Everyone loves this rich and creamy Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe. Made with five simple ingredients and ready in less than fifteen minutes, it’s easy to make and perfect with your favorite pasta or vegetables. Hands down the best alfredo sauce you’ll ever make!
Fettuccine alfredo has always been my number one favorite pasta recipe. After all, what could possibly be more satisfying than slurping up delicious noodles covered in cream, cheese, and butter? Not much.
Fortunately, homemade alfredo sauce is one of the easiest and fastest recipes you will ever make – just fifteen minutes! So junk the store-bought jarred stuff (or lovingly donate it to a friend) because homemade alfredo is so much better and a fraction of what you’ll pay at your favorite Italian restaurant.
What is Alfredo Sauce?
Alfredo sauce is a rich and creamy Italian pasta dish traditionally made with fresh fettuccine noodles tossed with butter and parmesan cheese (known as fettuccine al burro in Italy). As the dish spread to the United States, ingredients like garlic and heavy cream were added, changing the recipe into the one we’re more familiar with today.
How to Make Alfredo Sauce
1. Set a large skillet or saucepan over medium, medium-low heat. Melt the butter and add 1-3 cloves of fresh garlic or one teaspoon of garlic powder. Note: If you prefer your alfredo sauce without garlic, simply omit the garlic. Mix well and cook for about one minute, or until the garlic is fragrant.
2. Add the flour and whisk continuously until fully combined with the butter. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes (still whisking) until the roux is light and golden in color. Reduce the heat if necessary to prevent the roux from burning.
3. Slowly whisk the heavy cream into the flour and butter mixture. Allow it to cook over medium to medium-low heat for about 4-5 minutes, whisking the entire time. Add the parmesan cheese and mix well to combine.
4. Remove the alfredo sauce from the heat and continue to whisk until desired thickness is reached. Season with additional salt and black pepper to taste. Note: It will continue to thicken as it cools and it will continue to thicken after it is mixed with cooked pasta noodles.
5. Serve garnished with fresh parsley, crushed red pepper, and additional black pepper.
How to Thicken Alfredo Sauce
There are several ways to thicken alfredo sauce.
- Make a roux: We’re already making a roux at the beginning of this recipe by whisking together one tablespoon of flour with melted butter in a skillet until thickened. If you want your sauce even thicker, you can make a roux by whisking together equal parts butter and flour in a separate skillet set over medium heat. Once the sauce has finished cooking, add small amounts of the set-aside roux until desired consistency is reached.
- Make a slurry: Combine a little cornstarch with cold water until completely combined. Slowly add the slurry to the sauce until the desired consistency is reached.
- Add reserved pasta cooking water: Reserve a cup of the water that was used for cooking your pasta noodles. The water is super starchy, working as a natural thickener. Just be sure to add a little at a time.
How to Make Alfredo Sauce with Milk
Alfredo sauce is best when it’s made with heavy cream. If you prefer to make it with milk, remember that it will not be as creamy or flavorful. For best results, don’t use anything lower in fat than whole milk. Also, add an additional tablespoon or two of flour – this will help thicken your sauce.
Can You Freeze Creamy Alfredo Sauce
Yes. As far as I’ve read (because I haven’t actually tried it myself) alfredo sauce is ok to freeze as long as it is frozen right after it’s been made. Let it cool first, but then get the sauce in the freezer asap. It’s also recommended that the alfredo sauce be stored in freezer-friendly ziplock bags, removing with as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 6 months.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t overheat the sauce. Keep the heat setting right around medium-low. At no point should alfredo sauce boil.
- Use a whisk, and use it often. For a smooth sauce, whisking is more effective than stirring.
- Shred your own parm. Pre-shredded parmesan cheese in a bag or grated parm in a can will not melt into the sauce smoothly.
- Omit the flour to make this alfredo sauce recipe gluten-free.
Storing and Reheating
Storing: Store leftover alfredo sauce in an airtight container or jar with a tight-fitting lid and transfer to the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: Your best bet is to reheat leftover alfredo sauce over low heat on the stovetop stirring frequently. Reheating in the microwave is not recommended as it will change the consistency of the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
This easy alfredo sauce is perfect with your favorite cooked pasta – fettuccine may be the classic, but whatever you have sitting in your pantry will taste just as yummy! Even tossed with spaghetti squash is fantastic (and one of my favorite ways to get my son to eat more vegetables.) A side of grilled chicken, baked chicken breasts, or juicy shrimp are all delicious smothered in a creamy sauce, as are veggies like zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots.
More Homemade Pasta Sauces
- Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
- Easy Basil Pesto Recipe
- Marinara Sauce
- Spicy Arrabbiata Sauce Recipe
- Grandma’s Spaghetti Sauce with Meat
- Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
If you try making this Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know! I always love to hear your thoughts.
