This homemade creamy Alfredo sauce is better than anything I've had in a restaurant. With just 3 simple ingredients and 10 minutes you can have the ultimate Alfredo sauce!
Fettuccine Alfredo is my family's very favorite pasta, and once I learned how to make this super easy version of the classic white sauce we don't want it any other way. It's richer, creamier, and more flavorful than any restaurant Alfredo I've ever had. You'll want to eat it on everything!
I love to make pasta Alfredo to impress guests, and they have no idea just how easy it is. Round out the meal with my Easy Tender London Broil in the Oven and your guests will be begging for the recipes!
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Ingredients for Alfredo Sauce
Only 3 ingredients are required for this decadent sauce.
- butter
- heavy whipping cream
- Parmesan wedge - Fresh Parmesan cheese is the key ingredient in this recipe. Pre-grated Parmesan is treated with anti-caking agents that keep it from melting properly and forming a smooth sauce, so always buy a wedge of Parmesan and grate it fresh.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Ultimate Alfredo Sauce
Ultimate Alfredo sauce takes about 10 minutes on the stovetop.
Grate the wedge of Parmesan.
In a saucepan melt the butter over low/medium heat.
Once butter is melted add heavy cream and whisk together. Heat just until the cream starts to bubble. Cream can boil over very quickly, so pay attention and turn off the heat once you see bubbling.
Take the pan off the heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Whisk until cheese is melted and sauce is uniformly creamy. Serve immediately. If you need to hold the sauce while the pasta finishes cooking, keep it on the lowest heat setting on the burner and whisk often, then whisk again vigorously just before serving to keep sauce from separating.
Hint: The longest step is waiting for the cream to start bubbling. Make sure to pay close attention as cream can go from bubbling to boiling over rapidly.
Substitutions
With such a short list of ingredients, there is not a lot of room for substitutions in this recipe. I recommend sticking with the ingredients as written.
Equipment
You will need a medium sauce pan, grater, and whisk.
How to Store Alfredo Sauce
This sauce is best eaten immediately. I have had success storing it in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheating it over low heat on the stove, whisking constantly. The texture will not be as perfectly creamy when reheated, so if you're making this for company I would make it fresh. I would not recommend freezing and reheating Alfredo sauce.
The Secret to Perfect Alfredo Sauce
Fresh Parmesan cheese is what makes this recipe phenomenal. Buy Parmesan in a wedge in the specialty cheese section in the grocery store and grate immediately before using. Pre-grated Parmesan or the stuff in the green can (even though I do love me some green can Parm on buttered noodles) won't work in this recipe. All of the flavor in the sauce comes from the Parmesan cheese, so choose one you love.
How to Plate Fettuccine Noodles
If you are serving this to company or just want to make it extra fancy, try plating the noodles like this:
Use medium kitchen tongs to grab a serving of noodles.
Set the end of the tongs down in the middle of a plate and then twist until the noodles form a little nest. Top with sauce and extra grated Parmesan. Ta-Da! Feels like a fancy restaurant!
FAQ
Alfredo is a classic white sauce made from butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. It is traditionally served over pasta, typically fettuccine noodles.
Alfredo sauce is rich and creamy with a tangy, salty taste from the fresh Parmesan cheese.
My Best Pasta Dishes
Looking for other pasta recipes? Try these:
- Hearty Italian Sausage and Pepperoni Pasta Bake
- Southwest Jalapeno Ranch Pasta Salad with Corn and Cherry Tomatoes
Ultimate Creamy Alfredo Sauce {Only 3 Ingredients!}
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over low/medium heat.
- Add cream and whisk to combine. Continue to heat until cream mixture is just starting to bubble.
- Take pan off heat and stir in Parmesan until combined. Serve immediately.
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