Alfredo sauce is a classic Italian dish that has become a staple in many American households. The creamy, cheesy sauce is often served over pasta, but can be used in a variety of recipes. While it is usually associated with Italian cuisine, the dish can be adapted to include a variety of ingredients and flavors. Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner solution or a comfort food classic, the possibilities are endless with Alfredo sauce.
Alton Brown has created a recipe that is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. With a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a delicious homemade Alfredo sauce that will rival anything you can find in a restaurant.
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Why You’ll Love This Alfredo Sauce Alton Brown
There are many reasons why you’ll love this Alfredo sauce recipe by Alton Brown.
- It’s rich and creamy: Alton Brown’s Alfredo sauce is made with butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, which creates a decadent and rich sauce that is perfect for pasta, seafood, or chicken.
- It’s easy to make: This Alfredo sauce recipe is simple to make and requires only a few ingredients. It can be prepared in under 20 minutes, making it a great weeknight dinner option.
- It’s versatile: Alfredo sauce is a classic Italian sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. You can use it to make traditional fettuccine Alfredo, seafood Alfredo, or even add it to soups and casseroles for added flavor.
- It’s made with real ingredients: Alton Brown’s recipe for Alfredo sauce is made with real butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese, so you know you’re getting a sauce that is both delicious and authentic.
- It’s from a trusted source: Alton Brown is a well-known chef and television personality who is known for his science-based approach to cooking. You can trust that his recipe will be both delicious and reliable.
What Is Alfredo Sauce?
Alfredo sauce is a classic Italian sauce made with butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. It is typically served over pasta, such as fettuccine, and is known for its rich, creamy texture and flavor. The sauce was first created in Rome, Italy, by a chef named Alfredo di Lelio. He created the sauce to serve at his restaurant, Ristorante Alfredo, in the early 20th century. The original recipe is simple and includes only butter, Parmesan cheese and black pepper.
The sauce is often served with fettuccine pasta, but it is also commonly paired with other pasta types such as linguine or spaghetti, and seafood or chicken. It is also a popular addition to many other dishes like soups, casseroles, and sandwiches.Today, Alfredo sauce is widely available in jars or as a powder mix, but it is easy to make at home with a few simple ingredients, such as butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese.

Alfredo Sauce Alton Brown Ingredients
- 8 oz fettuccine pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz unsalted butter
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: chopped parsley or basil for garnish
How To Make Alfredo Sauce Alton Brown
- Cook fettuccine pasta according to package instructions in a large pot of salted water.
- Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- In a separate pan, heat the butter and cream over medium heat until the butter is fully melted.
- Add Parmesan cheese and stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the sauce and toss to coat.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley or basil, if desired.
Note: You can also add minced garlic or shallots to the sauce for added flavor. If you find that the sauce is too thick, you can add more cream or milk to adjust the consistency to your liking.

Recipe Tips
Here are some recipe tips to help you make the best Alfredo sauce:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The key to a delicious Alfredo sauce is using high-quality ingredients such as fresh heavy cream, unsalted butter, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Don’t boil the cream: When heating the cream and butter, be sure to heat it over medium heat and not boil it. Boiling the cream can cause it to separate, and the sauce will not be smooth and creamy.
- Add cheese slowly: When adding the Parmesan cheese to the sauce, be sure to add it slowly and stir it constantly until it’s fully melted. This will help to prevent the cheese from clumping and ensure a smooth sauce.
- Season to taste: Be sure to season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. The amount of seasoning you’ll need will depend on your personal preference and the saltiness of your cheese.
- Make it in advance: The sauce can be made a day in advance, then reheated gently over low heat. This will give the flavors time to meld together and intensify.
- Use it as a base: Alfredo sauce can be used as a base for many other dishes, you can add sautéed vegetables, cooked shrimp, chicken, or other proteins to it.

What To Serve With Alfredo Sauce?
Alfredo sauce is typically served over pasta, such as fettuccine, but it can also be paired with a variety of other dishes. Here are some popular options to serve with Alfredo sauce:
- Fettuccine Alfredo: The classic dish, fettuccine Alfredo, is made by tossing cooked fettuccine pasta with Alfredo sauce.
- Chicken Alfredo: This dish is made by adding sautéed or grilled chicken to the Alfredo sauce.
- Seafood Alfredo: You can add seafood like shrimp, scallops, or crabmeat to the Alfredo sauce for a delicious seafood dish.
- Vegetable Alfredo: This dish is made by adding sautéed or steamed vegetables, such as asparagus, broccoli, or spinach, to the Alfredo sauce.
- Alfredo Pizza: It’s a pizza with Alfredo sauce instead of tomato sauce and can be topped with cheese, vegetables, and meats.
- Alfredo Stuffed Shells: This dish is made by stuffing jumbo pasta shells with a mixture of ricotta cheese and Alfredo sauce and baking it.
- Alfredo Lasagna: You can use Alfredo sauce instead of traditional red sauce in lasagna to make a creamy and rich version of this classic dish.
How To Store Alfredo Sauce?
Alfredo sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Here are some tips for storing Alfredo sauce:
How To Reheat Alfredo Sauce?
There are a few different ways to reheat Alfredo sauce, depending on your preferences and the equipment you have available. Here are a few options:
- On the stove: Gently reheat the sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the desired temperature. Be sure to stir it constantly to prevent burning.
- In the microwave: Transfer the sauce to a microwave-safe dish and reheat it in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until it reaches the desired temperature.
- In the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Transfer the sauce to an oven-safe dish and cover it with foil. Heat the sauce in the oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until it reaches the desired temperature.
- Add a touch of liquid: Alfredo sauce can thicken up when it’s chilled, so you may need to add a little bit of milk or cream to loosen it up.
- Be Careful not to Overheat: Alfredo sauce can easily curdle if overheated, so be sure to heat it gently and stir it frequently.
FAQ Section
How to thicken Alfredo Sauce?
1. Add some grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce and stir until melted. 2. Whisk in some cream or half-and-half to thicken the sauce. 3. Add a few tablespoons of butter to the sauce and stir until melted. 4. Thicken the sauce with a roux, which is a mixture of equal parts butter and flour. 5. Puree some of the cooked pasta in the sauce to thicken it. 6. Use a cornstarch slurry made by combining equal parts cornstarch and cold liquid, such as water or chicken broth. Whisk the slurry into the sauce and cook until thickened.
Can I Use Milk Instead Of Cream To Make Alfredo Sauce?
Yep! We like to go all out with heavy whipping cream because this sauce is meant to be delicious, but if you’d want to lighten it up and cut down on calories a bit, that’s absolutely great with us! If you’d like to lighten it up and cut back on calories a bit, that’s totally cool with us! It is possible to get good results using either conventional heavy cream, half-and-half, or whole milk. Keep in mind that the sauce will likely have a lower fat percentage the more water it contains.
What are some other ingredients that can be added to Alfredo sauce?
Garlic, onions, mushrooms, spinach, prosciutto, and a variety of other seasonings and herbs are some of the other components that can be included in an Alfredo sauce.
Is Alfredo sauce healthy?
Because of the amount of fat and calories that are contained in Alfredo sauce, it is not regarded to be a healthy choice. On the other hand, it is possible to prepare it with ingredients that contain less fat, which will result in a lower calorie count.
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Alfredo Sauce Alton Brown Nutrition Fact
- Calories 1075
- Total Fat 102g
- Cholesterol 298mg
- Sodium 2423mg
- Potassium 311mg
- Dietary Fiber 0.4g
- Sugars 3.2g
- Protein 28g
- Vitamin A 83%
- Vitamin C 16%
- Calcium 83%
- Iron 6%