Easy Alfredo Sauce
Author: Heather Scholten · Posted: Jun 04, 2024 · Updated: Jun 18, 2025
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I definitely love pasta and there’s nothing like a weeknight alfredo sauce from scratch to fill my heart with love. The best part about this rich and creamy Easy Alfredo Sauce recipe uses heavy cream, butter, cream cheese, parmesan cheese, and garlic to create a decadent sauce that clings beautifully to your favorite pasta. It’s a perfect weeknight staple that tastes like it came from a fancy Italian bistro – but better, because you made it yourself.
Whether you’re tossing it with fettuccine, spooning it over roasted veggies, or using it as a white pizza base, this creamy Alfredo sauce is destined to become a repeat player in your dinner rotation.
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Heather’s Notes
- Quick & Easy: This recipe comes together in less than 15 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you want something comforting but fast.
- Extra Creamy Texture: Thanks to the combination of heavy cream and cream cheese, this Alfredo is rich and ultra-smooth without the need for a roux.
- Flavor-Packed: Garlic and freshly grated Parmesan bring bold, savory flavor to the sauce. No bland Alfredo here!
- Versatile: Use it as a pasta sauce, pizza base, dip for breadsticks, or drizzle over roasted veggies or grilled chicken.
- Minimal Ingredients: You only need a handful of pantry and fridge staples to whip up this restaurant-style sauce at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Just a few ingredients is all that’s necessary to make this quick and easy creamy alfredo sauce.
- Cream Cheese – any type of cream cheese will work, but flavor will vary if you use fat-free
- Unsalted Butter – or salted, just dial back the kosher salt
- Heavy Cream & Milk – for the creamy deliciousness
- Parmesan Cheese – freshly grated parmesan cheese is always best
- Garlic Powder or minced garlic – I prefer fresh garlic, but if you’re in a pinch, garlic powder works just fine
- Salt & Black Pepper – kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- Al dente pasta – optional.
- Fresh parsley – for serving, optional
- Italian Seasoning – optional
Find the printable recipe card with exact measurements and step-by-step instructions below.
How to Make Homemade Alfredo Sauce
- The homemade alfredo sauce recipe is simple and comes together in just a few minutes. I highly recommend grating your own parmesan and not using pre-shredded cheeses as they are coated in an anti-caking powder which can make your sauce results differ. Full recipe and instructions are listed below.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the butter and cream cheese, stir until melted. Whisk in heavy cream, milk, and garlic powder until smooth. Stir in parmesan cheese, black pepper, and salt. Remove from the heat and toss with your favorite pasta.
Pro tip: Double the batch and keep some on hand – you’ll be glad you did when the next pasta craving hits!
Tips for Storing
- Refrigerator: Let the sauce cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: Reheat gently over low heat on the stove, stirring frequently. Add a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce if it’s too thick.
- Freezing: Alfredo sauce can be frozen, but the texture may change slightly due to the cream and cheese. For best results, cool it completely, store in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat slowly.
- Don’t Boil: When reheating, avoid boiling the sauce – this can cause the dairy to separate and become grainy.
FAQs
You can, but it won’t be as rich or creamy. If you’re looking for a lighter version, use whole milk and add an extra tablespoon of cream cheese to help thicken the sauce.
Absolutely! This sauce keeps will in the fridge for 4-5 days. Just reheat it gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream or milk if it thickens too much.
Cream cheese acts as a stabilizer and thickener, helping the sauce become ultra-silky while also adding a subtle tang that balances out the richness of the cream and cheese.
Fettuccine is the classic choice, but this Alfredo pairs beautifully with penne, linguine, or even tortellini. It’s also a delicious topper for gnocchi, pizza, or spaghetti squash.
More Pasta Recipes We Love
- Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
- Homemade Hamburger Helper
- Beetroot Ricotta Gnocchi
- Summer Vegetable Pesto Pasta
- Lemon Angel Hair Pasta
This easy Alfredo sauce recipe is a go-to for creamy pasta dinners without the fuss of flour or long simmer times. With the richness of cream cheese and the nutty depth of Parmesan, every bite feels indulgent yet comforting. Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner fix or want to impress your guests with a homemade touch, this sauce has you covered.
Easy Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 4 oz parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tsp garlic powder, or granules
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
- pinch kosher salt
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, add the butter and cream cheese, stir until melted. Whisk in heavy cream, milk, and garlic powder until smooth.
- Stir in parmesan cheese, black pepper, and salt.
- Remove from the heat and toss with your favorite pasta.
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Notes
Recipe Nutrition
* Nutritional information is not guaranteed to be accurate.
Recipe By:
Co-Founder at Spiceology | More About Heather…
Heather is a recipe developer and content creator living in Vancouver, Washington. She started Farmgirl Gourmet in 2006, almost 20 years ago, as a way to share recipes with friends and family. Heather is also the co-founder of Spiceology , a unique spice company, which she started in 2013. She shares family friendly recipes for easy everyday meals with a gourmet twist.
This was the easiest and tastiest alfredo I’ve ever made.
I love this simple alfredo recipe and hope you will too!