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Easy 15-Minute Homemade Alfredo Sauce

Close-up of fettuccine pasta coated in rich homemade alfredo sauce and topped with cracked black pepper.

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Make rich, creamy homemade Alfredo sauce from scratch in just 15 minutes using simple ingredients. This recipe focuses on the classic butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan base for a perfect pasta topping.

Ingredients

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  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. If using garlic, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  2. Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low.
  3. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and fully incorporated.
  4. Stir in the salt and pepper. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed.
  5. Toss immediately with your favorite cooked pasta, like fettuccine, or use as a topping for chicken or vegetables.

Notes

  • For the creamiest result, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese, not pre-shredded.
  • If the sauce thickens too much while sitting, whisk in a tablespoon of warm milk or pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
  • This recipe makes a classic, rich sauce. For a variation, you can substitute 2 ounces of cream cheese with 1/4 cup of the heavy cream.

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