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This 3-ingredient Alfredo sauce is unbelievably easy and flavorful! With just butter, cream, and Parmesan, you can make a velvety-smooth sauce that coats pasta beautifully.
😍Why You’ll Love It
- Only 3 ingredients – Simple, classic, and no unnecessary extras.
- Rich and velvety – Smooth, buttery, and packed with cheesy goodness.
- Perfect for pasta and more – Serve it over fettuccine, use it as a base for a creamy casserole, or drizzle it over roasted veggies.
- Ready in minutes – No complicated steps, just melt, whisk, and serve!
✅What You’ll Need
🧈 Unsalted Butter – Makes a rich base and enhances the creaminess.
🥛 Heavy Cream – Adds a silky texture and balances the cheese.
🧀 Freshly Grated Parmesan – The star of the show, giving the sauce its bold, cheesy flavor. Substitute: Grana Padano or Pecorino Romano for a similar flavor.
🔪How to Make 3-Ingredient Alfredo Sauce
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally.
Reduce heat, whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan, and stir until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
✨Substitutions and Variations
- No heavy cream? Try half-and-half for a lighter version.
- Prefer a thicker sauce? Simmer for a few extra minutes to reduce it further.
- Want a garlicky kick? Add a minced garlic clove while melting the butter.
🍽️What to Serve with Parmesan Cream Sauce
This buttery, cheesy sauce pairs beautifully with pasta, Lemon Garlic Roast Chicken, seafood, and even roasted vegetables. Try it over fettuccine for a quick Alfredo-style dish, or mix it with Sautéed Mushrooms for extra depth.
🗄️Leftovers and Storage
Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Before reheating, give it a stir or shake to bring back its creamy consistency. Warm over low heat, adding a splash of cream if needed.
More Delicious Recipes
Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce Copycat
Baked Turkey Pesto Meatballs with Sun Dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce
Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce
This 3-ingredient Alfredo sauce is proof that simple ingredients make the best flavors. Try it once, and you’ll want to keep this recipe in your back pocket for every pasta night! Don’t forget to rate it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!
3-ingredient alfredo sauce
Ingredients
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream, or heavy whipping cream
- 1 ½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a 1-2 quart saucepan, melt 1 stick unsalted butter over medium-high heat.
- Pour in 1 ½ cups heavy cream and bring it to a gentle boil.
- Add 1 ½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, whisking continuously until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce reaches a thick, smooth consistency.
- Remove from heat and give it one final whisk. Serve immediately over freshly cooked pasta or transfer to a glass storage container.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I can’t believe how creamy and rich this turned out with only three ingredients.Thanks!
Chloe, that’s exactly what I hope for! Homemade always wins when it’s this easy.
Keeping the heat low helps prevent the sauce from separating and keeps it silky smooth.
Exactly, Kevin! Gentle heat is the secret to a perfect Alfredo.