Description
This easy 15-minute recipe makes the best, rich and creamy homemade Alfredo sauce loaded with delicious garlic and Parmesan flavors.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt, or to taste (see note)
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Slow stir in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and add grated Parmesan cheese in batches, stirring constantly until the cheese melts smoothly into the sauce. Season with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
- Simmer gently until the sauce has thickened and coats the back of a spoon, about 3-4 minutes. Do a taste test and adjust seasonings, if needed.
- Toss with your favorite pasta and serve with the cooked protein of your choice.
- Dish and serve hot garnished with fresh parsley (optional).
- Enjoy!
Notes
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Making this recipe with freshly grated Parmesan cheese is highly encouraged. Pre-grated Parmesan cheese has anti-clumping chemicals that affect how well it melts into the sauce. I’ve found the packaged cheese makes a lumpier sauce, so I usually buy a block of Parmesan and grate it myself with a microplane or box grater.
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You can thin out the sauce if it’s too thick or when reheating leftovers with more heavy cream, milk, broth, or pasta water.
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Depending on your salt intake and tolerance, you might not need to add more salt to the Alfredo sauce. Most of the saltiness and flavor can be borrowed from the Parmesan.
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More garlic – Make it even more garlicky by adding some garlic powder on top of the fresh garlic.
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Make it richer – Substitute half the Parmesan cheese with some cream cheese for a richer sauce.
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Add more flavor – Try a mix of Parmesan and Romano cheese for a stronger, bolder sauce.
- Scroll up to RECIPE TIPS for more useful tips, suggestions and ingredient substitutions.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins