This rich, ultra-creamy home made alfredo recipe is the *best* sauce you’ll ever make. This recipe is ready in 10 minutes and only requires 6 ingredients. You will make it again and again.

Why I Love This Sauce

When I was a child, my favorite restaurant dish was Chicken Alfredo. We rarely went out to eat when Jorge and I were first married. I decided to figure out how to make an alfredo that was thick, creamy, and rich. After much trial and error I finally got it right. It’s my favorite meal too. Here are some reasons why I’m sure you will enjoy it:

  • So creamy: Made with rich butter and heavy cream and nutty parmesan, this Alfredo is a rich, creamy sauce that coats each strand of pasta.
  • Quick & Easy: This creamy sauce may seem difficult to prepare, but with a whisk and skillet it takes only 10 minutes!
  • A crowd favorite: To call this simple alfredo a crowd pleaser is an understatement. This sauce is surprisingly simple, but transforms any meal into a gourmet one.
  • Budget-Friendly: This sauce can be made at home for less money and with fewer ingredients than the store-bought version!

Try my irresistibly tasty “Oh, My!” steak sauce. Must-try sauces include my homemade mustard, and my creamy cucumber Tzatziki Sauce.

Key Ingredients

Six simple ingredients are all you need. You will find below helpful notes on key ingredients. Scroll down the recipe card to see the full list of ingredients and their exact amounts .

  • Heavier Cream: The creamiest sauce is made with heavy cream. You can also use half-and-half or a 50/50 combination of heavy cream with whole milk to make a lighter sauce. Evaporated Milk is also great, and creamier than whole.
  • Garlic: I use fresh cloves of garlic and not garlic in a jar to get the best flavor. My family loves garlic, so I double it. In a pinch, you can use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
  • Parmesan cheese: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese and not the type in the shaker. Read why in the Tips section below. Try a different hard cheese, such as Asiago or Romano.
  • Seasoning: Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If you wish, you can add a little Italian seasoning.

How to make Alfredo sauce from scratch

It’s easy to make this Alfredo sauce in a few steps. Keep the heat low to medium. Too much heat will burn the garlic and butter, making the cheese clump.

  • Simmer: Melt the butter in a medium pan, add the cream, and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, whisking frequently. Cook for a further minute after adding the minced garlic.
  • Thicken: Slowly add the parmesan, while whisking continuously, until it melts and the sauce becomes smooth. If the sauce is too thick, you can add some pasta water or cream to make it thinner.
  • Serve: Season to taste with salt and pepper. You can use this sauce to top or dip your favorite pasta or as a dip. Making homemade alfredo sauce is so easy!

Chef’s tips and variations

  • Use freshly grated Parmesan: The most important tip to remember is using freshly grated Parmesan. You can either grate your own or buy the pre-grated kind in the refrigerator section. Use the red shaker instead, as it contains anti-caking agents that can cause your sauce to thicken or seize.
  • Do double the recipe: This sauce is enough to coat 8 ounces cooked fettuccine. If you want to make 16 ounces of pasta (1 pound, or a standard-sized box), double the recipe!
  • Extra thick: To make a thick sauce, stir 1 tablespoon of flour into the butter and cook for 30 seconds. Add the cream, and continue the recipe.
  • Lemon Cream sauce: For a lemon Alfredo, add lemon juice to the cream. Add half a lemon’s juice for a subtle lemon flavor. Add the juice of a whole lime to make a lemony Alfredo.
  • Cream Cheese: The Alfredo sauce is made with cream cheese. This substitution is common in American kitchens. This gives your Alfredo sauce a tangy taste.
  • Nutmeg: A little freshly grated nutmeg will add warmth to your dish! Grab your Microplane Grate, and a Whole Nutmeg, and grate about 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of nutmeg into the finished sauce, according to taste.

Alfredo Sauce: How to Serve it

  • Pasta: Just pick your favorite pasta: fettuccine, penne, ziti, spaghetti, etc. This sauce is also delicious over stuffed ravioli. Don’t forget to serve some homemade Breadsticks with it!
  • Italian meatballs .
  • Chicken: Drizzle over chicken breasts or use in this Cajun Alfredo, or this chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake.
  • Alfredo Sauce: A white pizza with chicken, bacon or mushrooms is perfect.
  • Use Alfredo as a dip: Any vegetable tastes great dipped in Alfredo. This parmesan-roasted broccoli has become a favorite.