You have to try this easy, Homemade Alfredo Sauce with Garlic! It’s got a creamy, velvety texture and huge flavor from Parmesan and Romano. Try it over pasta, chicken or zoodles! Gluten free.
A few months ago, a reader asked if I have an Alfredo sauce recipe. I told her I didn’t but would add it to my list.
It kind of fell to the back burner, though, as I got busy with the holidays, work and a ridiculous number of medical appointments (mostly for my back).
Then, my son recently told me he uses jarred Alfredo sauce.
GASP! It’s processed! I lectured him about all the sodium and Lord-knows-what-else in there.
“Well, you don’t have homemade Alfredo sauce on your blog!” he retorted.
That was all it took.
I might be a food blogger, editor, writer and 20 other things. But mothering is my first order of business.
When my kids need me, I’ll drop everything. Especially since they don’t live at home anymore. (Tito, get me a tissue!)
Well, look what Mamma’s got now. I texted my son this Alfredo sauce recipe as soon as I nailed it.
And today, I’m sharing that motherly love with you. My homemade Alfredo sauce is so much better than store-bought.
It’s definitely rich, but there are just five simple ingredients, plus salt and pepper. I’m talking cream, a touch of butter, a little pressed garlic (affiliate link), and equal parts Parmesan and Romano cheeses for the best flavor and a creamy, velvety texture.
That texture.is.everything. And the sauce is gluten free.
I tried many times using half and half instead of cream in this recipe. The flavor was good, but the texture was lacking.
So, I finally bit the bullet and went for the cream. My hubby and I inhaled our fettuccine Alfredo.
Then, we ate diet food for the rest of the day. It was worth it!
Serve this homemade Alfredo sauce over
- pasta
- zucchini noodles (zoodles)
- pizza
- chicken.
It’s delicious with spinach mixed in too.
Enjoy!
P.S. If you love cheesy pasta dishes, check out my Linguine with Creamy Walnut Sauce, Italian Mac and Cheese or Pasta with Pecorino and Pepper (Cacio e Pepe).
(Recipe Source: Cooking with Mamma C)
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 large garlic cloves
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for serving
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Romano cheese
Melt your butter in a 2-quart sauce pan over medium-high heat. Press your garlic and add it to the melted butter, stirring a bit. Let it cook for 30 seconds, being careful not to let the garlic burn.
- Lower the heat to medium and stir the cream into your garlic mixture. Add your salt and pepper and stir to combine.
- Let the cream come to a low boil, while stirring frequently.
- Then lower the heat and let the pot simmer, stirring frequently, for 8-10 minutes, or until the cream thickens. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Turn off the heat and move your Alfredo pot to a cool burner. Gradually stir in your fresh Parmesan and Romano.
- Place the pot over low heat and stir until the sauce is thickened further. It is done when you push your spoon along the bottom of the pan and can see the bottom of the pan. It will take a few minutes.
- The sauce will thicken even more as it sits.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to four days.
It's important to use freshly grated Parmesan and Romano, so the cheese will melt smoothly. (Don't use the cheese sold in a can, or the sauce will be grainy.)
This sauce makes enough for one pound of pasta. You can easily cut the sauce recipe in half for 8 ounces of pasta. Note that your sauce will take less time to come to a boil and thicken.
To reheat leftover Alfredo pasta, drizzle on a little olive oil before microwaving it, so the pasta isn't dry.
deb says
I use all your ingredients PLUS half and half and cream cheese…we call it “heart attack on a plate” but eating it a few times a year it’s a treat!
Mamma C says
I just gained a pound reading your comment, Deb!
Mimi says
Wonderful. I just can’t even force myself to buy products like Ragu or BBQ sauces. Ugh. I don’t care about the extra work – it’s so worth it. A lovely recipe. The first alfredo sauce I made was from Foods of the World series and it was simply 1 part butter, 1 part cream, and 1 part Parmesan. Delicious. Yours is a bit lighter!
Mamma C says
I promised myself I wouldn’t use more than two tablespoons of butter in this, since I was going with the cream. I’m glad you like this recipe, Mimi!
Jeanette says
Perfect dish for a pasta lover as me 🙂
Mamma C says
Pasta is my life! Thanks for stopping by, Jeanette.
Roxana says
I love fettucini alfredo and this looks so yum, authentic and easy.
Mamma C says
There’s so much flavor here. Thanks, Roxana!
Linda says
I absolutely adore alfredo sauce and when I go to a nice Italian restaurant it is usually what I order. I’ve never tried making it at home but now you’ve got me drooling after reading your recipe. I love that you didn’t stint on the ingredients and used real cream and butter. And, of course, I love the addition of garlic.
Do you think if I served it over zoodles and ate salads for the rest of the week, I could have seconds? lol
Mamma C says
You can definitely have seconds, in that case! You should try making this, Linda.
Danielle says
I sure do love a good homemade alfredo sauce. This sounds delicious!
Mamma C says
It really is! Thanks, Danielle.
Sharon says
Thank you for sharing this delicious Alfredo sauce with us too! Nothing like a big bowl of pasta with this classic creamy sauce.
Mamma C says
It’s so good! Thanks, Sharon.
Veena Azmanov says
This recipe looks incredible! I want to try it for dinner! This sauce is perfect for me and my family. Thanks for the great recipe!
Mamma C says
I hope your family loves this! Thanks, Veena!