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    Home » Recipes » Condiments and Sauces

    Alfredo Sauce without Heavy Cream

    Published: Jul 22, 2021 by Fox Valley Foodie · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Alfredo sauce with milk

    This easy alfredo sauce recipe without heavy cream uses milk, Parmesan, and a simple mixture of butter and flour to form the sauce. This wonderful sauce is as creamy and delicious as it is easy to make, and can be used to add a homemade touch to your favorite pasta dish.

    Alfredo sauce with milk served over pasta.

    Traditional Alfredo Sauce

    Most commonly a classic alfredo sauce recipe is made with a mixture of heavy whipping cream and Parmesan cheese. Heavy cream is thicker and fattier than milk, making it a wonderful addition to any sauce. It adds body and a wonderful mouthfeel. However, the problem with using heavy cream in alfredo sauce is few people keep heavy cream on hand. However, I always have milk on hand!

    Alfredo sauce with milk

    By using a roux as the base for this simple sauce, milk can be added in with Parmesan cheese and still create an incredibly creamy sauce, even without heavy cream. Making my homemade alfredo sauce with regular milk is the best way for me to do it because I always have these simple ingredients on hand. There is no need for a special trip to the grocery store when I am craving an impromptu pasta dinner. Best of all, I find this to be one of the easiest ways to make a creamy alfredo sauce.

    Homemade alfredo sauce in a brown bowl.

    Alfredo Sauce Ingredients

    • Butter - You want to use butter for the flavor it provides. I would avoid substituting olive oil.
    • All-purpose flour
    • Garlic - Feel free to add extra garlic if you love the flavor. However, I highly recommend using fresh garlic rather than garlic powder for this recipe.
    • Milk - Whole milk is best, followed by 2%, and 1%. The milk with the highest fat content is best for making a sauce.
    • Parmesan cheese - Grated is easiest to work into the sauce, but I have successfully used shredded Parmesan cheese as well.
    • Seasonings - Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper

    Important: Use REAL Parmesan cheese, found in the refrigerated section, not cheap the shelf-stable Kraft Parmesan cheese. You want the real thing.

    Optional: Additional seasonings like crushed red pepper or Italian seasoning can be added to fit your tastes.

    How to make alfredo sauce with milk

    To get started on this easy recipe, the first thing we do is melt butter in a medium saucepan set over medium low heat along with minced garlic and flour. The garlic will saute as the roux cooks. It is important to keep stirring your flour mixtures so it doesn't burn. You want to cook it for approximately three minutes to ensure the raw flour taste is cooked out of it.

    Next, the milk is added to transform the roux into a sauce. Don't add all of the milk at once or it will not incorporate into the roux properly. Instead, begin by adding a few splashes of milk at a time and stir them into the roux. Once the milk is blended in more can be added. Repeat this until all of the milk has been added and you have a creamy white sauce.

    We will do the same thing with the fresh grated Parmesan cheese. Begin by stirring one handful into the sauce, then add more. Repeat until all of the cheese has been added, then stir in salt and black pepper. I highly recommend using fresh ground black pepper for the best flavor. The sauce is ready to be served over your favorite pasta noodles.

    Alfredo sauce without heavy cream on white place with fettuccine noodles.

    Tips for Making Alfredo Sauce without Heavy Cream

    • Use the fattiest milk you can. I would avoid using skim milk if possible.
    • Use real Parmesan cheese, not the Kraft-style cheese in a shaker.
    • If the sauce is gritty the Parmesan likely hasn't fully melted it. Let the sauce simmer longer while stirring.
    • If the sauce is thin, simmer it longer to thicken.
    • If the sauce sits too long it will get thicker. Stir in a splash of milk to thin it out.

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    Alfredo sauce recipe without heavy cream.

    Alfredo Sauce without Heavy Cream

    This easy alfredo sauce recipe without heavy cream uses milk, Parmesan, and a simple mixture of butter and flour to form the sauce.
    4.81 from 93 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved
    Course: Sauce
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 281kcal
    Author: Fox Valley Foodie

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup butter
    • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • 2 cups milk
    • 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

    Instructions

    • Heat a medium saucepan over medium-low heat and add butter, flour, and minced garlic. Whisk to combine, and continue to cook for 3 minutes while the roux cooks. At this point, the garlic should be very fragrant and the roux should begin to darken in color slightly.
    • Begin to stir in the milk a few splashes at a time. Ensure each batch fully incorporates into the flour mixture prior to adding more. Continue until all milk has been added. Heat the sauce to a gentle simmer.
    • Add Parmesan cheese a handful at a time, stirring fully into the sauce until you have a smooth and creamy consistency.
    • Add salt and pepper.
    • Remove from heat and serve over fettuccine noodles with sliced chicken breasts to create your own homemade chicken fettuccine alfredo.

