Are you missing that creamy sauce from your favorite restaurant? Well white wine Alfredo sauce is easier to make than you think! Enjoy this Better Than Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce for the best pasta dish anywhere!
If you enjoy this amazing recipe - next time try Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells - it's a delicious meal!
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Why you'll love this recipe
The sauce comes together very easily! It's creamy, delicious and fancy enough for a dinner party or for an easy weeknight meal!
✔️ This is the best sauce, with minimal ingredients you probably already have on hand!
✔️ The creamy Alfredo sauce stores really well. Make an extra batch and keep half for future meals.
✔️ It can be used in an array of recipes such as casseroles, soups, or spooned over grilled meats.
Ingredients
For the exact measurements for the easy Alfredo sauce recipe, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- butter and flour for the roux.
- half and half - if you don't have half & half, see the tips below to learn how to make your own.
- freshly grated parmesan cheese - I don't recommend pre-shredded as it just won't melt as well and the sauce may be lumpy.
- shallot and fresh garlic - if you do not have a clove of garlic, substitute with ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder.
- black pepper or if you prefer, white pepper.
- dry white wine
- parsley
- fettuccini noodles, angel hair pasta, shell pasta or your favorite pasta.
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions for the homemade alfredo sauce recipe. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add the shallots and pepper. Lightly saute until the onions are translucent. It won't take long, 4-5 minutes then add the minced garlic cloves and sauté just until it becomes fragrant - about 30 seconds or so.
- Reduce heat to low and sprinkle with the flour. Continue sautéing as the sauce cooks for another minute to cook out the flour taste, stirring constantly.
- Add the wine and continue to stir constantly. Cook about another minute. The cream sauce will be very thick.
- Reduce the heat to low and slowly pour in the half & half. Continue to stir until the mixture begins to thicken - this will only take a couple of minutes. Do not allow the milk to boil as it will curdle.
- Add the parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted. Taste for seasonings. You may need to add a pinch of salt. Simmer the sauce on low for about 10 minutes. You'll want to continue to simmer it to bring all of the flavors together, so while it is cooking away, you will have time to cook the pasta.
- Remove from heat & add ½ the parsley.
- Boil noodles in a large pot according to package directions. Cook pasta to al dente, drain well, do not rinse. Reserve one cup of the pasta water.
- Place pasta in Alfredo Sauce and mix to combine. Take your time and mix it together really well. If the pasta is too stiff, add a ladle of pasta water.
- Serve topped with additional parmesan cheese & parsley.
Equipment
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- Large saucepan
- Pot for pasta
- Colander
FAQ's
Definitely! The flour in Alfredo sauce helps this sauce store well without changing the consistency whether cooled or reheated later on.
Simply add a small amount of reserved pasta water or milk until you achieve the consistency desired. It's completely normal for the sauce to thicken slightly when cooled in storage.
Reheat this sauce in the microwave, on the stovetop, or using a double boiler. Make sure to reheat the sauce slowly on low to moderate heat, stirring frequently with a splash of milk should it have thickened in storage.
Pasta water retains some of the starch and salt from the cooked pasta. It's a great liquid to add to this sauce if you need to thin it out.
Of course, but I really recommend using the fresh grated parmesan cheese.
Tips
- Use quality butter and freshly grated cheese for best taste. Pre shredded cheese is coated with shelf preserving substances that prevent cheese from melting well.
- Resist the urge to thicken the sauce with extra cheese. This sauce naturally thickens when added to pasta and as it cools.
- Low heat is required when adding the shredded cheese. Boiling can separate the dairy in milk and cheese and result in grainy sauce.
- Use half and half, it's the perfect consistency to make a creamy sauce that isn't too thick or too thin.
- No white wine? Substitute with chicken stock!
- If your buttery sauce separates it's easy to fix! Pour the Alfredo sauce into a blender or use an immersion blender. Add a tablespoon of hot water and blend until creamy and smooth.
If you don't have half and half available, make your own! Use a mixture of 1 ¼ cup whole milk and ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons heavy cream aka heavy whipping cream or fresh cream. Whisk it together and use as directed below.
Variations
- Instead of Parmesan, consider making this sauce with mozzarella cheese, gruyere, or gouda.
- I love fettuccine Alfredo sauce but you can use other types of pasta too!
- Add your choice of meat - sliced cooked chicken breasts (this dutch oven pulled chicken would be amazing!) or cooked shrimp are both delicious!
- Get a little boost of greens and added texture in this dish by adding some cooked broccoli.
