• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Salt & Lavender logo
  • Recipes
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • About
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Pasta

    Quick and Easy Alfredo Sauce

    Published: Jul 31, 2020 / Updated: Apr 11, 2022 / 30 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe

    Even novice cooks can master this easy Alfredo sauce recipe! It uses simple ingredients and only takes 15 minutes to make in your own kitchen. It's rich, creamy, and has a not-so-secret ingredient that sets it apart from the rest.

    Love Alfredo? Try this Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo that has a kick.

    a skillet with fettuccine alfredo and serving tongs

    Why you'll love it

    My favorite part about this homemade Alfredo sauce is just how quick to prepare it is. If you're making it with fettuccine, this sauce only takes as much time to cook as it does to boil the pasta! When you want to make a decadent treat for your whole family, this is sure to hit the spot. It's a restaurant-quality dinner.

    This Alfredo sauce is the standalone version of the sauce in my Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo and Easy Shrimp Alfredo recipes. You guys love those, but I figured it was time to have Alfredo sauce in a post on its own in all its creamy glory.

    a glass jar with alfredo sauce and a spoon

    What exactly is Alfredo sauce?

    • Alfredo sauce is simply a mix of butter, cream, parmesan cheese, and sometimes garlic. My trick to making the best Alfredo sauce is adding some cream cheese!
    • It helps make it thicker and more silky. It also adds a little tanginess that stops the sauce from tasting too heavy. Purists would argue that cream cheese doesn't belong in here, but I respectfully disagree. It's glorious.

    Ingredients you'll need

    • Butter - we're using unsalted here
    • Cream cheese - our signature ingredient for that silky tang
    • Heavy cream - for even more luxuriousness
    • Garlic - you can add more garlic if you wish. This sauce is garlicky but not overpowering.
    • Parmesan - grating your own parmesan cheese is important since it's a key component. It just melts and tastes better. I always keep a block of parmesan in my fridge. It stays fresh for ages, and I use this cheese grater.
    easy Alfredo sauce with cream cheese (Fettuccine Alfredo) in a white bowl

    How to make Alfredo sauce

    This is an overview, and full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

    • Take the cream cheese out of the fridge and let it soften on the counter, and grate the parmesan cheese. Boil your pasta if using.
    • Add butter, cream cheese, heavy cream, and garlic to a skillet over medium heat. Let the butter melt, and then use a spoon to break up the cream cheese to melt and incorporate it in.
    • Let it bubble very gently until it's reduced and thickened, stirring occasionally. Melt in the parmesan for 30 seconds, and remove from the heat. Season generously with salt & pepper!

    Substitutions and variations

    • Feel free to make substitutions, but do not expect the same results as this recipe that our kitchen has tested multiple times. It's meant to be a treat meal!
    • With milk or half-and-half there's a chance the sauce will break since I don't use a roux in here. Alfredo sauce is notorious for separating, and that is one of the reasons I have selected these ingredients, to make it more user-friendly as well as delicious.
    • However, you can definitely play with the sauce a bit and add more to it. It's a great base. Some ideas include adding a bit of Cajun seasoning or red pepper flakes for some heat, small broccoli florets or some sweet corn, and leftover cooked/rotisserie chicken. 
    close-up of fettuccine noodles being tossed with Alfredo sauce (with tongs)

    How to serve Alfredo sauce

    • The obvious choice is fettuccine Alfredo, but any pasta works like linguini or spaghetti. Pair with breadsticks or garlic bread, or make a side salad for a lighter option. I suggest a Caesar salad with my 10-minute Caesar dressing.
    • We're huge fans of using Alfredo sauce on a pizza instead of a tomato-based one. It adds so much creamy richness!
    • You can even use it as a dip for bread, a sauce for salmon or chicken breasts, in a casserole or pasta bake, or over vegetables. There's really no wrong answer for how to enjoy it, and it's fun to think outside the box. Use it anywhere you'd use the jarred stuff.

    Leftovers and storage

    • The sauce will last for 3-5 days in the fridge. Store it in an airtight container like a mason jar.
    • I recommend reheating it slowly on a very low heat on the stove. Add a splash more cream to revive it. If microwaving, be sure to stir every 30 seconds or so and use low power if possible so it doesn't separate.
    • I don't recommend freezing it as it will easily break when reheating and possibly have a grainy texture after thawing.

