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    You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Pasta / Best Homemade Alfredo Sauce

    Best Homemade Alfredo Sauce

    Published: May 25, 2019 · Modified: Aug 22, 2020 by Anna 43 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    This Homemade Alfredo Sauce recipe makes the best pasta sauce with milk or half and half, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and butter. Add it to fettuccine, penne, chicken dish, or casserole to make a delicious meal in minutes!

    Use this pasta sauce to serve with fettuccine, like my Chicken Alfredo or my Cheesy Alfredo Pasta Bake.

    Overhead shot of white pasta sauce in glass jar.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Why this recipe is the best?
    • Ingredients:
    • How to make Alfredo sauce from scratch?
    • Helpful Tips!
    • Common questions:
    • More easy sauce recipes:
    • Homemade Alfredo Sauce

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    One of the most popular pasta sauces happens to be super easy to make completely from scratch right in my own kitchen. You can make it right before serving or ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Add this creamy Alfredo sauce to any pasta with vegetables, and meat and you have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes!

    If there is one from-scratch recipe that you try this week, it has to be this one! It will make you fall in love with cooking at home and cooking from scratch.  I make this sauce every week and serve it with fettuccine, chicken, bacon (and sometimes ham) for a decadent pasta dinner or mix it with penne, broccoli, and mozzarella and bake to perfection.

    Why this recipe is the best?

    If you want to make Alfredo sauce from scratch most likely you want to make it as good if not better than the store-bought kind and of course cheaper. This sauce fits the requirements!

    First, I use half and half which is cheaper than heavy cream but still makes the sauce rich and creamy.

    Second, if you grate Parmesan cheese yourself you not only save money but also get better flavor. Pre-grated cheese is coated with starch to prevent clumping and dries out in the package. This affects the flavor a lot.

    Third, I use cornstarch which does not require cooking out the raw flavor like flour. You simply mix it with the base liquid and add it to the pan. It will thicken out perfectly in minutes. It also makes the sauce gluten-free.

    Ingredients:

    • butter - Use unsalted butter to control the taste.
    • garlic - I highly recommend using fresh garlic to make this sauce.
    • half and half - This is my favorite ingredient for making creamy sauces. It's a mix of equal parts of heavy cream and milk.
    • Parmesan cheese - Use the best quality you can. I prefer to grate it myself instead of using pre-grated stuff from the store.
    • cornstarch - It makes the sauce smooth, while flour can clump up during cooking.
    • Italian seasoning and dried oregano - My favorite dried herbs mix for the sauce.
    Overhead shot of white sauce in saucepan with wooden spoon inside.

    How to make Alfredo sauce from scratch?

    • Melt butter in a saucepan. Add garlic and cook until golden and fragrant.
    • Whisk together half and half, cornstarch, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and oregano. Add to garlic. Cook, stirring often until thick. Add Parmesan cheese and stir it in to melt.
    • Remove from heat and use immediately OR cool completely and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    Overhead shot of fettuccine with Alfredo sauce in saucepan.

    Helpful Tips!

    • cornstarch: I've been experimenting with this sauce recipe for years and finally settled on the perfect amount of garlic and Parmesan cheese that makes this sauce. I stopped using flour in my sauces years ago when I learned that cornstarch never clumps and creates the smoothest textures. I highly recommend trying it.
    • garlic: I always saute garlic in butter for this recipe but if you want to skip this step, you can add all of the ingredients into a blender, blend for 20 seconds until smooth, and add to chicken in a saucepan and cook until it thickens. If you don't have fresh garlic on hand, use 2 teaspoons of garlic powder. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment section below and I will be happy to answer them! 😀
    • Parmesan: try to avoid pre-shredded Parmesan cheese as it is often coated with starch to prevent sticking. I highly recommend buying Parmesan cheese in wedges and grating it at home.

    Common questions:

    Can this sauce be canned?

    While you can find recipes for canned Alfredo sauce, it is not recommended to can dairy sauces. Besides, this recipe is quick and easy to make ahead of time, up to 6 days.

    Can I freeze this sauce?

    Yes, you can freeze Alfredo sauce. After cooking, cool the sauce completely. Place in freezer-safe bags or containers, date and name it and store in the freezer for up to 6 months. When ready to use, reheat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. Oftentimes, frozen creamy sauces tend to curdle, so stirring it over lower heat is essential.

    Is Alfredo sauce gluten-free?

    Yes! I used cornstarch to thicken the sauce which makes the sauce gluten-free. Just make sure to use GF pasta to serve it with.

    How long does it last?