    Notes

    If the sauce is gritty most likely the cheese has not fully melted yet. Let simmer longer while stirring to ensure it does.
    If the sauce is too thin, simmer it longer to thicken.
    The sauce will thicken as it sits. Dribble in a little milk to thin it out.
    Use the best quality Parmesan cheese you can find.

    Nutritional Information

    Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 709mg | Potassium: 159mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 657IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 466mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Trevlin

      February 27, 2025 at 3:34 pm

      5 stars
      So simple, yet so exciting...

      Reply
    2. maria

      February 06, 2025 at 7:54 am

      Best recipe I’ve tried! My family couldn’t stop eating it 😋 😍

      Reply
    3. LynDee Heinen

      January 09, 2025 at 1:40 pm

      4 stars
      We really enjoyed the Alfredo and will make it again! I used 1/2 of the Parmesan, because of the other comments, and it was great. Made sautéed onions and mushrooms in olive oil, and steamed peas separately to add to the Alfredo and topped with rotisserie chicken. Made garlic butter Texas toast in the oven. Yummy!

      Reply
    4. Nokes

      November 03, 2024 at 3:23 pm

      5 stars
      Made this with margarine. I'd use a little less parmasean next time but other than that it turned out great

      Reply
      • Teresa Anderson

        November 27, 2024 at 5:39 pm

        I was taught in my teens to make this white sauce by my mother.
        It is the base for any sauce you want to make. With that said I searched out a recipe that makes a roux as the base.
        I added an extra clove of garlic, a pinch of Italian seasoning and some nutmeg and only used about a half cup or so of good quality parmesan. Turned out great

        Reply
    5. Emily Smith

      October 05, 2024 at 6:09 pm

      5 stars
      I just made this & it was delicious. I had to add more milk though. I also only had 1 cup of Parmesan so I added 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the 3 shredded cheddar cheese I had. Really, really good. I've saved this recipe & will be making it again.

      Reply
    6. Laura

      July 01, 2024 at 9:05 pm

      5 stars
      This was very delicious and easy! Much better than jarred Alfredo and I appreciate that it used staples that I always have (not always cream) and it was quick to make. I made this quickly adding some browned pre-grilled Tyson chicken strips (unbreaded), and boiled Farfalle pasta and peas. I will say that this is only as good as the Parmesan you have, so use freshly grated if you can.

      Reply
    7. natalie

      May 27, 2024 at 8:17 pm

      5 stars
      really good and very easy! i used almond milk instead of cow (still with normal cheese though) and came out great! adjusted as needed as I was cooking, adding more milk or more cheese when I needed to. also added some Italian seasoning and fresh parsley, and a little bit of pasta water which I think helped cut a little bit of the strong parmesan taste, and topped it with a bit of romano. definitely trust the process, as I almost started over when I had a dough-looking roux right after I added the first splash of milk, but kept adding and mixing and came out great!

      Reply
      • Cas

        September 04, 2024 at 6:23 pm

        5 stars
        This was great! Although I did make this a little differently due to missing some things. I used a handful of cheddar because I didn't have parmesan and a little chicken bouillon! Surprisingly, it tastes a lot like the real thing! I also used about half the amount of flour like some of the comments recommended 🙂 Loved it!

        Reply
    8. Jasmine

      February 27, 2024 at 6:36 pm

      5 stars
      LIFESAVER!! I usually buy heavy cream to soley make alfredo, and it usually goes bad before I can use it again. I tried this out tonight. It does appear a little “gravyey” but taste like alfredo. I did 2 cloves of garlic and juiced a whole lemon. After adding chicken I did a scope of pasta water. GREAT DUPE!! Thank you for taking the time to make this recipe and teach me in my new “cooking wife and mommy” journey!!

