Description
This rich and creamy Alfredo sauce is a classic Italian-American favorite, made from simple ingredients like butter, garlic, heavy cream, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Perfect for coating your favorite pasta, it delivers a silky smooth, decadent flavor in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 Garlic Clove (minced, optional)
- 1 1/2 cups Heavy Cream
- 1 1/4 cups Finely Grated Parmesan Cheese (about 4 ounces)
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
To Serve
- 12-16 ounces hot cooked pasta
- Finely minced Italian parsley (optional)
- Additional grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Finely grate the Parmesan cheese and set it aside at room temperature to ensure it melts smoothly later on.
- Melt Butter and Cook Garlic: In a medium saucepan over low to medium-low heat, gently melt the butter without browning it. Add minced garlic if using and cook for 20–30 seconds while stirring constantly until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
- Add Heavy Cream and Simmer: Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Increase the heat slightly and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Allow it to simmer for 1–2 minutes to slightly reduce the cream and concentrate the flavors.
- Incorporate Parmesan Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and gradually add the Parmesan cheese in small handfuls, stirring constantly until each addition is fully melted. Keep the heat low to prevent clumping or separation of the cheese.
- Season Sauce: Once all the cheese has melted, add salt and black pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, stir in 1–2 tablespoons of hot pasta water to loosen it and improve the texture.
- Serve: Immediately toss the sauce with 12-16 ounces of hot cooked pasta. Garnish with finely minced Italian parsley and additional Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-grated for the best melting and flavor.
- Do not let the butter or garlic brown to avoid bitterness in the sauce.
- Adjust the thickness of the sauce by adding hot pasta water gradually.
- Serve the sauce immediately to maintain its creamy texture.
- Optional garlic adds subtle flavor but can be omitted if preferred.
