Description

This Easy Homemade Alfredo Sauce recipe is a creamy, rich sauce perfect for drizzling over your favorite pasta. Made with cream cheese, milk, butter, garlic, and Parmesan, this sauce comes together quickly on the stovetop and delivers classic Italian flavors with a smooth, velvety texture. It’s customizable with seasoning adjustments and perfect for a comforting weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Alfredo Sauce Ingredients

1 8 oz. block cream cheese – do not use reduced fat/less fat
4 cups milk – 2%, whole or 1% works best
4 heaping tbsp flour
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp kosher/coarse salt (*do not use table salt)
2 tbsp butter
4 garlic cloves minced, or about 2 tsp bottled minced garlic
1 1/2 cups parmesan cheese, freshly grated

To Serve

Pasta, of your choice, cooked

Instructions

Prepare Milk Mixture: In a small bowl or large measuring cup, combine the milk, flour, kosher salt, and garlic powder. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is smooth with no lumps.
Melt Butter and Sauté Garlic: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and whisk as the butter melts and the garlic becomes fragrant to release its aroma.
Add Milk Mixture: Slowly pour the prepared milk mixture into the melted butter while continuously whisking to incorporate evenly. Continue whisking until the sauce mixture begins to thicken.
Melt Cream Cheese: Add the block of cream cheese into the warm milk mixture. Continue whisking until the cream cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth without lumps.
Add Parmesan Cheese: Stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese and whisk until it fully melts into the sauce. Adjust seasoning by adding more salt, garlic powder, or a dash of pepper according to your taste.
Serve: Remove the sauce from heat and immediately pour it over your cooked pasta. Toss to coat evenly and serve warm.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smooth melting. Pre-grated cheese can sometimes be powdery and may not melt as well.
Do not use reduced-fat cream cheese as it can affect the sauce’s creaminess and texture.
Adjust the seasoning to your preference by adding more garlic powder, salt, or freshly ground black pepper.
This sauce is best served immediately but can be gently reheated on low heat with a splash of milk to restore texture.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Sauce
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: easy Alfredo sauce, homemade Alfredo, creamy pasta sauce, Italian sauce, comfort food, cream cheese Alfredo, quick Alfredo sauce