Description
An ultra-creamy, budget-friendly homemade Alfredo sauce made with just butter, heavy cream, garlic, and fresh Parmesan cheese. Ready in 15 minutes and perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4–6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
- 1 pound pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or penne)
- Reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Grate the Parmesan cheese and mince the garlic before starting to cook.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for 60-90 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool for 30 seconds.
- Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese, a handful at a time, whisking constantly until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg if desired. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente, reserving 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Add the drained pasta to the sauce pan and toss over low heat for 1 minute, adding pasta water as needed to help the sauce cling to the noodles.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese, not pre-grated, to avoid anti-caking agents that cause graininess. Remove the pan from heat before adding cheese to prevent seizing. Save pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Do not freeze leftovers as dairy may separate.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 500
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 65
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 22
Keywords: Alfredo sauce, homemade pasta sauce, creamy sauce, budget-friendly dinner, weeknight meals, Italian recipe, easy cooking