This is the BEST and easiest Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe made from scratch! The rich and creamy sauce uses simple ingredients and is completely ready in 10 minutes!

This sauce can be featured in many dishes, but our favorite has to be for instant pot alfredo pasta. Pair with freshly baked homemade breadsticks and you have got ourself a perfect dinner.

Homemade Alfredo sauce in a bowl topped with fresh grated Parmesan.

HOMEMADE ALFREDO SAUCE RECIPE-

What is Alfredo Sauce? Alfredo sauce is a classic Italian sauce that is sometimes called white sauce. It uses butter, parmesan cheese, and heavy whipping cream and is seasoned to taste.

The rich and creamy sauce goes great with pasta like Fettucine and protein like our pan-seared chicken or even air-fryer shrimp.

This homemade Alfredo version beats Olive Garden’s and the store-bought Ragu sauce any day and is so easy and quick to make! It’s no wonder why this recipes was featured on our 2023 best recipes roundup.

A white skillet topped with black pepper and bread.

INGREDIENTS-

Alfredo sauce is so simple and uses just a few ingredients, ones you most likely already in your fridge – winner.

  • Heavy Cream– Heavy whipping cream for a richer flavor.
  • Milk– Helps balance the richness and thickness of the sauce.
  • Butter– Unsalted butter adds a depth of flavor to the sauce.
  • Garlic– Enhances the bland taste; don’t skip the fresh garlic. You can use salted butter, but then use less salt for seasoning.
  • Flour– Acts as a thickening agent.
  • Parmesan cheese– You can use store-bought grated cheese or grate fresh cheese with excellent results.
  • Salt and pepper– Season the sauce to taste.

Pro Tip: The consistency of this Alfredo sauce is thick. Use 2 teaspoons of flour instead of 1 tablespoon for a thinner sauce!

Alfredo sauce made from scratch in a bowl topped with Parmesan cheese and pepper.

HOW TO MAKE homemade ALFREDO SAUCE-

Making homemade Alfredo sauce from scratch is quick and easy; let’s start.

  1. In a large skillet or medium saucepan, over low/medium heat, add the butter and minced garlic. Cook until the garlic becomes fragrant.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy whipping cream and flour.
  3. Stir in the milk and heavy whipping cream/flour into the butter and garlic.
  4. Add the parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Cook the sauce, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens.

SERVE WITH-

Whenever you think of Alfredo sauce, the first thing that comes to mind is pasta and you are right. However, don’t limit the creamy sauce just to the pasta, enjoy Alfredo in so many variations:

storage & reheating:

We often like to make two to three portions of the Alfredo Sauce and use it in different variations and here are ways to store the white sauce once it’s made.

  • Fridge- The sauce will stay fresh in a jar sealed for 4-5 days in the refrigerator.
  • Reheat– Reheat over low heat until hot. You may need to add more milk if the sauce is too thick.
  • Freezing– We don’t recommend freezing the Alfredo Sauce.
Chicken Alfredo Pasta tossed in the homemade Alfredo sauce recipe.

recipe faqs-

How to make a healthy Alfredo sauce?

For a healthier option, leave out the heavy whipping cream and substitute for milk instead.

What can I use instead of heavy whipping cream?

You can substitute the cream with half and half for a lighter sauce.

How to keep sauce from burning?

You want to make sure to keep the sauce cooking over low/medium heat. If you cook it over high heat, the sauce will separate and you can scorch the bottom.

Why did my sauce separate?

The heat was too high and it scorched the milk causing it to separate. You want to keep it at med/low heat.

Italian Alfredo sauce in a skillet topped with Parmesan cheese and bread slices.

Once you try this homemade version of the Classic Alfredo Sauce, it will be on repeat in your home!

Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe

Author: Valentina
Print
4.92 from 50 votes
A classic recipe for Italian Alfredo Sauce that is so much better than store-bought or a restaurant like Olive Garden. Rich and creamy sauce with butter, garlic, parmesan cheese with heavy whipping cream.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup whole milk (or 2%)
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • In a skillet, over low/med heat, melt together butter and garlic and cook until fragrant.
  • Whisk together the heavy whipping cream and flour. Pour cream/flour and milk pour into the skillet, whisk vigourously. Add the parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper (to taste).
  • Continue cooking until sauce thickens and is well incorporated.

Notes

NOTE: The consistency on this Alfredo sauce is just right, not too thick or runny. However, if you want a thick sauce, don’t add any milk just use all heavy cream instead.

Nutrition

402kcal Calories6g Carbs11g Protein38g Fat23g Saturated Fat127mg Cholesterol337mg Sodium158mg Potassium3g Sugar1398IU Vitamin A1mg Vitamin C322mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 402 Calories from Fat 342
% Daily Value*
Fat 38g58%
Saturated Fat 23g144%
Cholesterol 127mg42%
Sodium 337mg15%
Potassium 158mg5%
Carbohydrates 6g2%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 11g22%
Vitamin A 1398IU28%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 322mg32%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)