The Best Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe

This Alfredo sauce is not like the others! This homemade Alfredo sauce recipe is unique and totally amazing! You’ll never use another Alfredo sauce recipe again!

Everyone needs an Alfredo sauce recipe for their mental recipe box, and this one is perfect. Whether you’re making a classic dish or experimenting in the kitchen, my Alfredo sauce will give your food unbeatable flavor that’s made in a matter of minutes. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll love this recipe because it uses ingredients you keep on hand, can be whipped up any night of the week, and is full of flavor. It’s the perfect balance of simple and delicious.

Ingredients Required To Make Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe

• Heavy cream
• Parmesan cheese
• Butter
• Chicken stock
• Garlic powder
• Dried thyme leaves
• Salt 
• Pepper

How to Make Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe

1. Start by melting a stick of butter in a skillet on medium heat. This should only take a couple of minutes.
2. Next, add your heavy cream. Mix it in with the butter and cook until the mixture starts to bubble, about five minutes.
3. Add chicken stock and stir, then add your seasonings. Mix until well combined.
4. Add your parmesan cheese, and stir until it has melted and the entire sauce is well combined.
5. Serve and enjoy!

What to Serve with Alfredo Sauce

Alfredo sauce can be used for dozens of different recipes. Here are some of my favorites:

• Fettuccine Alfredo – Perhaps the most common use for Alfredo sauce, fettuccine Alfredo is a delicious pasta dish that can be doctored up in many delicious ways. You can add chicken or shrimp. You can add broccoli, peas, or green bell peppers. You can top it with freshly chopped parsley and freshly grated parmesan cheese for a tasty and easy meal. The options are endless.
• Pizza – I love to use Alfredo sauce in lieu of marinara sauce on some pizzas. Whether I’m making a chicken Alfredo pizza, or just making a classic pepperoni and cheese with white sauce, I like to use this recipe.
• Zucchini noodles – If I want Alfredo pasta but I’m looking for a lighter alternative, I use zucchini noodles instead of regular pasta. You can make your own noodles with fresh zucchini and a spiralizer, or you can buy zucchini noodles at the grocery store. Major supermarkets will have them, likely in fresh and frozen options.
• Steak – I love using this Alfredo sauce on steak. It gives the steak an amazing flavor as the creaminess of the sauce contrasts perfectly with the meatiness of the steak.

Popular Substitutions

• Heavy cream – You can substitute whole milk for heavy cream. This will result in a runnier sauce, so you may want to add more cheese at the end to thicken it up a bit, but it works if you are out of heavy cream.
• Parmesan cheese – Parmesan is a very distinct cheese and has an especially pungent flavor when it is freshly grated. Although the other dairy products in the sauce cut a lot of that pungency, it still may not be what you like. If so, you can use mozzarella or gruyere as a parmesan substitute.
• Butter – You can use shortening or margarine instead of butter.
• Chicken stock – You can use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock, and you can also use chicken or vegetable broth as a substitute, as well. Keep in mind that broth will not be as concentrated as stock, so you may need to add a little more seasoning to have that full body flavor we’re after.

Dairy-Free Alternatives

This recipe is very dairy heavy, so if you are lactose intolerant or vegan, try some of these substitutes:

Heavy cream  

There are non-dairy heavy creams available for purchase. They work, but they do have a very distinct smell that may be off-putting. If the smell bothers you or you’re unable to find non-dairy heavy cream, you can use non-dairy milk instead. 

I suggest using soy or oat milk, but you can use nut milk so long as it is unsweetened.

Parmesan cheese 

You can use non-dairy parmesan cheese. Although these are getting better all the time at mimicking the behavior of cheese, a lot of non-dairy cheeses do not melt well, and for this recipe, it is vital that your cheese melts. If you really want that cheesy hint of flavor, you can use nutritional yeast instead of non-dairy cheese. 

If you are fine leaving the parmesan out and just want to thicken the dish, you could use a cornstarch or flour slurry. Just be sure to increase your seasoning amounts so that you still get that same delicious flavor.

Butter 

Use vegetable shortening instead of butter.

Chicken stock

Use vegetable stock or broth, but keep in mind the same notes on broth as mentioned earlier.

Food Safety

• Do not let food sit out for more than two hours.
• Never leave a hot stove top unattended.

FAQs

How do I store this recipe?

If you have leftover sauce, store it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator. It should last three or four days after you’ve made it.

Can I freeze Alfredo sauce?

Yes, you can freeze Alfredo sauce. I suggest freezing it in smaller portions so that you are able to only thaw what you need.

Can this recipe be made in advance?

Yes, this recipe can be made in advance. However, it does need to be stored in the refrigerator so that it doesn’t go bad, so make sure that you plan accordingly.

How do I reheat Alfredo sauce?

Because of the dairy in this recipe, Alfredo sauce can separate when reheating, so you need to be cautious when doing so. The best way to reheat this is on the stovetop over low to medium heat. Let it simmer a little bit and thoroughly mix the ingredients again.

Other Recipes You’ll Love

• Try my Cajun Chicken and Shrimp with Creamy Cajun Sauce for a surf and turf with a little spice. 
• If you want something flavorful but simple, like my Alfredo sauce, try my Easy Chicken Tikka Masala recipe. It’s delicious over rice, and you can easily add peppers and onions for extra nutrients. 
• Salmon doesn’t just have to be served as a filet, and this Salmon Melt Sandwich recipe proves that. You can toss this together for an easy weekend meal, or take it with you to work for lunch. 

If you make any changes to my Alfredo sauce, let me know in the comments!

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