Description
This Easy Homemade Alfredo Sauce recipe delivers a rich, creamy, and flavorful Italian classic made from simple ingredients like butter, heavy cream, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Perfect for drizzling over pasta or enhancing your favorite dishes, this sauce is quick to prepare and brings a luscious indulgence to your meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of ground nutmeg (optional)
Garnish
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Melt Butter and Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, making sure not to let it brown to avoid bitterness.
- Add Heavy Cream and Simmer: Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to allow it to combine and slightly thicken.
- Incorporate Parmesan Cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Gradually whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it melts completely and forms a smooth sauce without lumps.
- Season the Sauce: Add salt, black pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg if using. Stir well to blend all flavors evenly into the sauce.
- Thicken Sauce: Continue cooking on low heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning, until the sauce thickens slightly to your desired consistency.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove the sauce from heat and serve immediately over your favorite cooked pasta. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired for a fresh pop of color and flavor.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-shredded to ensure a creamy, smooth sauce texture.
- You can customize the sauce by adding cooked chicken, shrimp, or steamed vegetables to create a complete meal.
- Keep the sauce warm on low heat but avoid boiling it after cheese is added to prevent curdling.
- For a lighter version, you may substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of sauce recipe (about 1/2 cup)
- Calories: 440
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 26g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
