Creamy Garlic Alfredo Sauce {My Go-To Dinner Saver!}

by Mel on October 31, 2011 · 109 comments

I am not (not!) exaggerating when I say this quick, creamy garlic alfredo sauce has changed how I view non-dinner nights. You know. Those nights when dinner just ain’t happening. Too many things going on. Too lazy (who, me??). Too many nights of husband being out of town. Too many kids needing attention. Too many weeks pregnant (yes, that is a subliminal announcement!). Too many this. Too many that.

The problem is, on nights like that, I just can’t handle the thought of dinner approaching and knowing I’m going to have to scrounge up something my kids will eat but I’ll probably find gag-worthy. I can’t help it. Grilled cheese only gets me through so many nights.

Enter this sauce. Fast. Unbelievably fast, and incredibly creamy and flavorful, this alfredo sauce is what I’ve been searching for the past five years. Healthier (relatively) than the versions loaded with butter and cream, it comes together quickly and wonderfully and it reheats beautifully the next day if you are lucky enough to have leftovers.

We’ve made this no less than 10 times in the last month, and I have never, and I mean never, seen my kids gobble up anything so quickly. In fact, they beg for it every night and have requested it for their birthday dinners every year until they turn 42. Hopefully by then someone else will be making it for them, otherwise, we’ll have larger issues than just alfredo sauce overload.

Embarrassingly, I have to admit, this sauce is even on the menu this week. I actually planned it that way. I mean, eating it at least once was inevitable, so I might as well add it in to the menu plan so I don’t look like a total slacker.

Creamy Garlic Alfredo Sauce
Printable Version with Picture
Printable Version

Note: I’ve only ever used 1% milk in this sauce and it works great for our tastes. Also, I’ve made it with regular and low-fat cream cheese. The low-fat cream cheese gives it a slightly, very slightly grainy texture, but the cut in calories is worth it, in my opinion, although the full-fat cream cheese offers a luxurious, creamy texture that can’t be beat. You choose!

*Makes about 2 cups of sauce

INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, finely minced or pressed through a garlic press
4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into 6 pieces (see note above)
1 cup milk (see note above)
3 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1 cup)
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt, more to taste, if needed

DIRECTIONS:
In a medium pot or skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, taking care not to let the garlic burn. Add the cream cheese, stirring with a whisk until the mixture is smooth. It will look curdled at first, but with constant whisking for 2-3 minutes, it should come together to form a smooth, creamy paste. Add the milk gradually, about 1/4 cup at a time, whisking quickly and constantly until each addition is incorporated fully into the sauce. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, pepper and salt. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is the desired consistency. Cook for 2-3 minutes for a thicker sauce or remove right after the cheese is melted for a thinner sauce. Serve immediately over hot, cooked noodles.

Recipe Source: adapted from Sweet Pea Chef

{ 107 comments… read them below or add one }

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1 nikki October 31, 2011 at 6:40 am: Thanks, my kids will love this one!! Congratulations on your pregnancy (that is what you said right??) I have 2 boys and people are always pressuring me to have a girl, like I have a choice in the matter. Anyway, God Bless
2 Kim in MD October 31, 2011 at 7:01 am: Congratulations, Melanie! I’m so happy for you and Brian!

This alfredo sauce looks so delicious and yet so easy. Great food styling, too-I love the photo with the green plate under the white bowl…it really makes the dish “pop”! Oh, and I know what you mean about your children begging for the same recipe over and over. In my house it’s your One-Skillet Penne with Sausage recipe that is requested at least once a week! Although I love it, I hope that by the time my children are 42 someone else is making it for them, too!
3 Jessie Romney October 31, 2011 at 7:06 am: I make an alfredo sauce almost exactly like this one and we love it!! Easy and one my whole family gobbles up. Congrats on the upcoming arrival!!!
4 Erin October 31, 2011 at 7:09 am: I’ve never been an alfredo sauce girl, but with such praises from you, I’ll have to try it.

