Simply LaKita

  • Home
  • About
  • Browse Recipes
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Breads and Muffins
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Drinks and Cocktails
    • Snacks and Appetizers
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Instant Pot
  • Contact
  • Where Southern Comfort Food Meets Modern Flavor
  • Accessibility Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Browse Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Browse Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

Modified: Sep 26, 2024 · Published: May 15, 2024 by LaKita · This post may contain affiliate links.

Easy 3 Ingredient Alfredo Sauce

Jump to Recipe
Overhead view of finished sauce in large white braiser pan.
Close up side view of sauce in jar beside the lid on black tile surface.
Overhead view of jar of alfredo sauce on black tile surface.
White bowl with pasta and sauce in it topped with parsley and black pepper by a fork.
Overhead view of jar of sauce on pin with text overlay.
Overhead view of white bowl with pasta and sauce in it topped with parsley and black pepper on pin with text overlay.
Four process shots to make alfredo sauce on pin with text overlay.
White bowl with pasta and sauce in it topped with parsley and black pepper by a fork.

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.

Overhead view of jar of alfredo sauce beside the lid on black tile surface.

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. 

Overhead view of ingredients needed to make sauce on black tile surface.
  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. 

Close up side view of jar with sauce in it.

​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. 

Want To Save This Recipe?

Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get comforting new recipes from us every week!

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. 

Overhead view of melted butter and heavy cream combined in large white braiser pan.

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

Overhead view of alfredo sauce in large white braiser pan.

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!

Bowl of pasta topped with parsley and black pepper.

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. 

White bowl with pasta and fork in it.

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 
  • Close up overhead view of finished cake in white baking dish.
    Banana Pudding Tres Leches Cake – Soul Food Meets Classic Tres Leches
  • Easy Pepperoni Bread (Cheesy, Flavor-Packed & Game Day Ready)
  • Southern Fried Chicken Recipe (Crispy, Juicy & Easy)
  • Overhead view of finished meatloaf in white baking dish.
    The Best Southern Meatloaf Recipe for Sunday Supper

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

📖 Recipe

White bowl with pasta and sauce in it topped with parsley and black pepper by a fork.

Alfredo Sauce Recipe

LaKita Anderson
This 3 Ingredient Alfredo Sauce is made with butter, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese. It’s thick, creamy, and perfect to pair with fettuccine pasta.
5 from 7 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 382 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large skillet or braiser
  • 1 wooden spoon or whisk

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¾ cup parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions
 

  • Begin making the 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 4 tablespoons butter and allow it to melt and become foamy. 
  • Add the ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper. Using a whisk, slowly stream in the 1 cup heavy cream until combined. Allow the buttery mixture to cook uncovered for 5 minutes. 
  • Add the ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese and whisk constantly until fully combined and smooth.
  • This is the perfect time to add 12 ounces cooked pasta and toss until fully coated in the sauce. Serve warm topped with some additional parmesan cheese and ground black pepper. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

  • 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. 
Calories: 382kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 7gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 24gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 114mgSodium: 725mgPotassium: 98mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1388IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 210mgIron: 0.2mg

The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

Keyword alfredo sauce, fettuccine alfredo
Tried This Recipe?Leave a comment below or tag @simplylakita on social!

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

More Main Dishes

  • Easy Dutch Oven Pulled Chicken (Quick, Juicy & Flavorful)
  • Close up view of finished tacos in a white bowl.
    Easy Jerk Chicken Tacos (Bold, Spicy & Ready in 30 Minutes)
  • Close up view of finished cod in parchment paper topped with slice of lime.
    Cod en Papillote (Baked Cod in Parchment with Chili Lime and Corn)
  • Overhead view of white bowl with salmon on top of salad beside a fork on white surface.
    Honey Sriracha Salmon (Easy 30-Minute Baked Recipe)

Comments

    5 from 7 votes (6 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Karen says

    February 20, 2025 at 6:35 pm

    5 stars
    Made it exactly according to the recipe. Absolutely delicious and super simple!!
    Amazing!!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      February 25, 2025 at 6:01 pm

      Thank you Karen, it's such a simple recipe 🙂

      Reply
  2. Netra says

    November 10, 2024 at 8:22 pm

    This is the best Alfredo sauce ever. It's easy, creamy and delicious.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      November 14, 2024 at 6:31 pm

      Thank you Netra! Happy to hear that you enjoyed the alfredo sauce recipe!

      Reply
  3. lee says

    April 25, 2017 at 11:10 am

    Hi LaKita,

    You are a girl after my own heart. When you said quick, easy to make and full of flavour. That's what I am all about so I really like this dish. When it only has three ingredients too it makes it quite an inexpensive meal too and that ticks another box for me as I much prefer making a meal you could get in a nice restaurant for a tenth of the price.

    Great post, many thanks! Great write up too and awesome photos. You have great natural light in your kitchen which makes your food pop!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 26, 2017 at 11:19 am

      Thank you so much! This recipe is so quick and easy, plus the price is really nice 🙂

      Reply
  4. Akaleistar says

    March 11, 2017 at 8:35 pm

    Mmm, that looks really good! For some reason, I think fettuccine is better than spaghetti.

    Reply
    • admin says

      March 13, 2017 at 1:00 pm

      Thank you! I totally agree with you 🙂

      Reply
Head shot bio photo of LaKita in an orange shirt.

Hi, I'm LaKita. I'm a Lifelong home cook and self-taught baker. I've been sharing modern comfort food through food blogging, recipe development, and photography since 2013.

More about me →

Popular Recipes

  • overhead view of white bowl of salad topped with dressing next to fork and jar of dressing
    Hibachi Ginger Dressing

  • Close up view of piece of delight on white plate with a fork.
    Easy to Make Chocolate Delight Recipe

  • Hibachi Vegetables

  • Overhead view of finished deviled eggs on white plate topped with parsley and paprika.
    Easy Deviled Eggs with Miracle Whip

Featured In

Side Dishes

  • Close up view of finished sweet potatoes on parchment lined sheet pan.
    How to Roast Sweet Potatoes Without Oil (Fast, Easy, & No-Fuss Method)

  • Overhead view of finished cornbread in cast iron skillet with a knife in it.
    Southern Cracklin Cornbread (Cast Iron Recipe)

  • Close up overhead view of finished red onions in glass jar.
    Quick Pickled Red Onions (Easy 4-Ingredient Recipe)

  • Overhead view of finished broccoli on parchment lined sheet pan.
    Crispy Oven Roasted Broccoli (Easy & Flavorful Side Dish)

See more Side Dishes →

Footer

↑ back to top

as seen in:

Subscribe for weekly updates!

Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility Policy
  • ↑ back to top

Copyright © 2025 Simply LaKita • Post may contain affiliate links.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.