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a skillet with fettuccine alfredo and serving tongs
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4.98 from 45 votes

Quick and Easy Alfredo Sauce

This easy Alfredo sauce recipe uses simple ingredients and takes only 15 minutes to make! It's rich, creamy, and has that restaurant-quality taste you're craving.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian American
Keyword: Alfredo sauce with cream cheese, homemade Alfredo sauce, how to make Alfredo sauce
Servings: 4
Author: Natasha Bull

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces uncooked fettuccine
  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
  • 2 large cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Boil a salted pot of water for the fettuccine. Cook it al dente according to package instructions.
  • Microwave the cream cheese in 20-30 second intervals until it's very soft.
  • Meanwhile, add the butter, cream cheese, cream, and garlic to a skillet over medium heat. Once the butter has melted and the pan has heated up, use your spoon to help the cream cheese melt into the sauce, or use a whisk.
  • Once the cream cheese has been incorporated into the sauce, let it gently bubble for 3-4 minutes or until the sauce has reduced a bit. Stir occasionally.
  • Stir the parmesan into the sauce, and let it melt in (about 30 seconds), then take it off the heat. The sauce should be thick enough by now, but if you want to reduce it more, let it cook for a bit longer. Keep in mind the sauce will thicken more as it cools/sits. Add a splash of the hot pasta water prior to draining the pasta if it gets too thick. Toss with the drained pasta and season with salt & pepper as needed.

Notes

  • Note on serving size: This makes about 1.5 cups sauce. Serves 6+ if you don't mix it with pasta (e.g. you just use it as a sauce over chicken/fish/veggies). With the suggested 8 oz. of pasta it serves 4 people. Double the recipe if you want to fill a large jar and use it for multiple meals.
  • Alfredo sauce can separate if it's heated too hot/for too much time, so be mindful of that. 

Nutrition

Calories: 677kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 28g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 180mg | Sodium: 600mg | Potassium: 286mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1682IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 312mg | Iron: 1mg
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