Easy 15-Minute Homemade Alfredo Sauce
Make rich, creamy homemade Alfredo sauce from scratch in under 15 minutes using only a few simple ingredients. This recipe delivers classic Italian flavor for your next pasta night.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. If using garlic, add the minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese, a little at a time, until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Stir in the salt and pepper. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Toss the sauce immediately with hot, cooked pasta, such as fettuccine. Serve right away.
Notes
- For the creamiest texture, use high-quality, freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
- If the sauce thickens too much while sitting, whisk in a tablespoon of warm milk or reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- This sauce pairs well with chicken or shrimp for a complete meal. Consider this simple sauce when planning your weekly meals instead of relying on meal planning services.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup sauce
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 21
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 8
- Cholesterol: 110