How to Make Alfredo Sauce

Guide Note Looking for a quick and fabulous meal that you can make in under 30 minutes? Then learning how to make Alfredo sauce is for you. This delicious sauce is made with three basic ingredients. Add pasta, diced chicken or seafood and a nice bottle of wine, and you have a tasty meal that any guest will devour.

Table of Contents

Alfredo Sauce Tips

  1. Using pre-grated cheese will save on preparation time.
  2. Add cheese slowly so it does not clump.
  3. If you do not continuously stir your Alfredo sauce, the cheese will settle at the bottom of the pan and burn.
  4. For a thicker sauce, add a little flour.
  5. Try the sauce over vegetables for an extra treat.
  6. Use only salted butter for your sauce.

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Introduction

  • Pasta is loved the world round. What better topping for such a versatile ingredient than a rich and creamy Alfredo sauce? You'll find Alfredo sauce used everywhere from your grandmother's kitchen to fancy four star restaurants, but why not learn to make it yourself?

What You'll Need

(Creative Commons photo by Rizka Budiati)
(Creative Commons photo by Rizka Budiati)
  • Because of its rich flavor and creamy texture, many people assume that making an Alfredo sauce is a difficult and time-consuming task. In truth, making a basic Alfredo sauce is a very simple process.

Ingredients

Equipment

  • 1 Large Saucepan
  • Cheese Grater
  • Large Spoon (preferably wooden or plastic)
  • A Kitchen Knife

Cooking Instructions

(Creative Commons photo by Micah Sittig)
(Creative Commons photo by Micah Sittig)
  • While cooking a basic Alfredo sauce is quite simple, you must remember to stir your sauce continuously so that it does not burn.
  1. Grate both of your cheeses.
  2. Cut your stick of butter into cubes.
  3. Over a medium heat, melt butter.
  4. Add the heavy whipping cream.
    • Remember to add the cream slowly so the mixture does not splatter and burn.
  5. Bring butter and whipping cream to a simmer. Stir continuously.
  6. Add the cheese a little at a time. Stir continuously, remembering to get the sides and the bottom of the saucepan.
  7. Once all of the cheese has been added, reduce the heat.
  8. Cook for an additional 10 minutes, remembering to stir continuously.
  9. Remove from heat.
  10. Pour over your pasta and serve.
    • This amount of sauce is appropriate for approximately 1 pound of uncooked pasta. Popular types of pasta to use with an Alfredo sauce include fettuccine and rigatoni.

Cooking Tips

(Creative Commons photo by Skyler Lewis)
(Creative Commons photo by Skyler Lewis)
  • Here are some tips to make the cooking process go as smoothly as possible.
  1. Purchase pre-grated cheese.
  2. While stirring your sauce, make sure to get the bottom of the saucepan. The cheese tends to settle there and can burn easily if neglected.
  3. Use a wooden spoon or plastic spoon for stirring. This way you can let your spoon sit in the pan if you have to walk a way for a moment. A metal spoon can heat up and cause burns.
  4. If your sauce has boiled over onto your stove top, simply sop up what you can with a wet rag after your burners have been turned off and allowed to cool completely. Attack the remaining mess with a mixture of one part vinegar to two parts water.

Variations

  • There are many variations to the basic Alfredo sauce.
  1. For a little kick, try adding a clove of crushed garlic.4
  2. Some people enjoy a vegetable-laden sauce like Tomato Alfredo Sauce.5
  3. For a thicker sauce, try adding cream cheese to your recipe.6
  4. Add some sweet sausage and shrimp to your Alfredo for a filling meal.7
  5. Watching your weight? Using milk and light cream instead of heavy whipping cream can reduce this rich sauces' calorie count.8

When To Serve

  • Alfredo sauce is an easy dish to make, but because of its rich flavor, many people save this sauce for special occasions. Here are some ideas of when to serve your Alfredo sauce.
  1. Having a special anniversary? What better way to say "I love you" than with this home cooked meal?
  2. Can't afford to take your date to dinner? Why not make them your favorite pasta topped with Alfredo sauce?
  3. Because this dish is so quick to prepare, it's a great meal to make when unexpected guests show up at your front door.
  4. A home-cooked meal makes a great Mother's Day gift.
  5. Are your wedding costs getting out of control? Why not have the rehearsal dinner at your home? Add some diced chicken to your Fettuccine Alfredo and pair with a chardonnay or vidal blanc.9 This meal would please any guest.

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References for How to Make Alfredo Sauce

  1. ↑ Recipezaar: Heavy Whipping Cream
  2. ↑ Recipezaar: How To Reduce a Sauce
  3. ↑ Kraft: Cheese Products
  4. ↑ All Recipes: Alfredo Sauce WARNING: Pop-ups
  5. ↑ All Recipes: Tomato Alfredo Sauce WARNING: Pop-ups
  6. ↑ Cooks.com: Alfredo Sauce
  7. ↑ Cooks.com: Sausage and Shrimp Alfredo Linguini
  8. ↑ Food Network: Reduced Calorie Fettuccine Alfredo
  9. ↑ Wine Into: Wine and Food Pairing


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