How to make the Best Alfredo Pasta Sauce

Who knew Alfredo Pasta Sauce was so easy to make!  This is a delicious Alfredo Sauce recipe made right on the stove top.

In minutes you can make a thick and creamy Alfredo Sauce that you will come back for, I promise.

Somewhere I got the notion that making an Afredo Sauce was hard or time consuming.

So let other's think that and you can whip out a recipe that with make other's mouth drool.

Post updated May 2020

I like to use a good frying pan / skillet with rounded up sides.

I prefer a skillet over a stock pot because more surface area gets hot at once and cooks the ingredients. It just works better.

Fun Fact

The dish is named after Alfredo di Lelio, who featured the dish at his restaurant in Rome

What's in Alfredo Sauce?

• 1 Cup Fresh Parmasan Cheese Grated
• 3 Tbls Butter
• 2 Cloves garlic
• ¼ tsp Salt
• Pinch Pepper
• 2 Cups Whipping Cream

How to make Alfredo Sauce?

• Heat up a Skillet with a little butter and garlic over medium / high heat
• As the butter melts and sizzles the garlic will begin to mell wonderful. Now is the time to add the Heavy Cream
• Stir in the cream and add salt and pepper
• Let the cream heat up and start to bubble around the edges
• Sprinkle in grated Parmesan Cheese and stir
• Turn heat down to medium and stir until cheese is melted.
• You can thin Alfredo Sauce by adding chicken broth or even milk. Add up to ½ cup depending on preference

The instructions are super simple, but even you won’t believe it so I’ve put together a quick video to prove it to you. 

Now don’t you wish you just kept whipping cream in the refrigerator? 

Well, I stock it now because you just never know when a little bit of Alfredo Pasta will curb an appetite.

It’s really that simple.  Serve Alfredo Pasta wit the Bruschetta Chicken and even the Easy Garlic Bread.  Oh so good!

I know you have questions, so let me help with the frequently asked questions

What Pasta should I cook with Alfredo Sauce?

Traditionally Fettuccine pasta is served with Alfredo Sauce, however any pasta will do. We even love to serve with Ravoli

How to Cook Pasta?

Fortunately on the side of all pasta packages there are directions for cooking. I personally like to add a little salt and a tablespoon or two of butter when I cook pasta.

Can I precook pasta?

Precooking pasta works. Cook pasta to al dente and rinse under cool water. Then toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.

You can easily reheat in a pot of boiling water for a minute or less when you are ready to serve

Can I cook Pasta in the Instant Pot?

Yes! To cook pasta in the Instant Pot, add enough water to fully submerge pasta and set to Pressure Cook for half the time listed on the package.

Allow for equal time in Natural Pressure Release and your pasta should be perfectly al dente

Can I freeze Alfredo Pasta Sauce?

Alfredo Sauce is a milk based product so freezing doesn't work as well as you would like but it can be done. Just realize the sauce will separate a bit and may not be as creamy

My sauce is too thick, how to thin Alfredo Sauce?

I love a good thick sauce, but often times it can also be too thick. To thin Alfredo Sauce simple add milk or even chicken broth until you reach the desired consistency.

Remember the sauce will also thicken as it cools

Alfredo Sauce with Half and Half

Great question. YES you can substitute Half and Half for Heavy Cream in this recipe. It not only cut calories but will naturally make a thinner sauce.

Alfredo Sauce with Cream Cheese

Making Alfredo Sauce with Cream Cheese is also an option. Add 3 Tbs Cream Cheese into the sauce mixture for an extra creamy delicious Alfredo Sauce

How to reduce calories for Alfredo Sauce

In the case you want to reduce a few calories you can substitute the heavy cream for evaporated milk. You might want to add an extra ¼ cup of cheese to make sure the sauce thickens to your liking.

What is the best Alfredo Sauce?

Naturally this recipe, but if all else fails and you just need to pick up a jar of bottled sauce try Bertolli Alfredo Sauce. It's a happy 2nd in our home.

It will heat quickly in a saucepan and then toss with your noodles.

Are All Cheeses the Same?

No, all cheeses are definitely not the same. You can use a grated Parmesan cheese from your local grocery super store.

But using fresh Parmesan cheese and grating it yourself will yield a much better sauce.

Or use half Romano and half Parmesan cheese. Mmmm Yum!

Can I make Alfredo Sauce ahead of time?

Alfredo Sauce is tricky in that when it heats up it is smooth and creamy. As it cools the oils in the cheese and butter tend to separate from the dairy.

It can successfully be whisked back together on the stove but doesn't do well when heated in the microwave.

Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Pasta is always great, but what about adding in some chicken. You betcha! Why not make a well seasoned Air Fried Chicken Breast to add to this dish.

On a recent trip to Europe I spent a number of days in Italy and my goal was to eat Italian Pasta, specifically Alfredo Sauce with Fettuccine pasta.

My experience was glorious sitting at an outdoor Italian Cafe in Florence enjoying the atmosphere and people watching.

The history and culture is unlike anywhere else and this memory will be forever etched in my mind, not to mention my meal is absolutely incredible.

Fettuccine Alfredo is not only a simple recipe in Italy it is simply called Fettuccine al burro meaning Pasta with Butter.

I feel like the American Version has significantly more cream and less butter making a thick and creamy delicious sauce.

My recommendation is to serve a fresh garden salad with a simple vinaigrette dressing and breadsticks on the side. You won't regret it.

More recipes to try

• Marinara Sauce
• How to make French Bread
• Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
• Bruschetta Chicken
• Taco Alfredo Sauce
• Chicken Carbonara
• Chicken Cordon Bleu Soup
• Fiesta Chicken Casserole
• Honey Mustard Chicken and Rice
• BBQ Chicken Tostada