This Alfredo Sauce Recipe is a creamy and easy way to enrich every pasta dish!
There are many wonderful pasta sauces in this world, and Alfredo sauce is one of the creamiest, richest, and easiest to make! Before I started getting into cooking as much as I am now, the idea of making my own sauces from scratch was borderline terrifying. I had an assumption that sauces would take too much time, too much effort, too much skill, and too many ingredients to get right. I thought it was better to just buy a jar or a can from the store and call it a day instead of taking a risk and possibly getting it wrong.
Thankfully, I’ve learned a lot since then! Specifically, I’ve learned not to be afraid of making sauces from scratch. They aren’t hard to make, and they add so much more to a meal than store-bought jars of sauce. If you haven’t also learned this valuable lesson, then I recommend this Alfredo as your gateway sauce!
Obviously, food tastes amazing with this cheesy, velvety smooth sauce, but it also does wonders for the texture of dishes. Just think of what it can do to an ordinary piece of chicken breast! This Alfredo is perfectly creamy and takes about 15 minutes to put together, making it an ideal sauce for your weeknight dishes.
Perfect Parmesan
Parmesan cheese is the star player when it comes to Alfredo. This hard Italian cheese is made from cow’s milk and aged for a minimum of 12 months. It has a characteristically rich and savory flavor with fruity notes. Since it plays such a big role in this sauce, you’ll want to make sure the quality is good. I recommend buying a wedge and grating it yourself. Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly into the sauce, ensuring perfectly velvety results and maximum flavor. Pre-grated Parmesan, on the other hand, contains anti-caking agents that will make the results grainy and therefore inferior. The taste will also not be as fresh and pronounced.
How do I store leftovers?
You can store your Alfredo sauce in a glass jar (like a mason jar) or airtight container in the fridge. It will keep well there for about 4 days. You can also freeze your Alfredo sauce in a freezer-safe container for about 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight. Reheat the sauce gently on the stovetop while stirring.
Serving suggestions
Though our Alfredo sauce goes best on cooked pasta, you can also serve it over Juicy Baked Chicken Breast. It would make an excellent pairing with a crisp, green vegetable. Try the Best Broccoli Rabe Recipe or serve our vibrant Air-Fryer Asparagus. Complete the meal with these golden Roasted Potatoes, and you have a dinner everyone will enjoy.
Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Ingredients Â
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 3/4 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon salt plus more, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 1/4 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
InstructionsÂ
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter.
- Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
- Slowly pour in the heavy cream while whisking continuously until well combined.
- Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Add the salt and ground black pepper to the sauce. Stir well to combine.
- Gradually whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more of heavy cream to loosen it.
- Adjust salt if needed. Remove the sauce from heat. Serve immediately over cooked pasta or steamed vegetables.
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