Name: Quick Fettuccini Alfredo
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 18 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter; 1 heaping tablespoon garlic (minced); 1 cup milk; 2 cups heavy cream; 1 8- ounce package cream cheese (at room temperature, cut into 16 pieces); 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated, about 4 ounces); 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper; Salt and pepper (to taste); 1 pound fettuccine noodles

Quick Alfredomade with cream cheese is one of my favorite 15 minute meals. It is so easy to make, comes together fast, and turns out every time.

Plates of alfredo with salad and orange slices.

Alfredo sauce is a simple white sauce traditionally served over pasta or chicken. It is really easy to make at home and is the most comforting meal. This Alfredo recipe is one that everyone raves about. It is so quick to make because you use cream cheese in the recipe. The cream cheese is a rich, creamy, and flavorful addition to Alfredo sauce. It is one of my best quick and easy weeknight meals.

There is nothing that compares to a homemade batch of Alfredo sauce. The Alfredo sauce sold in the stores just doesn’t hold a candle to making it at home. Once you try this simple recipe- you will never turn back to jarred Alfredo from the store again!

Plates of alfredo with salad and orange slices next to the pot of sauce and a colander of noodles.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect for busy nights, coming together in less than 20 minutes, making it a go-to for a fast, delicious meal.
The combination of cream cheese and Parmesan creates a rich, velvety sauce that is always satisfying.
With basic ingredients like butter, garlic, milk, cream, and cheese, you can whip up this dish with pantry staples.

Recipe Ingredients

Butter
Garlic –Minced
Milk –I like to use whole milk, but any will do
Heavy cream
Cream Cheese
Parmesan cheese– I like to use a block and grate it myself for better flavor
Spices– Salt and pepper
Fettuccine noodles

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Quick Fettuccini Alfredo

Step #1.In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook about 30 seconds.

Step #2.Whisk in milk and heavy cream until the mixture starts to simmer. Add the cream cheese and whisk until smooth, about 5 minutes.

Step #3.Stir in grated Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.

Step #4.Cook fettuccine according to package directions, drain, and serve hot with the Alfredo sauce.

Recipe FAQs

What do I use Alfredo sauce on?

Alfredo sauce is so good on a lot of different things. Fettuccine Alfredo is a popular dish. You can add chicken, shrimp, or any protein you have on hand to the pasta as well. You can use Alfredo sauce on pizza, in dips for breadsticks, or in white sauce baked pasta dishes. A million possibilities out there.

Why add cream cheese to Alfredo sauce?

Adding cream cheese to the Alfredo sauce is almost like cheating. It is easy and makes the sauce so creamy without any effort. Quick, easy, and tasty- no brainer!

How to make Alfredo sauce thicker?

No one wants runny Alfredo sauce right?! The trick to thickening up your Alfredo is letting it simmer in the pan and whisk often. The Alfredo sauce will thicken as it cooks. If you need a little more help, simply add 1-2 tablespoons of flour and whisk away.

Up close picture of a plate of alfredo pasta with salad and orange slices.

Expert Tips

For a smoother sauce, ensure thecream cheese is at room temperaturebefore adding it. If you’re short on time, cut the cream cheese into smaller pieces to help it melt faster and more evenly.
If youforgot to get your cream cheese out to soften, no worries. It’ll just take an extra5 minutesor so to cook.
Whisk the sauce continuously while adding the milk, cream, and cream cheese.Thisprevents lumpsand ensures a creamy, homogeneous texture.
For thebest flavorand texture,grate fresh Parmesan cheeseinstead of using pre-grated varieties. Freshly grated cheesemelts more smoothlyinto the sauce.
If the sauce is too thickfor your liking, thin it out byadding a few tablespoons of milkor pasta cooking water until you reach the desired consistency.

How To Store Quick Fettuccini Alfredo

Store leftover Alfredo sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Gently reheat the sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently. Add a splash of milk or water to maintain the desired consistency.