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The Easiest Alfredo Sauce

You likely have the ingredients for this Simple Alfredo Sauce recipe on hand already! Ready in about 10 minutes and can easily be adjusted to serve more or less.

bowl of pasta tossed with simple alfredo sauce

You can pretty much guarantee that if Fettuccine Alfredo is on the menu, that’s what I am ordering.  I know, I’m a boring “foodie”, but my love for this stuff runs deep.  It’s delicious with pasta obviously, but I’ve also made pizza with it.

Sometimes the best ideas are born from necessity.  In my organizing frenzy last month I made it my mission to clean out the pantry and refrigerator.  This simple Alfredo sauce recipe is a result of that… half a bag of pasta with a little leftover cheese, cream, garlic and voila! 

I debated over calling this mac and cheese or Alfredo.  The first time I threw it together I didn’t use any Parmesan and had more of a white sauce mac and cheese in mind.  The second time I added just a small amount of Parmesan and instantly loved the richer flavor.

This is such an easy alfredo sauce recipe, and you probably already have the ingredients in your fridge/pantry right now.  It comes together in the time it takes for you to boil your pasta, and can easily be adjusted to serve more or less.  Trust me, after making your own you will never reach for the boxed stuff again. 

Next mission: homemade fresh pasta!

What’s in This Simple Alfredo Sauce? 

The beauty of this quick Alfredo sauce recipe is that it requires no special ingredients. It’s an Alfredo sauce with heavy cream and a healthy dose of cheese — so delicious! 

Here’s what you’ll need to make a classic Alfredo sauce in a jiffy: 

  • Garlic
  • All-purpose flour
  • Butter
  • Heavy cream
  • Cabot white sharp cheddar cheese
  • Parmesan
  • Whole milk
  • Salt and pepper
  • Red pepper flakes (optional) 
simple alfredo sauce pasta in white bowl

How to Make Homemade Alfredo Sauce

  1. First, make a roux. To do so, simply cook the butter and flour in a saucepan, stirring constantly. 
  2. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant. 
  3. Slowly pour in the cream, stirring the whole time. 
  4. Add both kinds of cheese. 
  5. Add milk as needed to smooth out the consistency of the simple Alfredo sauce. 
  6. Season with salt and pepper. 
  7. Combine the quick Alfredo sauce with cooked pasta and garnish with red pepper flakes. 

How Long Does Alfredo Sauce Last? 

If you wind up with leftovers of this simple Alfredo sauce, store it in the fridge in an airtight container. It should last up to 5 days if stored properly. 

Can You Freeze Alfredo Sauce? 

Yes, this easy Alfredo sauce can be frozen. Note that Alfredo sauce will become clumpy once frozen since there’s so much dairy in it. When reheating the sauce, keep stirring it to remove the clumps. You may need to add a splash of milk as well. 

Tips for Making Simple Alfredo Sauce

The key to making a creamy, smooth Alfredo sauce is to keep stirring it. A whisk is best for this recipe. Classic Alfredo sauce is easy to make, but it does require some babysitting! 

If your Alfredo sauce looks a little runny, let it cook a little longer on the stovetop (whisking constantly, of course). 

If your Alfredo sauce is too thick, add a splash of whole milk to thin it out. Add the milk a little at a time until your desired consistency is reached. 

More Easy Pasta Recipes: 

Simple Alfredo Sauce

5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 265kcal
Author: Emily Grace

Ingredients

  • 2-3 garlic cloves , minced
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 4 oz Cabot White Sharp Cheddar , grated
  • 1-2 tbsp Parmesan , grated
  • 1/4-1/2 cup whole milk
  • Salt and Pepper , to taste
  • Red Pepper Flakes (optional)

Instructions

  • Boil the water and add your noodles as directed on the package.
  • Add the flour and butter to a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
  • Stir constantly and do not burn this mixture.
  • Once you have made a roux (paste), add the garlic.
  • Allow to cook 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • Gradually add the cream to this while stirring to keep the paste consistency.
  • Add in the cheddar and Parmesan.
  • Slowly add milk as needed to return to a smooth sauce consistency.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Combine the sauce with the cooked pasta and add red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

I made this using 6oz (half bag) of medium shell pasta (cooked in 3 qts water, 2 tsp salt, for 10-12 minutes). Double the recipe if using a full bag.

Nutrition

Calories: 265kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 239mg | Potassium: 70mg | Vitamin A: 835IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 259mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Did you make this recipe? Mention @GraceGoodEats or tag #graceandgoodeats!
Recipe Rating




Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life

Thursday 27th of February 2014

This looks awesome! I'm definitely pinning it! I know my family will love it!

Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life

Thursday 27th of February 2014

By the way, congratulations also on your feature on Roubinek Reality...that's how I found you!

Katie Adams

Saturday 22nd of February 2014

Thanks for linking to Create Link Inspire at The Crafty Blog Stalker. You have been featured and pinned! Thank you for sharing. --Katie, TheCraftyBlogStalker.com

Blair @ The Seasoned Mom

Friday 21st of February 2014

Looks delicious, and I know my kids will love it. Thanks for sharing!

Trish - Mom On Timeout

Tuesday 18th of February 2014

This looks amazing Emily! Pinned and shared on FB!

Emily Bruno

Tuesday 18th of February 2014

Thanks Trish!

Lindsay

Monday 17th of February 2014

This looks wonderful. And easy enough to put together when I'm in a hurry. Thanks so much for sharing!

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