Easy 15-Minute Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Make a rich, creamy, and classic homemade Alfredo sauce from scratch in just 15 minutes. This simple Parmesan cream sauce uses few ingredients and tastes better than jarred sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: About 1.5 cups sauce 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Do not let the butter brown.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir frequently to prevent scorching.
- Reduce the heat to low. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese, a little at a time, until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Continue to cook on low for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the salt and pepper.
- Toss immediately with your favorite cooked pasta, like fettuccine, or use as a topping for chicken or vegetables.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can add 1 clove of minced garlic to the butter while it melts in step 1. Sauté for 30 seconds before adding the cream.
- Always use freshly grated Parmesan cheese; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
- If the sauce becomes too thick after sitting, stir in a tablespoon of warm milk or reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 21
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 8
- Cholesterol: 110