Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe

overhead view of fettuccini alfredo in a white dutch oven with tongs.

4.76 from 214 votes

This homemade Alfredo sauce is rich, creamy, and ready in just 15 minutes. It’s an easy, flavorful upgrade from jarred sauce and perfect for tossing with fettuccine, spaghetti, penne, and more.

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Total Time15

Course: Main Course, Sauce

Cuisine: American, Italian

Servings: servings (2 cups total)

Author: Becky Hardin

Ingredients

6 tbsp unsalted butter (¾ stick) If it has salt in it, the sauce may taste a bit too salty
1 clove garlic minced
1½ cups heavy cream room temperature
6.4 oz. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
kosher salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
minced fresh thyme optional*

Instructions

For the Alfredo Sauce

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan set over medium heat.
6 tbsp unsalted butter
Add the garlic and cook until lightly browned and fragrant.
1 clove garlic
Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool for 3-5 minutes.
Pour in the room temperature heavy cream. Whisk until combined.
1½ cups heavy cream
Once the cream is fully combined, place the pan back on the stove over low heat. Do not let the sauce come to a boil - keep it over low heat.
Add the grated cheese and continually whisk the sauce together until the cheese is completely melted and evenly combined.
6.4 oz. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Taste and season with salt, pepper, and thyme.
kosher salt, ground black pepper, minced fresh thyme

To Make Fettuccini Alfredo

Bring water in a large pot to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon of salt.
Once the water is boiling, cook 16 ounces of fettuccine noodles to al dente according to package instructions.
Drain, reserving ½ cup of the pasta cooking water.
Mix the pasta with the sauce, adding cooking water as needed to reach the desired consistency. Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

*Fresh thyme is an optional ingredient that adds even more flavor to this sauce. However, you don’t need it. If you can’t find it, don’t worry about adding it because the sauce will still taste amazing.

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