Quick & Creamy 5-Ingredient Homemade Alfredo Sauce
Make rich, creamy Alfredo sauce from scratch in under 15 minutes using just five simple ingredients. This recipe delivers superior flavor compared to jarred sauces.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
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. Continue to cook on low until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Stir in the salt. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately over hot pasta.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best melting consistency and flavor. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
- If the sauce becomes too thick upon standing, whisk in a tablespoon of warm milk or reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- This sauce pairs well with fettuccine, but you can use it on chicken, broccoli, or as a base for casseroles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 38
- Saturated Fat: 23
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 10
- Cholesterol: 110