Easy 3 Ingredient Alfredo Sauce

This easy homemade 3 Ingredient Alfredo Sauce is made with three simple ingredients butter, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese. It’s thick, creamy, and perfect to pair with fettuccine noodles or your favorite alfredo recipes.

Are you craving more alfredo sauce recipes? Then be sure to try making the recipe for Chicken Alfredo Biscuit Pizza or some Creamy Alfredo with Bacon and Peas.

Fettuccine alfredo is a family favorite. 

It's simple, with hearty fettuccine pasta, and a creamy alfredo sauce. It's buttery with a rich flavor combination that's made even better when topped with freshly grated cheese and ground black pepper before serving. 

Grabbing store-bought jars of sauce to make it at home is super convenient, but it's so easy to whip up from scratch with just a few ingredients. 

Let's get started!

Ingredients You'll Need

This sauce has a short ingredient list, you only need a handful of ingredients, so feel free to use your favorite brands that you can find at most grocery stores. 

1. Butter - Makes the homemade alfredo sauce silky and buttery. Use salted or unsalted butter whichever you prefer, either will work. 
2. Heavy Cream (Heavy Whipping Cream) - Helps to thicken the sauce and gives it a creamy texture and flavor. I do not recommend substituting this ingredient.
3. Parmesan Cheese - Grated parmesan cheese to finish the sauce and add a savory, slightly salty, and cheesy bite. Make sure that you're not using pre-shredded cheese, it should be grated cheese. I love using the pre-grated parmesan that can be found in the cheese/deli section of your local grocery store. 
4. Salt & Ground Black Pepper - Seasons the sauce and adds flavor, adjust as needed.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.

What Kind of Parmesan Cheese?

Selecting the right cheese is VERY important. I suggest using grated Parmesan cheese that you either freshly grate yourself using a box grater. For a quicker option, try grabbing a package of grated cheese that you can find in the deli/cheese section of the grocery store. Be sure to double check that you're using grated cheese and NOT shredded cheese.

Grated cheese combines the best. Use real Parmigiano Reggiano cheese if you can find it and pecorino romano cheese can be used as a substitute. 

​I do not recommend using the parmesan cheese that comes in a container that's stored at room temperature and is usually found on shelves/in the aisle at the grocery store. Make sure that you're using refrigerated cheese. 

​Recipe Variations

• Fresh Herbs - Along with the grated cheese, add in some freshly chopped herbs for a bit of earthly flavor. Chopped fresh parsley, fresh basil, and oregano are great options. 
• Spices - Head over to your spices and add in some that you prefer such as garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, etc. 
• Make it Spicy - Add a bit of heat with some crushed red pepper and cayenne pepper. 
• Garlic - Mince fresh garlic cloves for an intense garlic flavor. 
• Lemon - Lemon juice and lemon zest are great additions for acid and lemon flavor that brightens up the sauce. 

How to Make Alfredo Sauce

Begin making the creamy sauce by grabbing a large skillet or braiser pan and placing it on the stovetop over medium heat. Once the pan is heated add the butter and allow it to melt and become foamy. 

Add the salt and ground black pepper. Using a whisk, slowly stream in the heavy cream until combined. Allow the buttery mixture to cook uncovered for 5 minutes. 

Add the grated parmesan cheese and whisk constantly until fully combined and smooth.

This is the perfect time to add cooked al dente pasta and toss until fully coated in the sauce. Serve warm topped with some additional parmesan cheese and ground black pepper. Enjoy!

Tips & Tricks to Make the Best Alfredo Sauce 

• Order definitely matters. Fully melt the butter, whisk in the heavy cream, and then add the parmesan.
• Taste and adjust the salt and ground black pepper according to your preference. 
• The sauce will thicken as it cools, this is perfectly normal. 
• Cook the sauce over medium heat or medium-low heat to prevent the sauce from becoming chunky (curdle). 
• Whisk, whisk, whisk the ingredients! This helps to fully combine the ingredients and gives that smooth texture. 

Storage 

Storage. This easy alfredo sauce recipe is best enjoyed the same day or shortly after it's made. However, it can be stored in an airtight container or jar with a lid in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. You can extend the life of the sauce a bit if it's added to cooked pasta before storing it. 

Reheating. When you're ready to use it again, simply add it to a medium saucepan over medium heat and whisk until warm. Add a splash of heavy cream if you notice the sauce is too thick and stiff.

Freezing. I do not recommend freezing the sauce as it changes the texture afterward. 

Want More Easy Delicious Recipes? Try These:

• Chicken Alfredo Biscuit Pizza
• Creamy Alfredo with Bacon and Peas
• Spaghetti and Meatballs
• Quick Pasta Toss
• One Pot Pasta with Lemon and Ricotta 
• Easy Lasagna Recipe 
• Southern Comeback Sauce 

Have any comments, questions, or more delicious ways to enjoy this 3-Ingredient Alfredo Sauce Recipe? Please share them in the comments below!

📖 Recipe

Original post date 03/06/2017. Updated 08/25/2022 & 05/15/2024.