      Reply
    9. Michelle

      January 29, 2024 at 7:14 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve made this several times and it always comes out great! The family always loves it. Thank you.

      Reply
    10. Krystle

      December 27, 2023 at 7:25 pm

      5 stars
      I followed the comments and used half the amount of flour and half the amount of cheese and it was delicious! I definitely will be making this again.

      Reply
    11. Elle Friedman

      November 21, 2023 at 6:10 pm

      2 stars
      Good flavor but really goopy and thick. I’d recommend half the flour and only 60% of the Parmesan unless you want the consistency of oatmeal.

      Reply
    12. Kevin j Kearns

      October 24, 2023 at 7:13 pm

      2 stars
      If I wanted cookie dough, I would have made cookie dough. Followed the recipe exactly and came out with a solid blob. I only used 1.5 cups of parmesan and added an extra 1/2 cup of milk. It made no difference. For the cost of the ingredients, i should have just gone to the store and bought some Newman's own for $2.79
      Even with my changes though, it tasted fine which is why 2 stars and not 1

      Reply
      • Moxie

        January 14, 2025 at 8:42 pm

        4 stars
        changing the recipe is not following the recipe exactly like what are you talking about. You can't be mad that you didn't follow the recipe

        Reply
    13. Daniel Batchelor

      October 17, 2023 at 8:58 pm

      4 stars
      I have been A. cook for many years and tonight. I ran out of heavy cream in so I followed your recipe. Never really made it from scratch before like this. And it turned out really good, the customer liked it. That's all I really mattered.

      Reply
    14. Linda

      September 06, 2023 at 9:26 pm

      5 stars
      I made the recipe for shrimp with fettuccine and it turned out great. I also used the shaker type of Parmesan cheese but didn’t have enough so I also used a bread dipping seasoning that was a Parmesan cheese and garlic flavor, it has salt in it too so I bypassed the salt and used pepper only. This is a great recipe for any number of dishes like scalloped potatoes etc etc. will use again and again. Thanks!

      Reply
    15. Pixie

      August 30, 2023 at 11:12 pm

      I added homemade mushroom purée to make it a mushroom Alfredo. It’s cuts through the cheesiness some people complain about and is absolutely tasty!

      Reply
      • Erica

        September 25, 2023 at 6:45 pm

        Man my butter flour n garlic turned to a dough looking

        Reply
        • Cheyeve

          October 03, 2023 at 4:57 pm

          That’s how it should look you then slowly start to whisk in the milk. It will turn to a sauce. I hope this helps. If you didn’t keep going with the recipe try again you will never have to buy a white sauce again. The butter, flour and milk is the base for a lot of white sauces also my Mac and cheese sauce.

          Reply
    16. Robin

      June 24, 2023 at 11:00 am

      5 stars
      Thank you for sharing! I actually made this using shelf-stable Parmesan cheese from a shaker. It was still good. The texture was not quite as smooth and creamy, which is fine with me. I don't prefer very smooth sauces. (I also want macaroni-and-cheese to have semi-visible clumps or strands of cheese.)

      Reply
      • Vanessa

        November 23, 2023 at 1:41 pm

        5 stars
        Amazing!!! My whole family loves this! My one question is, is it freezable after making? I want to make a large amount and have it on hand for those quick supper nights.

        Reply
    17. Mike

      May 20, 2023 at 4:41 pm

      4 stars
      This worked really well and I now use it for a lot of similar recipes! I would just recommend using less parmesan, it overpowers the taste of the alfredo. Other than that, it's awesome!

      Reply
    18. Genine Ribaudo

      May 02, 2023 at 6:24 pm

      Awesome recipe. The key to it not being thick and too cheesy tasting is to not add too much Parmesan.

      Reply
    19. Melissa H

      March 08, 2023 at 9:35 pm

      4 stars
      Too much cheese, just tasted like I was eating parmesan pasta. Still pretty good, just not a typical Alfredo sauce. Understandable w no heavy cream. Easy recipe to doctor up with your own spices though. Ended up adding a TON of milk at the end because it was so! Thick!

      Reply
    20. Leslie H.

      February 06, 2023 at 12:12 am

      5 stars
      Searched for alfredo sauce no cream because I didn't have any on hand and found this recipe, it came out great! I added some sherry and dash of nutmeg.

      Reply
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