Learn how to make homemade Alfredo Sauce without cream cheese! This homemade Alfredo sauce is creamy, rich, and cheesy, made with simple ingredients, like freshly grated parmesan cheese, minced garlic cloves, and a dash of nutmeg.
In a large (high-sided) skillet or medium saucepan, add butter and melt, tossing the garlic in at the last minute, stirring constantly until fragrant.
Note: If making pasta, now would be a great time to start your water boiling, be sure to salt it well, and boil pasta according to package directions. Once the sauce gets started, it doesn’t take long to make this sauce.
Over medium heat, add the heavy cream to the sauted garlic, stirring to combine, and bring to a low simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low then stir in nutmeg (garlic powder, if not using fresh garlic), salt, and pepper.
Remove pan from heat, and stir in shredded parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is thickened. Garnish with chopped parsley, take a taste, and if needed stir in a little more salt.
Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta sauce, then drain pasta and pour sauce over pasta and toss. Or serve individual servings, spooning the desired amount of sauce over top of the pasta.
If the sauce is too thick (it will thicken as it cools), reserve about ½ cup of pasta water and stir in a tablespoon at a time. The starches in the pasta water will help thin the sauce but not too thin.
Notes
Don’t skip the nutmeg, it compliments the cheese sauce beautifully!StorageStore leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-14 days, and make sure it’s cooled before putting it in the fridge.Alfredo sauce will freeze well, freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, and reheat in a small pan, thinning with a little pasta water if you still have it or with milk or cream. If the sauce "breaks" or splits separating and becoming clumpy, heat over very low heat, whisking or stirring in a little cream or milk, or parmesan cheese until it comes together.