Classic Alfredo Sauce

MAKES: 2 3/4 cups

COOK TIME: 18 Min

Who would have thought a classic could be this easy with butter, heavy cream, black pepper and Parmesan cheese? Yup - four ingredients, one pan, a few minutes, and we're ready for some really good eatin'! This homemade Alfredo sauce recipe is one you'll be able to whip out at a moment's notice, so you and your family can start eatin' good right away! Soon, you'll be finding excuses to have multiple pasta nights a week.

What You'll Need

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
2 cups (1 pint) heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

What to Do

In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat and stir in the cream and pepper. Continue stirring 6 to 8 minutes, or until hot.
Stir in the cheese until thoroughly mixed and cook 3 to 5 minutes, or until thickened, stirring frequently. Serve immediately.

Notes

Toss this with about 1 pound of pasta and top with additional Parmesan cheese. There's a reason Fettuccine Alfredo is a classic, you know - it's the perfect marriage of wide noodles with cream sauce. We can even use spinach-flavored fettuccine to get nice contrast between the green pasta and the white sauce.
For easy Italian recipes you will make again and again, we've compiled this collection of 35 No-Fail Italian Favorites, Plus 7 Classic Sauces you can make at home!
For more fantastic sauce recipes, check out our collection of Homemade Sauce Recipes: 35 Pasta Sauce Recipes, BBQ Sauces, and More.

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ARTIESPIGSCANFLY 2 575575

Mar 27, 2014

could you please tell me if this is grated or granular parmesan cheese? Thanks

Bellerophon

Mar 29, 2014

In my experience, it could be either grated (just preferably not the stuff in the green can at your supermarket), or shredded. I generally keep pre-shredded Parmesan in the fridge, and find that it melts right in, in recipes such as this. Everything else here is pretty neutral in flavor, so it is really the cheese that makes the sauce, and the better the Parm, the better the sauce!

Delasawi 6435640

Aug 26, 2013

My husband has become "famous" for his chicken alfredo at work (using this sauce recipe) on potluck days. We buy a pre cooked chicken for $5 & use a breast for the dish & have leftovers for another meal. This is a no fail recipe!! Thx! (he takes it in a slow cooker to warm up just before lunch time)

meatandtaters

Jul 04, 2013

If it's not Alfredo sauce then why don't you tell us a REAL alfredo sauce recipe?

lora12fanforlife 7 626240

Jan 01, 2013

TASTE was fantastic.. Just would like it to make a lil thicker so would i add less butter or add more parmesian!!!! will never buy store made again thats for sure!!!

grandmaof2

Feb 14, 2012

just made this and it turned out delicious!! i cut the recipe in half and served it with mixed veggies and hot sausage--definately a keeper

gusandgabbyinkentu cky 2138404

Feb 10, 2011

I leave out the parmesan cheese and substitute velveeta and dozen of hard boiled eggs and then serve it on toast..yummy

baychel3 8694548

Jun 18, 2013

You have a cheese sauce -- definitely not Alfredo, but your cheese sauce sounds wonderful as well!