    I recommend storing Alfredo sauce in the fridge. It will be good for up to 6 days. Take it out of the fridge 20 minutes before adding it to pasta, so it can come to room temperature.

    What cheese is the best for Alfredo sauce?

    I've made this sauce so many times and always prefer to use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. If you can get Pecorino Romano, that's even better. Pre-shredded cheese is coated with starch to prevent clumping and it will affect the final result.

    More easy sauce recipes:

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      Mushroom Sauce (fail-proof recipe)
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      Simple Marinara Sauce Recipe
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    If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!

    White pasta sauce in glass jar without lid.

    Homemade Alfredo Sauce

    Author: Anna
    This Homemade Alfredo Sauce recipe makes the best pasta sauce with milk or half and half, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and butter. Add it to fettuccine, penne, chicken dish, or casserole to make a delicious meal in minutes!
    5 from 11 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 2 cups
    Calories 562 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 Tablespoons butter
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 2 cups half and half a mixture of milk and cream; available in dairy section
    • 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
    • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
      2 Tablespoons butter
    • Add minced garlic and saute until golden.
      3 cloves garlic
    • In a mixing bowl, whisk together half and half, cornstarch, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and oregano. Add mixture to sauteing garlic.
      2 cups half and half, 2 Tablespoons cornstarch, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
    • Cook, stirring often until thick.
    • Add Parmesan cheese and stir well.
      ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
    • Remove from heat and use in pasta dish (see notes) OR cool to room temperature, pour into a jar and store in fridge for up to 3 days.

    Video

    Notes

    • Use this sauce with cooked pasta, vegetables and meat for a quick dinner OR add to cooked pasta and veggies, pour into a casserole dish, top with more cheese and bake.
    • If you don't have fresh garlic on hand, use 2 teaspoons of garlic powder.
    • If you don't have time to saute the garlic, place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Cook in pan until thick.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 562kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 28g | Cholesterol: 141mg | Sodium: 873mg | Potassium: 363mg | Vitamin A: 1425IU | Vitamin C: 3.5mg | Calcium: 548mg | Iron: 0.7mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Diane says

      August 20, 2023 at 2:26 pm

      5 stars
      My family loves this Alfredo — says it’s even better than at a restaurant! With a family of 5 we double it. Definitely so fresh Parmesan if you can —-amazing flavor!

      Reply
    2. Lisa says

      June 11, 2023 at 7:17 pm

      5 stars
      Very delicious recipe.

      Reply
      • Anna says

        June 15, 2023 at 10:33 pm

        Thank you so much, Lisa!

        Reply
    3. Sharina says

      May 08, 2023 at 8:44 pm

      5 stars
      Used this on our chicken alfredo pasta last night and it was a hit! The sauce was creamier and richer in flavor! Highly recommended!

      Reply
    4. Olivia says

      May 08, 2023 at 8:10 pm

      5 stars
      Yummy! This alfredo sauce was so creamy and delicious! Thanks for sharing

      Reply
    5. Kristen says

      May 08, 2023 at 6:32 pm

      5 stars
      This alfredo sauce added so much flavor to my pasta, so much better than any I could have made on my own.

      Reply
    6. Ruth Ellen says

      February 05, 2023 at 6:55 pm

      5 stars
      I don't usually use recipes online but this is the best. I was in a pinch and wanted something different. The kids loved this with canned crab meat from the grocery store and homemade pasta fettuccine noodles I made at home. What.a great meal. They claimed I needed to make this more often. I have made it again, only doubled. Tat worked out fabulous so I have written down the recipe for my home. Thank you!

      Reply
    7. Stella says

      November 26, 2021 at 12:50 pm

      Flavor was good! I did find that 2 tbsp of thickener was too much though, so I added more liquid.

      Reply
    8. Denise McCarthy says

      June 15, 2021 at 6:32 pm

      5 stars
      Made today as I needed a small amount of alfredo to top some beef manicotti. So easy & delicious! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    9. SB says

      September 16, 2020 at 3:36 am

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for posting this recipe. The sauce tastes amazing - just like restaurant Alfredo. I plan to make chicken Alfredo calzones - pretty sure they'll be a big hit! Looking forward to checking out your other recipes 🙂

      Reply
      • Anna says

        September 25, 2020 at 12:22 pm

        That's fantastic! I am so glad it was a hit!

        Reply
    10. Rhonda says

      April 15, 2020 at 5:10 pm

      This is easy and very delicious! I recommend this sauce.
      I did add onion powder and 1 oz. of cream cheese and salad shrimp to go with Farfalle pasta.
      Next time I would try adding small bacon pieces or mushrooms peices and cut in half spinch leaves.

