Alfredo Sauce with Cream Cheese

This alfredo sauce with cream cheese is smooth, creamy and has the perfect texture and flavor! Simple to whip up at home and always a family favorite. 

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Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe

This homemade alfredo sauce with cream cheese is so creamy and one of my all-time favorite pasta sauces. Give me a big bowl of fettuccine alfredo with a warm breadstick and a chopped salad and I am in literal heaven!

Alfredo is my weakness! Whenever we go out for Italian, it’s always what I end up ordering. Luckily, I can make the best alfredo sauce recipe easily at home whenever the craving strikes. It’s a crowd-pleaser and the cream cheese adds a smooth richness to the sauce.

Ingredients

• Butter: I used salted, but feel free to use unsalted and adjust the salt added as necessary.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves minced plus garlic powder is the perfect combo! You can also use the garlic from the jar. If you need it more subtle, though, use one or the other.
• Cream: Heavy cream or half and half. Heavy whipping cream will give you the best creamy, rich results for this indulgent dish. Whole milk can be used, but your sauce won’t thicken as well.
• Cream cheese: A must for this cream cheese Alfredo sauce.
• Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan from a block will not only taste better but will melt better too. Pre-shredded could cause your sauce to be grainy.
• Seasonings: A trio of seasonings including salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. It really adds to the flavor!

How to Make Alfredo Sauce with Cream Cheese

While the fettuccine boils in a pot of salted water, melt butter in a large skillet over low heat, add garlic then cream cheese. Whisk in the heavy cream and garlic powder. Add Italian seasoning if desired.

Increase heat to medium heat. Bring sauce to a simmer, then let simmer for 5 minutes (whisking occasionally) until reaches desired consistency. Add in Parmesan cheese and stir.

Once Parmesan melted, toss with hot fettuccine noodles and serve! Garnish with freshly chopped parsley.

Serving Suggestions

• Use the sauce to make chicken fettuccine Alfredo or casseroles like chicken alfredo bake and chicken alfredo lasagna
• As a dipping sauce for Olive Garden breadsticks or garlic bread
• Drizzled over proteins like oven baked chicken, shrimp or meatballs.
• Spread it on pizza like a white sauce.
• Serve it with pasta and steamed vegetables, roasted broccoli or a salad

Tips for the Perfect Cream Cheese Alfredo Sauce

• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese tastes best. Trust me, it does make a difference!
• While the sauce simmers, make sure to whisk often. This will help create a creamy sauce.
• Make sure not to use too high of heat. I find that medium-low is perfect. You don’t want to burn or curdle the cream.
• Feel free to add in cooked chicken to make chicken alfredo. You can also add cooked broccoli or peas.
• Top with more fresh Parmesan and parsley before serving.
• You could easily make this sauce a couple of days in advance, then reheat it over low heat when ready to serve. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge.