Description
This Easy Homemade Alfredo Sauce recipe delivers a creamy, rich, and flavorful sauce perfect for drizzling over your favorite pasta. Made with simple ingredients like cream cheese, milk, garlic, and freshly grated Parmesan, this sauce is quick to prepare on the stovetop and can be customized with extra seasoning and cheese to suit your taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Alfredo Sauce
- 1 8 oz. block cream cheese (do not use reduced fat/less fat)
- 4 cups milk (2%, whole, or 1% works best)
- 4 heaping tablespoons flour
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons kosher or coarse salt (do not use table salt)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced, or about 2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
- 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese (see notes)
For Serving
- Pasta of your choice, cooked according to package instructions
Instructions
- Prepare Milk Mixture: In a small bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the milk, flour, kosher salt, and garlic powder until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.
- Melt Butter and Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and whisk continuously until the butter is fully melted and the garlic becomes fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Combine Milk Mixture with Butter: Slowly pour the prepared milk mixture into the melted butter while whisking continuously. Continue whisking until the sauce starts to thicken and becomes smooth.
- Add Cream Cheese: Cut the cream cheese into smaller pieces and add into the warm milk mixture. Whisk continuously until the cream cheese has completely melted and the sauce is smooth and velvety.
- Incorporate Parmesan Cheese: Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce and whisk until it is fully melted and incorporated. At this point, taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, garlic powder, or a dash of pepper if desired.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Immediately pour the Alfredo sauce over your cooked pasta, toss gently to coat, and serve warm.
Notes
- Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese is recommended for the best flavor and smooth melting texture; pre-grated cheese may not melt as well.
- Do not use reduced-fat cream cheese or milk, as this will affect the richness and consistency of the sauce.
- Kosher or coarse salt is preferred to avoid over-salting; table salt dissolves differently and can be too strong.
- The sauce thickens as it cooks, so whisk continuously to prevent lumps or burning.
- This sauce is best served immediately but can be gently reheated on low heat with additional milk to adjust consistency.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Alfredo sauce, homemade Alfredo sauce, creamy pasta sauce, easy Alfredo recipe, Italian sauce recipe, cream cheese Alfredo
