This easy homemade alfredo sauce recipe is made from scratch and is the perfect pair to your favorite pasta. Made in just 10 minutes, this thick and creamy sauce will help you make a simple weeknight meal or cozy Sunday dinner with family.
This post was originally published in January 2021 and has been updated for content.
There is nothing like a good homemade alfredo sauce slathered all over freshly cooked pasta. This recipe is not only quick to make, but it's packed full of amazing flavor.
Alfredo sauce is a creamy white sauce, that is traditionally made from only butter, cheese and a little bit of pasta cooking water. More americanized versions will include heavy cream, cream cheese or half and half.
This recipe uses a roux, which is equal parts fat and flour, to make a super creamy and thick sauce that is great for pasta, pizza and more!
Check out my post on what to eat with alfredo for the best list of pastas, breads, side dishes and more to make a memorable meal to share with your family.
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🍝 Ingredients for alfredo sauce
- Butter, garlic & flour - These are the 3 ingredients used as the base for the sauce to make the roux that will thicken and flavor the alfredo.
- Half and Half - Half and half adds a rich, creamy flavor to this sauce, without it being too heavy. For a lighter sauce, opt to use milk, and for an extra rich sauce, use heavy cream.
- Cheese - Parmesan cheese is the traditional cheese used in alfredo sauce. For a different flavor, try asiago, pecorino romano or grana padano.
- Spices - Salt, pepper and bit of nutmeg are used to flavor the sauce. For a more plain alfredo, the pepper and nutmeg can be omitted. Crushed red pepper flakes can also be added to spice things up a bit!
- Pasta water - This is used to thin out the sauce to the desired consistency, but also adds extra creaminess and helps the pasta bind to the sauce. Milk or vegetable broth can be used as an alternatives if needed.
🔪 How to make alfredo sauce
First, melt the butter in the pan and then add the garlic and cook it just until it becomes fragrant. Sprinkle the flour in and cook, while whisking for a minute or two. Next, whisk in the half and half until the sauce starts to thicken and then add in the parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
Lastly, add ½ - 1 cups of the pasta cooking water to thin the sauce to the desired consistency and toss with your favorite pasta!
If you ever don't recognize a tool or skill that I mention, be sure to look it up in the Glossary of Cooking Terms and Definitions for more information.
⭐ Expert tips
- Allow the butter to melt until it stops foaming. This means all of the water has evaporated and it will easily bind with the flour to create the roux.
- Just cook the garlic until it becomes fragrant so it doesn't burn and create a bitter taste to the alfredo sauce.
- Remove the pan off of the heat when adding the cheese and seasonings so the sauce doesn't get too hot and separate.
- If the sauce is going to be used for pasta, opt to add some pasta cooking water to the sauce to thin it out. Not only does it add flavor, but it helps bind the sauce to the pasta and makes it extra creamy.
🍽 How to use alfredo sauce
- Smother freshly cooked homemade spinach fettuccine in this tasty sauce.
- Substitute the old school Italian gravy in my classic Italian lasagna recipe to make a delicious white lasagna.
- Make white pizza by substituting the red sauce in my pizza on the grill recipe.
- Use this easy homemade alfredo sauce to make roasted chicken broccoli alfredo for a quick weeknight meal.
⏲️ Make ahead and storage instructions
This homemade alfredo sauce can be made ahead of time if needed. Make sure to cool the sauce completely before storing it in an airtight container.
The sauce will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Frozen sauce should be defrosted in the refrigerator. Reheat the sauce in a pan on the stovetop over medium low heat, whisking frequently until heated through. A little bit of pasta cooking water, half and half or broth can be added while whisking to help the sauce become smooth again.
For a quick overview of this recipe, check out my web story for this tasty alfredo sauce.
🍝 More pasta recipes
If you enjoyed this easy homemade alfredo recipe, check out these other pasta recipes that I know you will love too!
- Roasted Eggplant Spinach Pasta
- Creamy Sundried Tomato Pasta with Goat Cheese
- Casarecce Pasta with Asparagus and Peas
📖 Recipe
Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ stick unsalted butter
- 1 Tablespoon chopped garlic
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 1 pint half and half
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated or shredded
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ - 1 cup pasta cooking water milk or vegetable broth
Instructions
- In a large saute pan, melt the butter over medium high heat until it stops foaming. Stir in the chopped garlic, allowing it to cook for about 30-60 seconds, until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Sprinkle in the flour and whisk to combine. Allow the mixture to cook for 1-2 minutes while, stirring occasionally, so it doesn't burn.
- Pour in the half and half and whisk to combine. Lower heat to medium and cook while whisking until the sauce thickens.
- Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Whisk in reserved pasta cooking water to get the desired consistency and use immediately.
Notes
- Allow the butter to melt until it stops foaming so it will easily bind with the flour to create the roux.
- Just cook the garlic until it becomes fragrant so it doesn't burn and create a bitter taste.
- Remove the pan off of the heat when adding the cheese and seasonings so the sauce doesn't separate.
- If the sauce is going to be used for pasta, opt to add some pasta cooking water to the sauce to thin it out. Not only does it add flavor, but it helps bind the sauce to the pasta and makes it extra creamy.
Substitutions and Variations
- Half and Half - For a lighter sauce, opt to use milk instead, and for an extra rich sauce, use heavy cream.
- Cheese - Asiago, pecorino romano or grana padano are substitutes that can be used instead of the parmesan cheese.
- Spices - For a more plain alfredo, the pepper and nutmeg can be omitted. Crushed red pepper flakes can also be added to spice things up a bit!
- Pasta water - Milk or vegetable broth can be used as an alternatives if needed.
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