Congratulations! How far along are you? I’m coming up on 20 weeks and am way into food. Hope you’re feeling well!
5 Leslie October 31, 2011 at 7:11 am: I’m sure this recipe is delicious but more importantly – congratulations!!!! You rock!!!!
6 Stefanie October 31, 2011 at 7:13 am: Congratulations! That is very exciting news.
7 Renee October 31, 2011 at 8:18 am: Congratulations! How exciting! This recipe looks great. My kids love alfredo sauce much more than meat or marinara sauce. They always order it out at restaurants. Occasionally, I buy the jarred stuff for them. Not very tasty, but they like it. I will have to try this. Thanks so much!
8 Anne October 31, 2011 at 8:25 am: This is almost EXACTLY like the kind I make [ I add a cup more milk and 1/2 cup more freshly shredded parmesan]. And you aren’t kidding about it being the one dish I know ALL of my 3 finicky little ones will actually eat! So glad you found it, especially at such a time when I know it’s hard [did I mention about the THREE kids?] to get inspired at dinnertime. Congratulations!
9 Tiffany October 31, 2011 at 8:36 am: Congrats! When pregnant with my first (some 15 years ago…oh gosh that makes me feel old) Alfredo was something I just couldn’t look at. I am glad to say that once I had him that all went away. This looks fantastic! Hope you are feeling well, and no aversions to food.
10 Christina October 31, 2011 at 8:39 am: Congratulations! I am 26 weeks pregnant and completely understand the need for quick, simple meals.
11 Liz K. October 31, 2011 at 8:43 am: Congratulations! That is such fantastic news! I haven’t made my menu for the week but I am sure this sauce will be one of the dinners. I am positive all of my family will like it!
12 Mel October 31, 2011 at 8:50 am: Thanks, everyone! I’m only about 14 weeks along and even then hesitated to share the news thanks to a miscarriage earlier this year and some previous health concerns that have made this pregnancy high-risk. But things are going better and we hope to have a healthy baby here in April! Of course my four boys are dying to know if they are going to get a little sister (and I don’t have the heart to tell them that I still have my hopes up for a sweet little boy). Thanks, again!
13 Megan October 31, 2011 at 8:53 am: Congrats Mel! Awesome news. On my third boy I never told anyone that I hoped it was a boy because everyone assumed I wanted a girl and thought I was crazy for wanting another boy! I can’t wait to try this Alfredo….
14 Teresa October 31, 2011 at 8:58 am: Mel,

I have been usin cream cheese for the base in my alfredo sauce for years. My Italian mother would not approve if she were here Anyhoo, I use it for my caterings, and here at the school. Sometimes I add chopped broccoli, we love grilled shrimp, stir in lump crabmeat, (better than Red Lobster) the possibilities are endless. When I have leftover veggies from a veggie tray, I toss them in evoo, roast them and stir it in the alfredo. I love tomato alfredo so sometimes I add fresh chopped tomatoes, if they aren’t in season a small can of petite diced tomatoes. Just wanted to share.
15 Teresa October 31, 2011 at 9:04 am: OBTW Congratulations, Will keep you and yours in my prayers. I have 5 children, the first four were girls and number 5 was the boy:) 20 years between my oldest and youngest.
16 Heather Bell October 31, 2011 at 9:21 am: Looks delicious and congratulations!!
17 AnnetteBrunette October 31, 2011 at 9:22 am: Congrats Mel! This is exciting! Oh and well done on the pregnancy too
18 Lorie October 31, 2011 at 9:43 am: Congratulations! So happy for you! Happy and Healthy 9 (really 10) months!
19 Alisa October 31, 2011 at 9:51 am: Congratulations!!

The alfredo sounds fantastic also.
20 Kira October 31, 2011 at 10:40 am: Congratulations! Nothing like a new baby on the way. Hope all goes well for you.
21 Melanie October 31, 2011 at 10:44 am: Congratulations! Your recipes continue to be my favorites- I keep recommending your website to everyone that likes my cooking!
22 Amanda M October 31, 2011 at 10:49 am: Yes! I’m looking forward to trying this… I’ve been looking for a delicious (relatively easy) alfredo sauce! Congrats on the little one on the way!
23 Lin October 31, 2011 at 10:51 am: Yay, congratulations on being pregnant! Thanks for this easy & delicious looking recipe…anything that’s easy to make is my kind of recipe
24 Jessica Kutok October 31, 2011 at 11:03 am: I HAVE to try this. I’m always looking for new pasta recipes. It looks amazing!! And they’re all pantry staples except for the cream cheese. Grocery store here I come!!!

Thanks for posting this and congrats on your pregnancy!
25 Sarah October 31, 2011 at 11:04 am: Congratulations, Mel, I’m so happy for you! This will be on my menu this very week!
26 Mame M October 31, 2011 at 11:18 am: Congrats on the pregnancy!!! This is a great recipe for when the hubby is out of town bc I love Alfredo and well, he doesn’t like it at all )
27 Emily October 31, 2011 at 11:58 am: Congratulations! So excited for you! Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well.
28 Tristan October 31, 2011 at 12:14 pm: Congratulations Mel on your pregnancy!! I’ll be praying for your health and the little nugget’s health!! I am positive everything will go smoothly!
29 Brittany C. October 31, 2011 at 1:02 pm: Congrats!!!! That is super exciting! Hope you are feeling ok. I have a recipe very similar to this and we absolutely LOVE it. It’s the only alfredo I will make or eat. I refuse to make a cream/butter filled kids. yikes. I am going to try yours, because let’s be honest, everything you make is divine!
30 Keri October 31, 2011 at 1:34 pm: I love to make this. I’ll often skip the cream cheese and milk and just use fat free half and half. It’s super creamy minus the fat.

