Description
Silky, indulgent, and incredibly easy to make, this Rich and Creamy Homemade Alfredo Sauce is a quick dinner hero. Perfect for busy nights or elegant entertaining, this easy recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor in just 20 minutes. It’s one of the best easy dinner ideas, made with heavy cream, butter, garlic, and freshly grated Parmesan—ideal for creamy pasta cravings, quick lunch fixes, or when you’re looking for comfort food ideas that never fail. Whether you’re searching for a quick weeknight meal, healthy snack alternatives (when paired with veggies), or crowd-pleasing food ideas, this Alfredo sauce is the answer.
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 cups heavy cream
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 ounces fettuccine or pasta of choice, cooked
Instructions
1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Slowly pour in the heavy cream, whisking continuously.
4. Let the mixture simmer gently for 4–5 minutes, avoiding a boil.
5. Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in the Parmesan cheese in small batches until melted and smooth.
6. Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
7. Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce, using tongs to coat evenly.
8. If the sauce thickens too much, add a little pasta water to loosen it.
9. Serve immediately and garnish with extra cheese or herbs if desired.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melt and flavor—avoid pre-shredded cheese.
If reheating leftovers, do so gently over low heat with added cream or milk to revive texture.
Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or sautéed vegetables to turn this sauce into a full meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 24g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: quick dinner, easy recipe, creamy pasta, Alfredo sauce, comfort food, dinner ideas, food ideas, healthy snack, breakfast ideas