Homemade Alfredo Sauce

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Cook: 20 min.

Makes

6 servings

Updated: Nov. 29, 2023
When I found out I had celiac disease and could no longer have fettuccine Alfredo, I was determined to figure out a way to re-create it. This has now become one of my most-requested dishes. I use gluten-free multigrain pasta, but you can use any style of pasta. —Jackie Charlesworth Stiff, Frederick, Colorado

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped shallots
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1-1/4 cups shredded Asiago cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 3/4 cup grated Romano cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 package (12 ounces) fettuccine

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan, heat butter over medium heat. Add shallots; cook and stir until tender, 2-3 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add cream; cook and stir until heated through. Stir in Asiago cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, Romano cheese, salt and pepper; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until thickened, about 10 minutes, whisking occasionally.
  2. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water. Place pasta in a large bowl. Add sauce; toss to coat. Thin as desired with reserved pasta water. Serve with the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.
Homemade Alfredo Sauce Tips

Can you use milk instead of cream for Alfredo sauce?

Yes, you can use milk instead of cream! After the garlic has been added to the saucepan, stir in 1/4 cup flour. Stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes until the flour is well incorporated. Slowly whisk in 2 cups milk, stirring constantly until the mixture is smooth and heated through.

Is heavy whipping cream the same as heavy cream?

Although they are very similar, whipping cream and heavy cream have a slight difference. Heavy cream has at least a 36% milk fat content, while heavy whipping cream has 30 to 35% milk fat.

How do you thicken Alfredo sauce?

When making this homemade pasta sauce, it is usually thickened during the cooking process by the heavy cream and cheese. Allowing the cream to come to a boil allows the water content to evaporate, leaving a thicker mixture. If it is a thinner Alfredo and needs additional thickening, try adding a roux. A roux is made by melting butter in a saucepan, adding equal parts of flour and cooking and stirring constantly for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the roux to the hot Alfredo sauce and whisk over medium heat until thickened. These other thickening agents work well, too.

What else can you add to Alfredo sauce?

Try folding in some fresh spinach at the end of the cooking process for some added greens and nutrition, or a handful of fresh chopped basil for additional flavor. Drained and chopped tomatoes or sautéed mushrooms work well, too.

What can you serve with homemade Alfredo sauce?

Don't limit yourself by just enjoying homemade Alfredo sauce with pastas. Serve it ladled over chicken, or swapped in place of red sauce to make Alfredo pizza. You can even use it to make a creamy chicken gnocchi pesto soup! For more inspiration, check out other recipes with Alfredo sauce.

How long will homemade Alfredo sauce last?

Homemade Alfredo sauce should last 1 to 2 days in an airtight container stored in the fridge. If you'd like to your sauce to last longer than that, keep it in the freezer in a freezer-safe bag or container.

—Julie Schnittka, Taste of Home Senior Editor, and Sammi DiVito, Taste of Home Assistant Editor

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 732 calories, 50g fat (31g saturated fat), 153mg cholesterol, 710mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein.