The Best 10-Minute Homemade Alfredo Sauce: Rich, Creamy & Easy
Make a rich, creamy, and silky homemade Alfredo sauce from scratch in just 10 minutes. This simple recipe uses classic ingredients like butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese for a flavor superior to jarred versions.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: About 1.5 cups sauce (serves 4) 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, packed
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, 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. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low.
- Slowly whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese, a little at a time, until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook on low for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Remove the sauce from the heat immediately. Toss with your favorite pasta, like fettuccine, or use as a simple pasta topping.
Notes
- For the creamiest texture, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
- If the sauce becomes too thick after sitting, whisk in a splash of warm milk or pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- This recipe makes a fantastic base for a quick dinner sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 280
- Fat: 34
- Saturated Fat: 20
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 8
- Cholesterol: 110