Easy Homemade Alfredo Sauce – Smooth, creamy and the perfect texture and flavor! Simple to whip up and always a family favorite. This is the best alfredo sauce!
My family loves pasta and constantly requests pasta recipes. This homemade alfredo is one of our favorites, as well one pot caprese pasta, instant pot spaghetti and homemade bolognese.
Homemade alfredo sauce
I don’t know about you, but alfredo is my weakness. Whenever we go out for Italian, it’s usually what I always end up ordering. Especially this pregnancy. Olive garden breadsticks with a big bowl of alfredo for dipping please. Bring on all the carbs! ;) Luckily I can make the alfredo sauce easily at home whenever the craving strikes.
This homemade alfredo sauce with cream cheese is such an easy recipe to make. It comes together very quickly and is always a hit with everyone who has tried it. The cream cheese just adds a smooth richness to the homemade alfredo… you can’t taste it, promise.
I found this homemade alfredo sauce with cream cheese recipe in The Food Nanny cookbook and have been making it ever since. I have tweaked it a little over the years, but it’s always my go-to easy alfredo sauce. It is SO easy to make and so yummy!
What’s in alfredo sauce?
This homemade alfredo sauce uses the key basic ingredients such as butter, heavy cream, garlic and parmesan cheese (freshly grated is best). Plus a few seasonings to kick up the flavor. The key to making this cream cheese alfredo is to have patience when whisking…the alfredo sauce will thicken and smooth out as it cooks. Also, make sure not to use too high of heat. I find that medium-low heat if perfect. You don’t want to burn or curdle the cream.
How to make alfredo sauce
This easy alfredo sauce comes together in a matter of minutes and is so delicious! Just follow the simple steps below to get started. Scroll down for the printable homemade alfredo sauce recipe.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add the garlic and cook for one minute.
- Add the cream cheese and then whisk in the cream and garlic powder. Season with Italian seasoning if desired.
- Increase to medium low heat and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes, whisking occasionally.
- Stir in parmesan cheese and allow to melt. Taste and salt and pepper as needed. Toss with hot fettuccine and serve immediately.
What can I use instead of heavy cream for Alfredo sauce?
Instead of using heavy cream to make this homemade alfredo sauce, you could substitute half and half. For a skinny version of homemade alfredo, you could use milk and light cream cheese. Just add 1-2 teaspoons of flour to thicken.
How do you make Alfredo sauce thicker?
One of the main keys to getting the perfect, thick homemade alfredo sauce is to make sure to simmer (this requires some patience!) and whisk often. The alfredo will thicken as it cooks. You also want to make sure you use the correct amounts of cheese and cream (or substitute of choice). If using milk instead of cream, add a couple of teaspoons of flour to help thicken it up.
Favorite ways to use easy alfredo sauce
Pasta: To make the classic homemade alfredo, serve mixed with fettuccine. Feel free to use noodle of choice.
Pizza: Try making an alfredo pizza. Use in place of pizza sauce and top with mozzarella and chicken. I like to make my own homemade pizza dough too.
Dipping: I love to dip breadsticks or french bread in the homemade alfredo sauce. It’s such a great combo and is seriously addicting!
Casserole: This easy alfredo sauce makes such a delicious base for a casserole. We like bake a chicken alfredo casserole in the oven or sometimes make a penne or bowtie pasta bake with homemade alfredo, chicken and broccoli.
Easy Homemade Alfredo Sauce with Cream Cheese
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 3 ounces cream cheese
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream (1 pint, could use half and half)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 pound fettuccine
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add the garlic and cook for one minute.
- Add in the cream cheese. Next whisk in the cream and garlic powder. Season with Italian seasoning if desired.
- Increase the heat to medium low heat and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes, whisking occasionally.
- Stir in parmesan cheese and allow to melt. Taste and salt and pepper as needed. Toss with hot fettuccine and serve immediately.
We made this tonight. Delicious!
would it come out ok if i made this not using the cream cheese ?? or substituting something else for the cream cheese ? what can i use ??
Hi Cathy! I think it would change the texture of the sauce without the cream cheese unfortunately!
I came upon this when I was looking for a recipe that didnt require what goes into my alfredo sauce…..sour cream…. I happened to have the cream cheese and I must say, now this is my new GO TO Alfredo sauce, the flavor was perfect and the texture with the cream cheese was amazing!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this alfredo sauce! Thanks so much for your comment and review. :)
Cream cheese makes everything better doesn’t it?? Alfredo sauce is one of my faves! Trying this one soon!
This is a great idea for dinner! I want to thank you for this great recipe! Looks very tasty. I definitely want to try it.
I like this sauce! I want to try it immediately. I really like this recipe. It really impresses! An interesting mix of ingredients.
Pretty much will eat anything with cream cheese in it. Love this.
I really like this sauce!! This looks fantastic!!
Looks delicious and so easy to make! !
Do you think it would work to make this a day or 2 in advance, then to reheat it?
Definitely! :)
This is a keeper!!! Loved this dish. I added chicken and broccoli. It was delish. Thanks Jamielyn!