RECIPE CARD
Best Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon butter
- 1 clove garlic - minced, optional
- 1 tablespoon flour - see notes
- ¼ teaspoon salt - plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper - plus more to taste
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese - freshly grated
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large skillet set over medium to medium-low heat. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for approximately 1 minute or until fragrant.
- Add the flour, salt, and black pepper, whisking continuously until a thick, golden-colored paste forms (called a "roux"), about 2 minutes. (see notes)
- Slowly add the heavy cream, whisking continuously to prevent any clumps from forming. Continue to cook for approximately 4-5 minutes, whisking the entire time. Reduce heat if necessary to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Stir in the parmesan cheese then remove from heat.
- Continue to whisk off-heat for an additional minute or until thickened. Season with additional salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve with cooked fettuccine, penne, or other favorite pasta and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
Jessica’s Notes
- Adding flour is optional. A little flour, however, will help thicken the alfredo sauce a little. If you prefer an even thicker sauce, add an additional tablespoon of flour for a total of two tablespoons.
- If the sauce is too thick, stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Note: Your sauce will continue to thicken after it is tossed with cooked pasta noodles. This is because cooked pasta is super starchy and acts as a natural thickener.
- For best results, keep leftover alfredo sauce stored in an airtight jar or container separate from the pasta noodles. Use within 4 days.
Nutritional Information
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)
This turned out great! My kids ate it up. I cooked and diced chicken thighs to toss on top.
I love hearing your kids enjoyed it, Danae 🙂
Fabulous most delicious perfect Alfredo sauce – and easy! Thank you
Thanks, Deborah 🙂
So I came across this because I had made a tv dinner (it was a long day) that was Alfredo chicken and broccoli. I had made my own noodles and but there was no sauce on my dinner. I had everything in my kitchen to make this except Parmesan so my wife ran to the store and back and I made the sauce. Alfredo is my favorite dish so I feel like I would know if this is really 5 star sauce. My wife told me I’m never buying sauce again. This was so delicious.
Thanks for the delicious feedback and rating, Hayley 🙂
Has anyone ever frozen this once its made and cooled?
You didn’t include the amount of pasta needed for the various number of servings. Did you include this or did I miss it? The sauce recipe sounds delicious.
About 1 lb 🙂
I give this not but 2👍🏾👍🏾up Delicious 🤤 making it again again and again Thank you ❤️
I appreciate that, Orchard 🙂
How can you reheat it without it just turning into pure oil?
To reheat Alfredo sauce without it separating into oil, gently warm it over low heat on the stove, stirring frequently. Adding a splash of milk or cream as you heat can help maintain the sauce’s creamy consistency. Alternatively, reheating it in short bursts in the microwave at a reduced power, stirring between each interval, can also prevent it from breaking down. These methods help to evenly distribute the heat and keep the emulsion of the sauce intact.
Thank you!
Excellent – just as good as anything I have been served in a restaurant. Very easy to make and I warmed it up the next day and it was delish! Thanks for a great recipe!
This sauce was perfect! One Tbs of flour was enough to thicken sauce as it thickens as its sits. It was smooth, light even with all heavy cream! A keeper!
Thanks for the perfect feedback Carol 🙂
Great recipe! I added garlic salt and some Italian herbs and it was perfect!
Thanks, Emily 🙂
I don’t need the history of Alfredo sauce..just the recipe
Jan- You are always welcome to use the “jump to recipe”button!
Jess thank you for the information-great recipe!
HISTORY OF ALFREDO DI LELIO CREATOR IN 1908 OF “FETTUCCINE ALL’ALFREDO” (“FETTUCCINE ALFREDO”), NOW SERVED BY HIS NEPHEW INES DI LELIO, AT THE RESTAURANT “IL VERO ALFREDO” – “ALFREDO DI ROMA” IN ROME, PIAZZA AUGUSTO IMPERATORE 30
With reference to your article I have the pleasure to tell you the history of my grandfather Alfredo Di Lelio, who is the creator of “Fettuccine all’Alfredo” (“Fettuccine Alfredo”) in 1908 in the “trattoria” run by his mother Angelina in Rome, Piazza Rosa (Piazza disappeared in 1910 following the construction of the Galleria Colonna / Sordi). This “trattoria” of Piazza Rosa has become the “birthplace of fettuccine all’Alfredo”.
More specifically, as is well known to many people who love the “fettuccine all’Alfredo”, this famous dish in the world was invented by Alfredo Di Lelio concerned about the lack of appetite of his wife Ines, who was pregnant with my father Armando (born February 26, 1908).
Alfredo Di Lelio opened his restaurant “Alfredo” in 1914 in Rome and in 1943, during the war, he sold the restaurant to others outside his family.
In 1948 Alfredo Di Lelio decided to reopen with his son Armando his restaurant in Piazza Augusto Imperatore n.30 “Il Vero Alfredo” (“Alfredo di Roma”), whose fame in the world has been strengthened by his nephew Alfredo and that now managed by me, with the famous “gold cutlery” (fork and spoon gold) donated in 1927 by two well-known American actors Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks (in gratitude for the hospitality).
