Recipe

The Easiest Alfredo Sauce Ever

The Easiest Alfredo Sauce Ever

Photo 1 of 2
by lastnightsdinner

The Easiest Alfredo Sauce Ever

Photo 2 of 2
by lastnightsdinner

  • Chef

    lastnightsdinner's Notes: I have no idea where I picked it up, but I've been making this sauce for years. I'm not going to claim that there's anything authentic about this recipe, and I'm sure that there are about...

    Expand

Serves 2-4

1/2 cup (or 8 T or 1 stick) unsalted butter (preferably a rich European-style butter with lots of butterfat) Ask a question about this ingredient

1 cup heavy cream Ask a question about this ingredient

1 cup freshly grated Parmagiano Reggiano cheese, plus additional for the table Ask a question about this ingredient

Kosher or sea salt to taste Ask a question about this ingredient

to serve: 3/4 to 1 lb. hot cooked pasta, plus a splash of the starchy water it was cooked in Ask a question about this ingredient

optional garnishes: freshly ground pepper, freshly grated lemon zest, chopped fresh parsley or basil, snipped fresh chives Ask a question about this ingredient

  1. Melt the butter in the cream in a wide, heavy-bottomed saucepan over low heat, stirring or whisking often. When the butter is completely melted, add the cheese a little at a time, whisking or stirring after each addition. Continue cooking until the sauce is reduced and thickened, about 20-25 minutes. Taste and add salt if needed. Toss with hot cooked pasta, adding a bit of the starchy pasta water to help it all come together. Serve in warmed pasta bowls, adding your choice of garnish, if desired. Pass additional grated cheese at the table.

    Ask a question about this step

12 Comments on The Easiest Alfredo Sauce Ever

Reply

Made this tonight with shrimp, crab and scallops. Delicious and easy. Go to Alfredo recipe.

Reply

Made this tonight with shrimp, crab and scallops. Delicious and easy. Go to Alfredo recipe.

Reply

Definitely the easiest and best alfredo sauce I've found---LOVE!!! (and so does my alfredo obsessed husband)

Reply

Best alfredo sauce. ever. And I've tried a few! thank you so much!!

Reply

Altered the recipe a lil bit. I used Half and half instead of cream. A lot lighter and u don't get
That heavy coating in your mouth or in your stomach!
Served it with blackened chicken breast and a crisp Chardonnay! What a hit!

My_love-1 Reply

Yeah! Making this right now. My beau is at boys night out and this is a perfect dinner for one. So excited...love, love alfredo.

Henrykiss Reply

hooray for lastnightsdinner! we had this tonight with fresh whole wheat fettucine and mixed in a head of kale- it was super delicious and so easy! thanks for a great recipe :)

Newliztoqueicon-2 Reply

Thinking heart-healthy, I can play with this lovely recipe. Thanks, Jen!

Reply

Great versatile recipe...you can substitute gorgonzola for parmagiano and it's entirely different but delicious as well. Great over penne.

Google_ Reply

So lucky to be living in a country that has fresh pasta stores at every corner. :) Yes. More cravings please= more recipes.

Mrs Reply

Oh. My. Goodness. This would be outstanding with fresh pasta - some of which I happen to have in the freezer. Looking forward to reading about more of your cravings!

Google_ Reply

I love simple recipes like this.

Meet our Hotliners:

Nate Tate & Mary Kate Tate

Food52

Nate and Mary Kate are the authors of the cookbook Feeding the Dragon: A Culinary Travelogue through China with Recipes.

Nate Tate & Mary Kate Tate answered What herbs are used in Chinese cooking besides cilantro? 7 months ago