You can make a flavorful alfredo sauce without Parmesan cheese using Mozzarella cheese, garlic cloves, and Italian seasoning.
If you find yourself without Parmesan cheese when you are craving a delicious fettuccine alfredo, don't worry. This easy alfredo sauce recipe is the perfect substitute because it only uses simple ingredients and packs the same great flavor and creamy texture the whole family loves.
What is it?
Traditional alfredo sauce is made with heavy cream, and grated Parmesan cheese, which is simmered together until a thick and creamy sauce forms.
This alfredo sauce recipe without Parmesan cheese omits heavy cream in place of a roux-based cheese sauce made with shredded Mozzarella cheese. This easy-melting cheese is the perfect substitute for Parmesan because its mild flavor ensures your mozzarella alfredo sauce has a similar taste and texture to the traditional sauce.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Butter
- All-purpose flour
- Fresh garlic cloves - Feel free to add additional cloves for more garlic flavor. Otherwise, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder can be substituted.
- Milk - Whole milk is recommended. Heavy whipping cream or half and half can be substituted.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese - Other cheeses that can be substituted for Parmesan include Asiago cheese, Pecorino Romano Cheese, and Gruyere cheese.
- Italian seasoning - You can substitute fresh herbs.
- Fresh ground black pepper
- Optional - You can customize the flavor of this simple sauce by adding lemon juice, lemon zest, sun-dried tomatoes, or onion powder.
How to make it
To make this alfredo sauce without Parmesan cheese recipe, begin by melting butter in a medium saucepan set over medium low heat on your stovetop. Once the butter has melted, whisk in the flour and continue to whisk for two minutes.
Next, add the minced garlic and continue to whisk for an additional minute. Then increase the heat to medium and begin to slowly add the milk in splashes. Whisk the liquid into the flour mixture fully before adding more. Repeat until all of the milk has been added.
For best results, melt the cheese into the sauce in batches, ensuring all of the cheese has melted before adding more. Repeat until all of the cheese has been melted, then add Italian seasoning and black pepper.
If the creamy alfredo sauce is too thin, continue to simmer it for a few additional minutes. It will thicken as it simmers. If it gets too thick, you can thin out the thick sauce with a little bit more milk.
Serve immediately over your favorite pasta.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Leftover mozzarella alfredo sauce should be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to one week. This sauce can be reheated in a microwave until warmed through. If the sauce thickens too much during storage, a little milk can be added to thin it back out.
Alfredo Sauce without Parmesan Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 ½ cups milk
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Melt butter in a saucepan set over medium-low heat and then sprinkle in flour. Whisk the mixture for two minutes, to prevent scorching.
- Add minced garlic, and continue whisking until fragrant.
- Increase the stovetop to medium heat and slowly add milk, while continuing to whisk, to prevent lumps from forming. Continue until all of the milk has been added.
- Melt cheese into the sauce a handful at a time. Repeat until all of the cheese has been added and has melted into a smooth sauce. Then stir in the Italian seasoning and black pepper.
- Check the consistency of the sauce. If it is too thin, let it simmer for a couple of minutes, until it thickens. If it is too thick, make sure the cheese has fully melted, then stir in a couple of splashes of milk, as needed.
- Serve immediately over fettuccine pasta noodles.
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