    More creamy pasta recipes

    • Salmon Pasta with a Creamy Garlic Sauce
    • Chicken Penne Pasta
    • 15 Minute Creamy Garlic Pasta Recipe
    • Quick Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce
    • Super Easy Creamy Tomato Pasta
    close-up of the best Alfredo sauce coating fettuccine with extra parmesan

    Questions about this Alfredo sauce recipe? Did you make it? Let me know in the comments below, and tag me #saltandlavender if you're on Instagram so I can see your creations!

    a skillet with fettuccine alfredo and serving tongs

    Quick and Easy Alfredo Sauce

    Even novice cooks can master this easy Alfredo sauce recipe! It uses simple ingredients and only takes 15 minutes to make in your own kitchen. It's rich, creamy, and has a not-so-secret ingredient that sets it apart from the rest.
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian American
    Servings 6 (see note)
    Calories 526 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 12 ounces uncooked fettuccine (if making Fettuccine Alfredo), see note
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 4 ounces cream cheese (I used 1/2 block of Philly) softened
    • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
    • 2 large cloves garlic minced
    • 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Take the cream cheese out of the fridge to soften up at least 30 minutes (or longer) prior to starting the recipe, or microwave it for 20-30 seconds. Grate the parmesan.
    • If making Fettuccine Alfredo: Boil a salted pot of water for the fettuccine. Cook it al dente according to package instructions. Prep ingredients as you're waiting for the water to boil. I start actually cooking the sauce when the pasta is boiling. Once the pasta is done, I toss it with the sauce right in the skillet (I also add a splash of the hot pasta water), and I serve it with extra parmesan grated over top and a little chopped fresh parsley.
    • Add the butter, cream cheese, cream, and garlic to a skillet over medium heat. Once the butter has melted and the pan has heated up, use your spoon to help the cream cheese melt into the sauce. This will take a couple of minutes.
    • Once the cream cheese has been incorporated into the sauce, let it gently bubble for 3-4 minutes or until the sauce has reduced a bit. Stir occasionally.
    • Stir the parmesan into the sauce, and let it melt in (about 30 seconds), then take it off the heat. The sauce should be thick enough by now, but if you want to reduce it more, let it cook for a bit longer. Keep in mind the sauce will thicken more as it cools/sits. If at any point the sauce gets too thick, add another tablespoon or two of cream OR if you're making pasta with it, the hot pasta water. Give it a taste and season with salt & pepper as needed.

    Notes

    • Note on serving size: This makes about 1.5 cups sauce. Serves 6+ if you don't mix it with pasta (e.g. you just use it as a sauce over chicken/fish/veggies). With the suggested 12 oz. of pasta it serves 4 people. Double the recipe if you want to fill a large jar and use it for multiple meals.
    • Pasta quantity: If you want to use an entire 1 pound (16 ounce) box of pasta, that's fine, but there won't be quite as much sauce as some people like (I suggest doubling the recipe). Make 8 ounces (1/2 pound) if you want lots of sauce. 12 ounces (3/4 of a box) is a good middle ground!
    • Alfredo sauce can separate if it's heated too hot/for too much time, so be mindful of that. 
    • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. For this recipe the nutrition info is just for the sauce.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 526kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 16gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 147mgSodium: 376mgPotassium: 215mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1133IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 251mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Alfredo sauce with cream cheese, homemade Alfredo sauce, how to make Alfredo sauce
    Author Natasha Bull
    « Easy Thai Chicken Curry
    Hot Cheddar Bacon Dip »

    Loved this recipe? Share it:

    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Lottie says

      January 11, 2023 at 6:45 PM

      5 stars
      Just made this and it was perfect. A quick dinner that my whole family loved. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 11, 2023 at 9:53 PM

        You're very welcome!! 🙂

        Reply
    2. autumn says

      December 21, 2022 at 11:43 AM

      Can I make this ahead of time for a party? 2 days would be preffered. Can I heat in a crockpot on warm for serving? Should I mix with noodles and then rehead? Thanks

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 21, 2022 at 1:06 PM

        Hi! Yes, in the post I do mention that it'll keep for 3-4 days in the fridge, so that should be fine, and to reheat slowly over a low heat, so the crockpot should be ok, but I wouldn't leave it for too long as these type of sauces can separate. I'd boil the noodles fresh just prior to serving if possible.

        Reply
    3. Theresa says

      November 23, 2022 at 5:16 AM

      5 stars
      Amazing recipe!! My family loved it! This will be my go to meal on a busy night.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 23, 2022 at 10:39 AM

        Fantastic!! Thanks so much for your review!

        Reply
    4. Barb says

      July 22, 2021 at 8:34 PM

      5 stars
      This sauce is amazing! I absolutely love it. It's easy and I always have the ingredients in the house. It's definitely company worthy. Thank you so much for sharing!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        July 22, 2021 at 9:16 PM

        I'm so glad you like it, Barb!! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Deb says

      May 25, 2021 at 2:52 PM

      Can you make without cream cheese? What can I sub for that we do not like cream cheese.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 25, 2021 at 3:06 PM

        Hi Deb! I spent a lot of time testing this recipe with the measurements as described, so I am reluctant to suggest something different since it would be purely guessing, and I don't want you to have to waste ingredients. The cream cheese is an integral part of this particular recipe. With that said, you could try this recipe that's very similar and doesn't use cream cheese: https://bit.ly/2SpJgHw

        Reply
    6. Cydney Formentera says

      April 3, 2021 at 9:32 PM

      5 stars
      Super yummy, easy, and quick but anytime I put Parmesan cheese, the sauce gets gritty! Does that mean I cooked it too long??

