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Toss this rich sauce with pasta or spread it over pizza for an easy, crowd-pleasing meal.
What is Alfredo Sauce?
Traditionally made with Parmesan and butter, you probably know this classic Italian sauce best from the delicious Fettuccine Alfredo. Today, I’m showing you how to make your own Alfredo sauce with half and half to build a family favorite meal.
This recipe uses half and half to give the sauce a velvety smooth texture and a little cream cheese to make it richer. While a combination of milk and heavy cream works well too, this recipe uses just one liquid.
The jarred sauce is nothing compared to this homemade Alfredo version, which takes less than 10 minutes to whip up. Once you try it, you won’t go back to the jar!
Alfredo Sauce Ingredients
One reason I always make my own Alfredo sauce is because I always have these pantry staple ingredients on hand. And while you’ll find the measurements in the recipe card below, check this list before making any ingredient swaps:
- Butter: the delicious starter of this sauce.
- Garlic: if you don’t have fresh garlic cloves, use ½ teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Cream cheese: makes this Alfredo sauce thicker, can be omitted, but you’ll need ½ cup more Parmesan.
- Half and half: the liquid base for the sauce that makes it rich and creamy!
- Grated Parmesan cheese: a classic Alfredo sauce ingredient.
- Salt and pepper: for seasoning.
- Pinch of nutmeg: optional but recommended!
Need to make a swap? Try my creamy Cottage Cheese Alfredo here!
How easy is it to make Alfredo sauce with half and half?
With simple ingredients and a few minutes, you can have fresh homemade Alfredo sauce. It’s also worth mentioning that you’ll need a whisk and some mad whisking skills, both essential for the ultimate, creamy, smooth Alfredo sauce.
How to Make Alfredo Sauce with Half and Half
You are about to see just how easy this Alfredo sauce with half and half is. This recipe yields about 3 cups, which is just enough for a pound of pasta. When needed, this can also be doubled and tripled. The steps:
- Brown garlic
First, you will melt the butter and brown the garlic. - Make the sauce
Next, you add the cream cheese and stir until melted. Pour in the half and half and continue to whisk. - Add cheese
Dissolve the Parmesan into the sauce and whisk until melted and smooth. - Season
Finally season it with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Give it a good stir and voila! Homemade Alfredo sauce.
Watch how easily this creamy sauce comes together in this quick recipe video:
How to Thicken Homemade Alfredo Sauce
Added too much liquid to your sauce? No problem. Thicken up your Alfredo sauce by stirring ½ cup of Parmesan cheese or 2 tablespoons of cream cheese into the sauce and simmering it for a couple of minutes to reduce.
Be sure to serve it with one of these delicious sides for alfredo!
Best Recipes Using Alfredo Sauce
I couldn’t leave you without some epic recipes to try with this Alfredo sauce! This Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo and this Cajun Alfredo are packed with flavor and nutrition and make a satisfying meal for the entire family in less than 30 minutes!
We are talking easy and delicious recipes, right? Then you need to try my Skillet Lasagna recipe, where you can simply swap tomato sauce for Alfredo and start drooling!
My list of favorites goes on! I mean, Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta for dinner? Doesn’t it sound amazing? And what about Blackened Chicken Alfredo? EPIC!
Easy Alfredo Sauce with Half and Half
Watch how it’s made:
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 3 tablespoons cream cheese
- 2 cups half and half
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg, optional
- 16 ounces pasta, your favorite
Instructions
- Cook the pasta following the instructions on the box. Meanwhile, make the sauce.
- Over medium heat, melt the butter while stirring it around the pan. Once melted, add the garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add the cream cheese, and stir it around to melt it. Slowly pour in the half and half, and keep whisking to combine the ingredients in the pan.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the Parmesan cheese in batches, along with the salt, pepper, and nutmeg (if using). Continue stirring to combine it into a sauce. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce for 5 minutes.
- Combine the pasta with the Alfredo sauce and serve immediately.
Anne says
This was so good!
Lucy says
This was so good!
Carla says
Incredible recipe!
Jackie says
So good!!!
melanie says
I made this alfredo sauce for dinner and it turned out fantastic. delicious and super simple!
Sona says
So creamy and delish! This recipe is a lifesaver for a quick and easy Alfredo sauce!!
Emily says
delicious alfredo sauce recipe… 100% recommended!!
Sol says
All I had was half-and-half and I wanted to make Alfredo sauce. This recipe was delicious, but it is very easy thank you.
Penny says
Creamy and delish! Wow this alfredo was so delish.
Flora says
I made this alfredo sauce for pasta with half and half because I didn’t have cream. It turned out just as good! I’ll be using this recipe again.
Carrie says
We looooved this!
June says
Easy restaurant-worthy meal!
Tina says
Im obsessed with how easy and delicious this alfredo sauce was to make!
T says
This is a quick and easy recipe and makes enough for probably 6-8 people (more if serving as a side dish) and it’s very rich. I added 2 extra cloves of garlic but followed all other amounts of ingredients. My one recommendation would be to add the half and half before the cream cheese. My butter and garlic was getting too brown and almost burned while trying to melt the cream cheese. I had to add the liquid before it barely had a chance to melt in order to save the dish. Also, the nutmeg is a must. Adds more flavor and depth to the dish.
DB says
LOVE it. Make it often
Peggy says
This was sooo good! My first time making alfredo sauce at home, but I had half and half leftover from my morning coffee and it made the most perfect sauce!
Beth says
I love how rich and creamy this alfredo sauce is. Making it with the half and half is a nice touch. It’s really good!
Charah says
Love this recipe, I tried this Sauce earlier today and its so delicious, thanks for sharing
DK says
Wow – I never tried alfredo sauce with half and half, but the recipe turned out great! It was creamy and delicious – I even added the nutmeg!
Justine says
Delicious! I love alfredo, but it’s so calorie heavy – it never occurred to me to use half and half instead of cream, but it worked really well and was delicious!
Jeff says
It’s so simple and quick. I love the pinch of nutmeg; it gives it the just-right flavour.
Kristine says
This sauce is AMAZING! So quick and easy, I’ll never make it any other way!
GR says
Thank you for this recipe. Could I use heavy whipping cream instead of Half and Half?
Laura Fuentes says
Yes, you can absolutely use whipping cream to make alfredo instead of half and half. Enjoy!
Sue says
Thank you for this recipe. Can I make it ahead of time and reward it later?
Laura Fuentes says
Yes, you can make the sauce ahead and warm it up. I would recommend adding some liquid, like a little milk, to reheat since alfredo sauce tends to thicken up when it cools.
Emma says
I was no sure about the 10 minutes, I mean, can it be that easy? Well, IT IS!! I always thought that Alfredo sauce was complicated. Not with this recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Matty says
I tried this a couple weeks ago and used protein pasta for added protein. 10/10 would make again it was super affordable.
Natalia says
This recipe was absolutely perfect!! I ran out of milk and wasn’t sure what I could use for my alfredo sauce, it turned out AMAZING! I think I prefer using half and half instead! Thanks for sharing.
Clara says
Thick, easy to make and delicious, thank you!
Judy L Bender says
Delicious recipe and fast to make! I love veggies so I always add cauliflower, carrots and broccoli to mine for a vegetarian twist! Yum!!!