- For a meaty Alfredo fettuccine, add in some sliced deli ham or crispy bacon pieces.
Storage
Refrigerate - Spoon sauce into an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze - up to 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat slowly.
Related recipes
Simple saucy pasta dishes are so underrated! You won’t need much time or ingredients to make this delicious and comforting Lemon Garlic Pasta or Pasta Puttanesca!
- Of course, this Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells with Bacon and Ranch is a great example of how you can use this creamy pasta sauce!
- If you love this recipe, be sure to try Cajun Shrimp and Chicken Pasta, that sauce is drool-worthy!
- The Ultimate Chicken Noodle Casserole is one of the most popular casseroles on the blog (or the internet for that matter!).
Serve with
- Need a side dish for your Alfredo fettuccine family meal? Nothing quite beats the combination of Alfredo and garlic bread.
- Pinot Grigio is the perfect red wine to serve with the meal.
- If you’re in the mood for something a little lighter, try this Fresh Garden Salad!
- Of course, you can’t go wrong with a side of delicious and nutritious vegetables. Brussels sprouts, roasted broccoli, and steamed green beans are all wonderful options.
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If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!
Better Than Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups half and half
- 1 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated , plus an addition ½ cup for serving
- 1 shallot minced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- 3 tablespoon parsley minced
- 16 oz pasta fettuchini noodles are traditional, but use your favorite!
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Instructions
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the shallots and pepper. Lightly saute until the onions are translucent. It won't take long, 4-5 minutes then add the garlic and saute just until it becomes fragrant - about 30 seconds or so.
- Reduce heat to low and sprinkle with the flour. Continue sautéing for another minute to cook out the flour taste, stirring constantly.
- Add the wine and continue to stir constantly. Cook about another minute. The sauce will be very thick.
- Reduce the heat to low temperature and slowly pour in the half & half. Continue to stir until the mixture begins to thicken - this will only take a couple of minutes. Do not allow the milk to boil as it will curdle.
- Add the parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted. Taste for seasonings. You may need to add a pinch of salt. Simmer the sauce on low for about 10 minutes. You'll want to continue to simmer it to bring all of the flavors together, so while it is cooking away, you will have time to cook the pasta.
- Remove from heat & add ½ the parsley.
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain well, do not rinse. Reserve one cup of the pasta water.
- Add the cooked pasta to the Alfredo Sauce and mix to combine. Take your time and mix it together really well. If the pasta is too stiff, add a ladle of pasta water.
- Serve topped with additional parmesan cheese & parsley.
Notes
- Instead of Parmesan, consider making this sauce with Mozzarella, Gruyere, or Gouda.
- I love fettuccine with Alfredo sauce but you can use other types of pasta too.
- Get a little boost of greens and added texture in this dish by adding some cooked broccoli.
- For a meaty Alfredo fettuccine, add in some sliced deli ham, crispy bacon pieces, or chopped chicken breast.
Nutrition
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Don't worry, we'll never share your email.And we decided upon Fettuccini Alfredo. This creamy deliciousness is something everyone would like! Super easy, this meal is deliciously filling and full of cheesy deliciousness! Bonus? You probably have everything you need in your pantry and fridge. Who doesn't love that?
I think you'll agree this Better Than Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce recipe is simple and amazing!
Half and half, butter, shallots (or onions), garlic and parmesan cheese. You want it to be really fancy? Sprinkle some parsley on top! Check your frig., I will bet you have everything to make this for dinner tonight!
Is your mouth watering yet? If it's not, I'm not doing my job!!!
So back to the story, the name came from my friend Nicole. She has traveled extensively and has lived or been just about everywhere including Italy. Nicole has had lots of Alfredo Sauce over the years and declared this The BEST Homemade Alfredo Sauce Ever! Well, not sure I'd take it that far, but this is darn good! 😀
Simple ingredients....fantastic food, that's what a great meal is all about! Give this recipe a try and tell me if it lives up to its name.
So tell me -
- What is your go-to meal when you're serving a crowd?
- Do you have a favorite sauce?
- Are you going to give this a try?!!
When visiting Nicole & family in Texas we were trying to figure out what to make for dinner. We had LOTS of family coming by; big kids, little kids, adults - all ages and sizes. Vegetarians, meat eaters - this is definitely a meal that pleases everyone!
If you love this recipe be sure to try the chicken spaghetti recipe next!
Recipe re-do published originally 7/30/14
Sandi
This looks absolutely delicious. Alfredo is good on everything, not just pasta ??
