Quick & Creamy Homemade Alfredo Sauce
Make a rich, silky Alfredo sauce from scratch in under 15 minutes using just a few simple ingredients. This stovetop sauce tastes better than jarred versions and is perfect for 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
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for about 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.
- Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and fully incorporated.
- Season with salt and black pepper. Continue to cook on low for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Remove from heat immediately and serve over your favorite cooked pasta or vegetables.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best melting consistency and flavor. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth sauce formation.
- If the sauce becomes too thick after sitting, whisk in a tablespoon of warm milk or pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- This recipe is a great base; add a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of white pepper for extra depth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 42
- Saturated Fat: 25
- Unsaturated Fat: 17
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 14
- Cholesterol: 140