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 3, 2021 at 10:34 PM

        I’m so glad you like it! ♥️ Do you grate the Parmesan yourself like I recommend in the blog post? It makes a huge difference. I’ve never had it go gritty myself. Also stir it in right at the end. It shouldn’t be cooked much after you stir it in. I do that as the very last step.

        Reply
    7. Amanda says

      March 1, 2021 at 3:22 PM

      Could I use half&half instead of heavy cream??

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 1, 2021 at 8:51 PM

        I don't recommend it. I talk about this in the blog post. Sub at your own discretion. I'd hate for it to go wrong for you.

        Reply
    8. Jessica says

      February 20, 2021 at 4:20 PM

      5 stars
      Goodness this alfredo sauce is delicious... it is so rich and creamy and would go well with just about anything! I'm not a huge cream cheese fan but, because I've tried many of Natasha's recipes that turned out delicious, I decided to trust her expertise. I'm glad I did because it really does give the sauce just the right kick. I'm not very experienced in the kitchen so I was happy that the steps for the recipe were so detailed and it really wasn't hard to make at all. You will never buy jarred alfredo again!! I did attempt to reheat this the next day and the sauce broke, which I expected - it still tasted delicious, though.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 20, 2021 at 6:09 PM

        Yay!! So happy to hear that, Jessica! 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to review this recipe.

        Reply
    9. Noyan Aktug says

      January 29, 2021 at 5:28 PM

      5 stars
      So easy and so delicious. Relative to the purists perhaps turning up their noses at the use of cream cheese, that's ok. More for us!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 29, 2021 at 8:20 PM

        Agreed! Thanks so much! 🙂

        Reply
    10. Meridith says

      January 21, 2021 at 7:55 PM

      5 stars
      It’s amazing easy recipe thank you💕

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 22, 2021 at 9:05 AM

        You're very welcome! 🙂

        Reply
    11. Ali says

      January 21, 2021 at 11:34 AM

      5 stars
      Thank you for the cheese grater link! I’ve been looking to upgrade and I’m going to try this one 😉 recipe’s you provide are always amazing! Thank you again!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 21, 2021 at 2:59 PM

        You're very welcome!! Enjoy! 🙂

        Reply
    12. Isaiah E. says

      January 19, 2021 at 3:12 PM

      5 stars
      The Isaiah Empire fully endorses this recipe. I’d had been trying to figure out scratch alfredo sauce for years. Natasha nailed it here!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 19, 2021 at 3:16 PM

        Excellent! Thank you 🙂

        Reply
    13. Crystal Bailey says

      January 14, 2021 at 1:38 PM

      5 stars
      Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe. It was a major hit with the whole family. Trust me, that is saying a lot with six different personal in one house. We will definitely be making this again soon.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 14, 2021 at 2:42 PM

        Wow, I'm impressed!! That's great! 🙂 Thanks so much for letting me know. So happy you guys all liked it.

        Reply
    14. Suzy wasson says

      August 2, 2020 at 10:05 AM

      Can’t wait to try this..like all your other recipes...is there any way to file the ones we love on your blog?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        August 2, 2020 at 12:22 PM

        Wonderful! Thank you. Unfortunately there's no way to login/do that type of thing (I would have to do an expensive custom site re-design which I don't have plans for at the moment). I guess just old fashioned bookmarking/printing the recipe out. Sorry! I'd love to add that functionality eventually, though.

        Reply
    15. BTP says

      August 2, 2020 at 9:39 AM

      5 stars
      Cream cheese is definitely the answer to a foolproof Alfredo sauce. Years ago, I tried making it the traditional way with just butter, cream and parmesan and got a separated mess. Now, without cream cheese, I wouldn’t attempt it.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        August 2, 2020 at 12:26 PM

        Yes... it's definitely a handy trick and makes it a lot easier to handle for sure! Thanks!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Natasha Bull, founder and author of Salt & Lavender, in the kitchen

    Hi! I'm Natasha. Salt & Lavender is a recipe blog with a focus on delicious comfort food using everyday ingredients. Beat the weekday grind with hundreds of easy-to-follow and hassle-free recipes!  Read more...

    FREE 10 Easy Chicken Recipes E-book

    ​

      ​

      BROWSE RECIPES:

      Footer

      • Contact
      • FAQ
      • Site Policies
      • For Bloggers
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • Twitter

      · Copyright © 2023 Salt & Lavender Inc ·