      Reply
      • Anna says

        April 16, 2020 at 4:35 pm

        Thank you so much, Rhonda! I am so glad you like the sauce. I love the idea of adding bacon and veggies!

        Reply
    11. Julie says

      March 22, 2020 at 11:33 am

      Hi. At the beginning of the article you say it can be stored in a jar with a lid for up to six days and then at the end of the recipe you say only three days. Which one is it? I’m hoping it’s the 6 days!

      Reply
    12. Maureen says

      June 15, 2018 at 2:08 pm

      5 stars
      AMAZING- this is sooooo good!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        June 18, 2018 at 4:53 pm

        Thank you so much, Maureen! 😀

        Reply
    13. Katie says

      November 29, 2017 at 5:56 pm

      5 stars
      AMAZING. Made this tonight and it was so creamy and delicious. I added onion to the garlic. Better than restaurant alfredo for sure!

      Reply
    14. Ashley says

      February 26, 2017 at 10:02 pm

      Do you happen to know how many net carbs this recipe has?

      Reply
      • Nan says

        February 25, 2018 at 2:43 pm

        Why is the fridge life only 3 days? It sounds and looks delicious. Will try making less quantity.

        Reply
    15. Crystal says

      November 02, 2016 at 9:56 pm

      I too am curious about canning it.

      Reply
    16. Kevin Posnikoff says

      October 08, 2016 at 1:28 pm

      Have you tried making your sauces in bulk and canning them? This recipe looks great and would like to can a bunch.

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        October 08, 2016 at 11:28 pm

        Hi Kevin! I have not tried canning this sauce. So sorry I am no help! I am not good at canning at all. I hope you will get a chance to try this recipe. If so, please let me know how you like it! Have a wonderful day! -Anna

        Reply
    17. Johnna says

      September 21, 2016 at 6:16 pm

      This looks so very creamy! I usually order alfredo sauce out, but will now try it at home!

      Reply
    18. Megan says

      September 21, 2016 at 3:49 am

      Homemade recipe is the best!

      Reply
    19. Laura says

      September 05, 2016 at 8:49 am

      It looks like you have perfected this recipe! It looks amazing!

      Reply
    20. Jessica says

      September 02, 2016 at 8:43 am

      We love alfredo sauce here! I actually made one from scratch this week and used bacon grease instead of butter and chopped up the crispy bacon and tossed it in with the alfredo sauce and chicken. Your sauce looks so thick and creamy and delicious!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        September 04, 2016 at 10:27 am

        YES! I do that too when I make bacon and ham Alfredo! Crazy good! 😀

        Reply
    21. yummy mummy says

      September 01, 2016 at 3:15 pm

      I bet this is so much better than store bought! Thanks for the idea - I always forget about Alfredo sauce!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        September 04, 2016 at 10:27 am

        Thanks so much, Marina!

        Reply
    22. Des says

      August 30, 2016 at 3:09 pm

      Creamy sauce perfection! One of my absolute favorites!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        September 04, 2016 at 10:27 am

        Thanks, Des!

        Reply
    23. Jen @ The Weary Chef says

      August 30, 2016 at 2:34 pm

      This sauce looks so creamy! Definitely making this!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        September 04, 2016 at 10:28 am

        Thank you, Jen! Let me know how you like it!

        Reply
    24. Justine says

      August 30, 2016 at 12:18 pm

      Homemade alfredo sauce is SOOOO much better than the store-bought stuff, but I've only ever made it one time! Definitely saving this recipe!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        September 04, 2016 at 10:28 am

        You will love it, Justine!

        Reply
    25. Debra A Attinella says

      August 30, 2016 at 8:21 am

      I think you have perfected this sauce - it looks so creamy!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        September 04, 2016 at 10:28 am

        Thanks so much, Debra!

        Reply
    26. Kimberly says

      August 29, 2016 at 10:56 pm

      Alfredo is one of the best sauces EVER! Love this quick and easy version!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        September 04, 2016 at 10:29 am

        Right? Crazy good! 😀

        Reply
    27. Sand says

      August 29, 2016 at 8:53 pm

      This alfredo sauce looks incredible. I love how easy you make it sound to make.

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        September 04, 2016 at 10:29 am

        Thank you, Sandi!

        Reply
    28. Cookin Canuck says

      August 29, 2016 at 8:05 pm

      Homemade Alfredo sauce beats the store-bought version any day of the week. The ultimate comfort food!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        September 04, 2016 at 10:29 am

        Absolutely! Thank you, Dara!

        Reply

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