See the website of “Il Vero Alfredo”.
I must clarify that other restaurants “Alfredo” in Rome do not belong and are out of my brand “Il Vero Alfredo – Alfredo di Roma”.
The brand “Il Vero Alfredo – Alfredo di Roma” is present in Mexico with a restaurant in Mexico City and a trattoria in Cozumel on the basis of franchising relationships with the Group Hotel Presidente Intercontinental Mexico.
The restaurant “Il Vero Alfredo” is in the Registry of “Historic Shops of Excellence – section on Historical Activities of Excellence” of the Municipality of Roma Capitale.
Best regards Ines Di Lelio
IN ITALIANO
STORIA DI ALFREDO DI LELIO, CREATORE DELLE “FETTUCCINE ALL’ALFREDO” (“FETTUCCINE ALFREDO”), E DELLA SUA TRADIZIONE FAMILIARE PRESSO IL RISTORANTE “IL VERO ALFREDO” (“ALFREDO DI ROMA”) IN PIAZZA AUGUSTO IMPERATORE A ROMA
Con riferimento al Vostro articolo ho il piacere di raccontarVi la storia di mio nonno Alfredo Di Lelio, inventore delle note “fettuccine all’Alfredo” (“Fettuccine Alfredo”).
Alfredo Di Lelio, nato nel settembre del 1883 a Roma in Vicolo di Santa Maria in Trastevere, cominciò a lavorare fin da ragazzo nella piccola trattoria aperta da sua madre Angelina in Piazza Rosa, un piccolo slargo (scomparso intorno al 1910) che esisteva prima della costruzione della Galleria Colonna (ora Galleria Sordi).
Il 1908 fu un anno indimenticabile per Alfredo Di Lelio: nacque, infatti, suo figlio Armando e videro contemporaneamente la luce in tale trattoria di Piazza Rosa le sue “fettuccine”, divenute poi famose in tutto il mondo. Questa trattoria è “the birthplace of fettuccine all’Alfredo”.
Alfredo Di Lelio inventò le sue “fettuccine” per dare un ricostituente naturale, a base di burro e parmigiano, a sua moglie (e mia nonna) Ines, prostrata in seguito al parto del suo primogenito (mio padre Armando). Il piatto delle “fettuccine” fu un successo familiare prima ancora di diventare il piatto che rese noto e popolare Alfredo Di Lelio, personaggio con “i baffi all’Umberto” ed i calli alle mani a forza di mischiare le sue “fettuccine” davanti ai clienti sempre più numerosi.
Nel 1914, a seguito della chiusura di detta trattoria per la scomparsa di Piazza Rosa dovuta alla costruzione della Galleria Colonna, Alfredo Di Lelio decise di aprire a Roma il suo ristorante “Alfredo” che gestì fino al 1943, per poi cedere l’attività a terzi estranei alla sua famiglia.
Ma l’assenza dalla scena gastronomica di Alfredo Di Lelio fu del tutto transitoria. Infatti nel 1948 riprese il controllo della sua tradizione familiare ed aprì, insieme al figlio Armando, il ristorante “Il Vero Alfredo” (noto all’estero anche come “Alfredo di Roma”) in Piazza Augusto Imperatore n.30 (cfr. il sito web di Il Vero Alfredo).
Con l’avvio del nuovo ristorante Alfredo Di Lelio ottenne un forte successo di pubblico e di clienti negli anni della “dolce vita”. Successo, che, tuttora, richiama nel ristorante un flusso continuo di turisti da ogni parte del mondo per assaggiare le famose “fettuccine all’Alfredo” al doppio burro da me servite, con
l’impegno di continuare nel tempo la tradizione familiare dei miei cari maestri, nonno Alfredo, mio padre Armando e mio fratello Alfredo. In particolare le fettuccine sono servite ai clienti con 2 “posate d’oro”: una forchetta ed un cucchiaio d’oro regalati nel 1927 ad Alfredo dai due noti attori americani M. Pickford e D. Fairbanks (in segno di gratitudine per l’ospitalità).
Desidero precisare che altri ristoranti “Alfredo” a Roma non appartengono e sono fuori dal mio brand di famiglia.
Il brand “Il Vero Alfredo – Alfredo di Roma” è presente in Messico con un ristorante a Città del Messico e una trattoria a Cozumel sulla base di rapporti di franchising con il Group Hotel Presidente Intercontinental Mexico.
Vi informo che il Ristorante “Il Vero Alfredo” è presente nell’Albo dei “Negozi Storici di Eccellenza – sezione Attività Storiche di Eccellenza” del Comune di Roma Capitale.
Grata per la Vostra attenzione ed ospitalità nel Vostro interessante blog, cordiali saluti
Ines Di Lelio