Alfredo sauce is staple in many American households because of its rich, creamy flavor that both children and adults enjoy with pasta, chicken, or steak. While store-bought Alfredo is fine for when you’re in a rush, homemade sauce cannot be beat. It’s easy, incredibly tasty, and you have the ability to customize it to include other ingredients or make it healthier. Here’s a basic recipe you can try out first and some customization options to make this sauce your own!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- Handful of parsley, chopped
Directions
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over low heat and add garlic, cream, pepper, and salt.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil, then decrease heat and let simmer for 8-10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and slowly stir in Parmesan cheese.
- Return pan to low heat and cook for 2-3 more minutes, stirring constantly.
- Garnish with parsley and serve hot over pasta.
Customizations
- Healthified
To enjoy all the flavor of Alfredo without the abundance of fat and calories, you can substitute 2-3 cups of pureed cauliflower florets and 2-3 cups of vegetable broth for the heavy cream. Trust us, this recipe will fool even the pickiest of eaters. - Cajun-ized
Sometimes you just need a little spice in your life, so channel your inner Creole spirit by adding 1-2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning, 1 sliced red bell pepper, and 1 sliced green bell pepper while cooking. - Lemon-ized
A touch of acid can go a long way when it comes to developing flavors, so try adding the juice of 1-2 lemons; some sliced, grilled chicken; and fresh spinach to your Alfredo sauce and pasta. It will be the fresh take you need when your Sunday dinners are getting a little boring. - Pumpkin-ified
If you're cooking Alfredo in autumn, pumpkin is going to be the gourd of choice for the next few months. Get in on the action by adding 3 tablespoons of pumpkin puree (not pie filling) and a pinch of pumpkin pie spice for a quintessential dish with a seasonal twist.