Bowl Me Over
That's a very good point Sandi, alfredo is such a delicious sauce!
Jennifer A Stewart
I second that notion that this is the best alfredo sauce! Love that you are not afraid of the cheese! Bring on more!!
Michaela Kenkel
My kids LOVE alfredo!! I love how easy this recipe is!! Going on the menu plan this week!
Bowl Me Over
Hey that's great Michaela - they are going to love it! Alfredo sauce is one of our favorites!!
Michelle
YUM! My daughter loves alfredo...it used to be the one thing that she always cooked for her friends! We'll have to try this version...it looks delicious!
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Michelle! I hope you & your family enjoy this yummy dish!!
Platter Talk
I rarely make alfredo because I'm always concerned about the length of time it takes to prepare. Thanks to this fantastic recipe from you, it's going on the menu this weekend and my kids are going to be SO happy! Fantastic job with another winner of a dinner idea!
Bowl Me Over
I think your kids will really love it Dan! Might even be able to sneak in some spinach or peas - soaked in that sauce the kids might not even notice! Have a great weekend Dan, thank you for stopping by!
Healing Tomato
I absolutely love a homemade alfredo sauce! That first photo in your recipe is just making me want to pick up that fork and devour the pasta. Great recipe, Deb.
Bowl Me Over
Haha Rini - I love doing those close ups! Something about breaking out the macro lens, so much fun! Ok.. one order of pasta, heading your way. Thank you!! 😀
Christie
When we go to an Italian restaurant, I usually order the al fredo because next to lasagna, it's my second fave Italian dish. This looks so delicious! Can't wait to try it.
Bowl Me Over
I love all of the delicious flavors in alfredo - just so yummy! Enjoy Christie - chow!! 😀
Jenny | Honey and Birch
Oh man, any time I can put a delicious meal on the table in 30 minutes, I'm sold.
Bowl Me Over
I agree, I'm always on the look-out for an easy weeknight meal - thanks Jenny!
Angela
I LOVE alfredo sauce!!!! This recipe sounds insanely good! Cant wait to try it, I know my family will love it!
Bowl Me Over
Awesome Angela, give it a try and let me know what you think!!
Heather Gallagher
Alfredo is my favorite sauce - but you simply can't buy jarred. I'm saving this recipe - it looks amazing!
Bowl Me Over
I totally agree Heather - store bought icky! 😀 Thanks for stopping by!
Sandra Shaffer
I love how simple this dish is and so crazy good! I can just taste that rich sauce 🙂
Bowl Me Over
Gotta have those go-to dishes for easy weeknight meals - thanks Sandra!!
justine
Yup, totally mouth-watering!
Bowl Me Over
😀 Thank you Justine!!
[email protected]'s Dinnertime Dish
This sauce looks so creamy and delicious! And I agree, it definitely would be a crowd pleaser!
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Lisa! I hope your family enjoys it as much as we do, thanks for stopping by!
Debi at Life Currents
I used to work at a large spaghetti restaurant, and they made alfredo. Your recipe is very much like theirs. Very classic. Very yummy. Nice work! And the pictures look delicious! I want some!
Bowl Me Over
One order up Debi! I'll send a plate your way! 😀 Seriously though, I appreciate the kind words on the recipe and picture. We love this recipe, thank you!
Julie
Wow this dish looks amazing!
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Julie - so easy too, yum, yum!!
Laura
You have me SERIOUSLY craving pasta now! This looks so cozy and perfect for fall!
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Laura - gotta love that yummy comfort food 😀 Thanks so much for stopping by!
Citra Kale @Citra's Home Diary
When serving a crowd, as any other Turkish people here we mostly have börek and kısır (it's Bulgur salad). But next time I should try this alfredo sauce.. it's keeper recipe absolutely. thx for sharing
Bowl Me Over
Perfect for a crowd, enjoy Citra!!
Adriana Martin (@ABRecipes)
Pasta Alfredo such a classic and a favorite at home. Loving the recipe and the tips on how to make it at home.
Bowl Me Over
Thank you Adriana - I hope you give it a try!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet
Few things speak comfort as much as a plate of hot pasta with Alfredo sauce!
Bowl Me Over
You got that right Kimberly - thanks for stopping by!!
Michelle
This is awesome. I forgot about this recipe. Thanks for jogging my memory. It's delish.
Bowl Me Over
It's a keeper, so glad you're a fan of that yummy sauce - thanks Michelle!!