Description
This creamy and rich Homemade Alfredo Sauce is a classic Italian-American favorite that’s incredibly easy to make at home. With just a handful of simple ingredients — butter, garlic, heavy cream, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese — you can create a luscious sauce perfect for fettuccine, vegetables, or chicken dishes. The sauce is seasoned to taste with kosher salt, black pepper, and an optional hint of fresh thyme for added flavor complexity.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (¾ stick)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1½ cups heavy cream, room temperature
- 6.4 ounces freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- Minced fresh thyme (optional)
Instructions
- Melt Butter and Sauté Garlic: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté gently until fragrant, about 1 minute, making sure not to brown the garlic to keep the flavor delicate.
- Add Heavy Cream and Simmer: Slowly pour in the heavy cream to the melted butter and garlic mixture. Allow it to come to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, and cook for about 5 minutes to let the cream thicken slightly.
- Incorporate Parmesan Cheese: Gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese into the simmering cream mixture. Stir continuously until the cheese fully melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Avoid boiling to prevent the cheese from clumping.
- Season the Sauce: Taste the sauce and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your preference. If desired, stir in minced fresh thyme to add a subtle herbal note to the sauce.
- Serve Immediately: Remove the sauce from heat and serve it warm over your favorite pasta, vegetables, or proteins. Alfredo sauce is best enjoyed fresh but can be kept warm over low heat for a short time.
Notes
- Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the sauce.
- If heavy cream is not available, substitute with a mix of whole milk and full-fat butter for a similar texture.
- Do not allow the sauce to boil vigorously to avoid curdling or separating.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is crucial for a smooth and flavorful sauce; pre-grated cheese may not melt as well.
- The sauce can be garnished with fresh parsley or additional Parmesan if desired.