Congrats on the news!
31 Jenny October 31, 2011 at 2:01 pm: Hooray for you and your family, Mel!
32 sara October 31, 2011 at 2:17 pm: Congratulations, Mel! Such happy news!
33 Laura October 31, 2011 at 2:50 pm: Congratulations! So excited for you!
34 Lindsay October 31, 2011 at 3:24 pm: Mel, you can’t leave us hanging like that. Congrats! When are you due? Do you know what you’re having? So exciting! I hope you are getting over the feeling yucky stage! And this looks amazing….thanks for sharing!
35 Brooke October 31, 2011 at 3:50 pm: Congrats! I hope you feel well…and that things go well for you!
36 Becky October 31, 2011 at 3:51 pm: Congrats on your pregnancy. I know that miscarriages give you a scare and it’s hard to enjoy pregnancy the same way afterwards. Hoping you have an uneventful and healthy pregnancy. The alfredo sauce looks like it will make the menu this week as DH will be at work for some dinners. Thanks!
37 Sara October 31, 2011 at 3:51 pm: This is just how we make alfredo sauce and love it! Congratulations on being pregnant. That is great.
38 Emily Marie October 31, 2011 at 3:53 pm: Congratulations! I hope your pregnancy goes smoothly and quickly and safely for you and baby!
39 Leigh Anne October 31, 2011 at 5:30 pm: Congrats indeed! How exciting! And thanks for the Alfredo recipe…..we love alfredo anything around here. I’ve tried one similar in the past, but had forgotten about it. Thx for the reminder!
40 heather October 31, 2011 at 5:49 pm: congratulations!!! such happy news : )
41 Michaela October 31, 2011 at 6:05 pm: wow, congrats! hope all goes well.
you are incredible for keeping up with your awesome blog and a growing family behind you. must be so much work and I appreciate it a lot!
42 jnl2211 October 31, 2011 at 6:07 pm: Just wanted to pop in and say “CONGRATS!!!” I hope you have a smooth pregnancy. With a just turned 2 year old and 4 month old twins, I’m excited that you’ll probably be posting fast, easy dinners more often now that you’re expecting
43 Jules October 31, 2011 at 6:21 pm: Alfredo Sauce!!! Love it!!And add garlic to and it is soo much better!!
Just thought That I would let you know that your butter and eggs are on sale again at Kwik Trip! Eggs are .99 and butter $1.99. good through 12/9! With all the baking you do and close by!
Have a good week…Jules your Kwik Trip lady!!!!!
Keep the recipes comin! Love them!!!
44 tonya October 31, 2011 at 9:28 pm: How exciting!! Congratulations!
45 Zoe October 31, 2011 at 9:42 pm: Congratulations! I love alfredo sauce!! YUM!! I’ve never knew how alfredo sauce are so easy to make. Thanks!
46 Tammy October 31, 2011 at 10:11 pm: Sooooo excited for you! Will keep you in my prayers. Hugs!
47 Loy October 31, 2011 at 10:34 pm: This looks like a great one, Mel. It is the first thing to go my Friday Finds list this week. Congratulations, and I will be praying that all continues to go well with both you and baby. How exciting for your family.
48 Bri October 31, 2011 at 10:40 pm: Mel, so so happy to hear this news. YAY!!! Our babes will be a few weeks apart! I’m 11 weeks tomorrow. I hear you on being scared about announcing. We’ve had 4 miscarriages in a row, so this time around has been extremely monitored and worrisome. Just know miscarriage drops to 2% after the 10th week of pregnancy (that’s what I keep telling myself, but I’m still a basket case sometimes). Hugs to you and your cute family. I think it’s adorable you are hoping for a cute little boy. There really is nothing better in this world than little boys! A girl would be wonderful too, but little boys melt my heart in a way a girl can’t!
49 Em October 31, 2011 at 10:55 pm: I will be trying this soon! It looks really yummy and easy. And congratulations on the pregnancy!!! I have 4 girls and I don’t dare press my luck for another one….I would probably end up with another girl!
50 Cheri Wegwitz October 31, 2011 at 11:17 pm: Congrats on the pregnancy!!!! I just love stalking your blog!!! P.S. Can’t wait to try this…I’ve been looking for a go-to alfredo sauce.

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