This homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe With Half-and-Half is a lighter twist on the traditional sauce. It's smooth, creamy, and so easy to make! This restaurant-quality sauce is perfect for any pasta dish - and will quickly become a family favorite!
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This alfredo sauce is a delicious and creamy addition to any pasta dish. This sauce is quick and easy to make, requiring just a few simple ingredients.
Whip up this creamy white sauce in no time and take your pasta dishes to a whole new level of deliciousness. It's so good you'll ditch the jar of Alfredo sauce in your pantry and make this one instead!
I use it in Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells With Spinach, Shrimp Alfredo Pasta, zucchini noodles, Olive Garden Asiago Tortelloni Alfredo with Grilled Chicken, and Air Fryer Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Creamy and Rich: The combination of half-and-half, butter, and Parmesan cheese is delicious.
- Easy Recipe: This easy Alfredo sauce recipe requires minimal ingredients and can be prepared in just a few minutes.
- Versatile: This homemade sauce can be used with various pasta shapes, such as fettuccine and linguine, or even as a topping for vegetables or chicken.
- Budget-friendly: Making this sauce at home can save you money compared to store-bought Alfredo sauces.
- Lighter Option: Using half and half rather than heavy cream still provides creaminess but with less fat content.
Ingredients You'll Need
You can find everything you need to make this alfredo recipe at your local grocery store.
- Butter: Unsalted butter adds richness and flavor to the sauce.
- Half and Half: It creates a creamy consistency in the sauce without being too heavy.
- Cream Cheese: It adds thickness and a slightly tangy flavor.
- Garlic. A fresh garlic clove, finely minced, adds fantastic flavor to the sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese is a key ingredient in authentic Alfredo sauce. Freshly grated Parmesan gives the best flavor, but you can also use a combination of Parmesan and Romano cheese.
- Seasoning. I used Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. You could also add additional seasonings of garlic powder, red pepper flakes, or fresh parsley if you like.
See the printable recipe card for quantities and a complete list of ingredients.
How To Make Alfredo Sauce with Half-and-Half
Step 1: First, melt butter in a large saucepan or cast iron skillet over medium heat.
Step 2: Add two minced garlic cloves to the melted butter and sauté for about 1 minute or until fragrant. Stir constantly to prevent the garlic from burning.
Step 3: Cut half a block of cream cheese into small cubes and add them to the saucepan. Stir continuously until the cream cheese has melted and is very soft. It's okay if it is still lumpy; it will blend in later.
Step 4: Reduce the heat to low and whisk 2 cups of half and half into the saucepan.
Step 5: Add the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Next, add the shredded Parmesan cheese to the sauce, stirring constantly until it melts and blends smoothly into the mixture.
Step 6: Continue cooking over low heat for another few minutes, stirring frequently until thickened. Once you have the perfect consistency, remove the sauce from the heat and serve immediately over your favorite pasta.
Jeri's Top Tips
- Grate your own Parmesan cheese: For best results, use fresh Parmesan cheese from a block instead of pre-grated varieties, as it melts smoothly into the sauce without any clumps and contains no fillers.
- Do not boil: To prevent burning, avoid boiling the sauce after adding the half-and-half. Keep the heat on low throughout the cooking process.
- Adjust consistency: If you prefer a thinner sauce, add more half and half gradually until the desired consistency is reached. If you like a thicker sauce, simmer it for a few extra minutes while stirring frequently.
- Be patient while melting cream cheese: Cubing cream cheese helps it melt faster, but ensure that each cube fully melts before adding the parmesan cheese.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can substitute the half and half with equal parts of whole milk and heavy cream to achieve a similar consistency and richness.
While fresh is best, you can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to use, gently reheat it on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk or cream if needed to bring back its creamy texture.
Yes, you can freeze the sauce. Transfer it to a freezer-safe container once it has cooled completely. It will keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Alfredo sauce pairs well with various pasta dishes like fettuccine alfredo or chicken alfredo. It also makes a delicious topping for baked potatoes or grilled chicken.
You can reheat Alfredo sauce in the microwave by placing it in a microwave-safe dish and heating it on low power, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
More Saucy Recipes You'll Love
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- Jeri
Recipe
Alfredo Sauce with Half-and-Half
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 cloves fresh garlic minced
- 2 cups half and half
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- First, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 2 cloves of minced garlic to the melted butter and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Stir constantly to prevent the garlic from burning.½ cup unsalted butter, 2 cloves fresh garlic
- Cut half a block of cream cheese into small cubes and add them to the saucepan. Stir continuously until the cream cheese has melted and is very soft. It's okay if it is still lumpy; it will blend in later.4 oz cream cheese
- Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the half and half. Add the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Finally, add the grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce, stirring constantly until it melts and blends smoothly into the mixture.1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 cups half and half
- Continue cooking over low heat for another few minutes, stirring frequently until thickened. Once you have the perfect consistency, remove the sauce from the heat.
- Serve immediately over your favorite pasta.
- Enjoy!
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Recipe Notes:
- Grate your own Parmesan cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese from a block is preferable over pre-grated varieties as it melts smoothly into the sauce without any clumps and contains no fillers.
- Do not boil: Avoid boiling the sauce after adding the half and half to prevent burning. Keep the heat on low throughout the cooking process.
- Adjust consistency: If you prefer a thinner sauce, add more half and half gradually until the desired consistency is reached. If you like a thicker sauce, simmer it for a few extra minutes while stirring frequently.
- Be patient while melting cream cheese: Cubing cream cheese helps it melt faster, but ensure that each cube fully melts before adding the parmesan cheese.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
About Jeri Walker
Jeri Walker is the founder and CEO of Winding Creek Ranch. She is a self-taught home cook who specializes in easy family-friendly recipes. Jeri is also a food writer who regularly writes articles for MSN. Read about Jeri's journey and connect with her on your favorite social media channels!
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