Easy Homemade Alfredo Sauce

Elevate your weeknight pasta dinner with some Homemade Alfredo Sauce! This creamy, mouthwatering pan made sauce is perfect for tossing with your favorite pasta. Rich with butter and cream and flavorful with lemon, parmesan, and more, you’ll never buy a jar of alfredo sauce again!

We’re all guilty of cracking open a jar of store-bought pasta sauce after a long day. Trust me, I get how easy it is to just warm up a jar of Alfredo sauce! However, not a single brand of store-bought sauce can compare to the real deal. Homemade alfredo sauce is creamier and more flavorful than anything from a grocery store shelf, and it’s SO easy to make, too!

While homemade alfredo sauce may require a few more steps than warming up a store-bought jar, it’s well worth the little extra effort. Not only does this sauce taste incredible, it’s also not loaded with any artificial preservatives or flavors like so many of the jars from the store. It’s made with simple, real ingredients that make this sauce authentically delicious. You can taste the fresh lemon and grated parmesan in each bite.

I feel like every home chef should be able to master this real Alfredo sauce recipe. It seriously elevates pasta night and is one of my favorite sauces! Even after the longest of days, making this quick and easy alfredo sauce is a great way to have a homemade fettuccine Alfredo or Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo that you’ll love on the table in no time. It’s inexpensive, fast, delicious, and oh so creamy! If there’s any left on your plate, you’ll practically be licking the plate. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Simple Ingredients You Will Need

While this recipe is not a truly authentic Italian Alfredo sauce, it’s even more decadent and richly flavored than the original. And it all can be made with just a few simple ingredients you already have in your kitchen.

• Butter – One of the key ingredients for Alfredo sauce is butter. I like to use salted butter because I always have it on hand. You can substitute with unsalted butter if you prefer just check for seasoning when the sauce is done cooking and sprinkle with salt, as needed.
• Cream – I use a combination of heavy cream and Half and Half to keep the consistency just thick enough to coat the pasta but not so thick it becomes grainy. You can use heavy whipping cream, if you desire.
• Lemon – Lemon juice and lemon zest add brightness to the sauce balancing out the richness of the sauce. Don’t skip it.
• Cheese – Freshly grated parmesan cheese is traditional in Alfredo sauce. Be sure it’s freshly grated and not pre-shredded cheese. You can also add pecorino Romano cheese for a sharper flavor.
• Seasonings – I season simply with ground nutmeg, kosher salt and black pepper. You can add Italian seasoning and garlic powder for a more pronounced flavor.

For the full ingredient list and instructions, see the recipe card below.

How to Make Alfredo Sauce

You won’t believe how easy this sauce is to make! Like I said, once you whip alfredo sauce up one time, you’ll never go back to the jarred stuff again.

1. Melt the butter. In a large saucepan, melt the stick of butter over medium heat.
2. Whisk the cream. Whisk in the cream and half and half into the melted butter. Turn the heat to low and heat to a simmer.
3. Make it zesty. Remove the cream mixture from the heat. Whisk in the lemon juice and zest.
4. Make it cheesy! Stir in the grated cheese 1 cup at a time, stirring until smooth until the desired consistency. 
5. Add the seasoning. Stir in the nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

This sauce recipe makes enough to serve with a pound of pasta.

Recipes Using Alfredo Sauce

• Baked Spaghetti Squash Alfredo
• Shrimp Alfredo
• Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

Storage and Reheating

If you’re making this alfredo sauce ahead of time, you’re in luck! Leftover Alfredo sauce holds up fabulously in the fridge. Just be sure to let it cool completely to room temperature first, then place it in an airtight container like a jar. Properly stored, this sauce will stay fresh for up to 3 days.

If you do plan on making this sauce ahead of time, make sure you reheat it back in the pan – not the microwave! The microwave will zap the life right out of homemade alfredo sauce. Warm the chilled sauce in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently, until heated through. Then just toss your pasta in it, and enjoy!

Can alfredo sauce be frozen?

As nice as it may be to have a jar of alfredo sauce ready to go in the freezer, I sadly don’t recommend freezing it. The amount of heavy cream and half and half that make up the majority of this homemade alfredo sauce recipe won’t hold up well once frozen. Luckily, this sauce comes together quickly, so it’s perfect for making in a cinch!

Cooking Tips

• Use FRESH ingredients to ensure this is the best homemade Alfredo sauce! Fresh lemon juice/zest and freshly grated parmesan cheese make a world of difference. You can really taste the delicious fresh flavor when you use real ingredients.
• Whisk and stir often. You don’t want the sauce to burn at the bottom of the pan or separate. Whisking often will reward you with a creamy texture.
• Don’t add too much cheese at one time! Add it little by little until it’s all fully incorporated.
• For a thicker sauce, add 4 ounces of cream cheese at room temperature to the sauce at the end of cooking and stir until smooth.

More Easy Pasta Sauce Recipes

• Instant Pot Bolognese Sauce
• Homemade Vodka Sauce
• Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
• Easy Red Clam Sauce
• Spicy Arrabbiata Sauce
• Roasted Tomato Sauce

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