for shering it.
lyuba says
Thank you, Gayane! I hope you all like it 🙂
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 🙂