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Best Fettuccine Alfredo Sauce

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Rich, creamy, delicious fettuccine alfredo is one of our very favorite dinners.  This tasty homemade alfredo sauce is easy to make and and the whole family will love it. So make it for dinner as soon as possible!

fork loaded with alfredo coated fettuccine noodles

Alfredo sauce is rich creamy heavenly goodness all the way around. This recipe is super easy to make and it is sooooo good.

Toss your favorite pasta in it or just dive in with a breadstick. If you love Olive Garden’s alfredo you will love this recipe. Make it and you’ll see!

Let’s just get the facts out of the way first.  There is nothing “holy” or light about this recipe.  It doesn’t matter.  

Sometimes you just have to go for it.  See how I said sometimes, like most of what’s on here is light and holy.  Ha!

saute pan of alfredo sauce with whisk.

Really, we do eat pretty healthy most of the time. But sometimes you just have to go for the Alfredo and when you do, you might as well do it right! Trust me, you are going to want to do it right!

This recipe has been in our family for decades.  This was my birthday dinner request all throughout my high school years.

We would have this super creamy fettuccine alfredo for dinner and chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake for dessert. It was rich and delicious all the way around.

fettucine alfredo in pan with tongs.

The whole family loved it, not just me. In fact, we have never been disappointed with it. Not once.  In decades!

So now it is time to get down to business and whip up a batch of good chicken fettuccine alfredo. It has a short list of ingredients and is such a delicious recipe.

Why This Creamy Alfredo Sauce is the Best

This alfredo is the ultimate comfort food. It takes simple ingredients and just a few minutes to put together.

While some alfredo sauce recipes use heavy cream or eggs to make the sauce rich and creamy, this sauce relies on butter, cream cheese and milk. It gives it such a great texture and really makes the sauce hold onto the pasta.

Cream cheese alfredo sauce is perfect on a great number of things. Try dipping a breadstick in it or drizzle it over some broccoli.

plate of alfredo pasta with broccoli.

Of course, the most popular way to enjoy it is to stir in some pasta. Many shapes and types of pasta will do, but fettuccine is by far the most popular.

You can use this easy recipe as a great base recipe if you want to spice it up. You can add a few red pepper flakes for literal spice.

Add sliced chicken and sauteed zucchini or steamed broccoli for a tasty meal. Or make shrimp alfredo if you like seafood or to make it lent friendly.

What can I use instead of heavy cream in alfredo sauce?

This creamy alfredo sauce recipe doesn’t require the use of heavy cream. Instead butter, garlic, milk, Parmesan cheese and cream cheese are melted together to make a great sauce that sticks to the pasta and makes everything delicious.

What if my alfredo sauce is too thick?

You can always add a little bit of pasta water to the mix or an extra splash of milk if you want to thin the sauce out a bit. If it is too thin, just cook it a little bit longer to allow it to thicken.

More Great Family Friendly Pasta Dinners

If you are looking for a way to make yummy pasta alfredo without boiling water, check out my recipe for crock pot chicken alfredo. It is still rich and creamy, but made with the help of your favorite slow cooker.

Baked ziti is a perfect family friendly fill them up kind of meal.  It can be made ahead and baked to creamy, cheesy perfection.

One pot Italian sausage and broccoli pasta is another great option It is another great option with a creamy white sauce made from common ingredients.

Love this recipe? Give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review in the recipe card below!

Yield: 12 Servings

Creamy Alfredo Sauce Recipe

plate of alfredo pasta with broccoli.

If you are in the mood for pasta coated in a rich creamy sauce, you are in the right place. This homemade chicken fettuccine alfredo recipe is one of our all time favorite meals. it is great with shrimp or as a meat free meal if you prefer. This great recipe is sure to become a favorite at your table as well.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 clove fresh garlic (or 1/4 tsp garlic powder)
  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 pound fettuccine pasta, cooked al dente
  • Optional: 1 pound shrimp or chicken and 1 pound steamed or roasted broccoli

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat, add garlic and cook for a minute or two. It should be fragrant but not browned.
  2. Add milk and cream cheese. Cook, stirring frequently, until the cream cheese is melted and the mixture just starts to simmer.
  3. Add Parmesan and heat 3-5 minutes or until cheese is completely melted.
  4. Stir in pasta and mix-ins. Season with salt and black pepper if desired. Serve hot.
  5. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 316Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 137mgSodium: 677mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 17g

All nutritional information is estimated and will depend on the exact ingredients you use.

Did you make this recipe?

I'd love to see it! Share a picture on Instagram or Pinterest and tag me @carleecooks to let me know how it went!

Rich, creamy, delicious alfredo sauce is on of our very favorite dinners.  It is easy to make and and the whole family will love it, so make it for dinner as soon as possible!

Thanks for sharing!

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Amy

Tuesday 17th of November 2020

We do love Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce, so this is a must try!

Carlee

Tuesday 24th of November 2020

I hope you love it!

Diana

Saturday 14th of November 2020

Love this recipe, I was actually on the lookout for a simple homemade Alfredo recipe! Bookmarking this, thank you!!

Carlee

Tuesday 24th of November 2020

You are going to love it, I'm just sure of it. Thank you!

Andrea Nine

Friday 13th of November 2020

I am so happy to see this recipe! My kids love Alfredo sauce but I usually use the Knorr packets! This sounds so much more amazing! Have a super sweet weekend my friend!

Carlee

Tuesday 24th of November 2020

I don't know if I've ever tried the packets. I've used the jars a couple of times, but they don't live up to this recipe!

Liz @ Books n' Cooks

Thursday 15th of November 2018

My husband would love this!

Carlee

Friday 23rd of November 2018

It is so good!

Anonymous

Thursday 15th of November 2018

I make your recipe all the time and we love it! Thank you so much for sharing with us at the Whimsical Wednesdays Link Party. I made this recipe a feature this week. Have a great day Carlee!

Carlee

Friday 23rd of November 2018

Oh yay!!!!!!!!! Thank you!

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