Alfredo Sauce with Cream Cheese

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We all love the rich and creamy taste of Alfredo sauce – there's nothing better than the classic combination of butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese.

But have you ever tried Alfredo sauce with cream cheese? It adds a tangy flavor and creamier texture that takes your Alfredo to the next level.

If you're looking for something new to try, this is it.

Alfredo Sauce recipes are some of the tastiest and easiest pasta sauce recipes you can make.

Rich Alfredo Sauce made with cream cheese in a bowl with a skillet in the background.

Alfredo sauce with cream cheese comes together in about 20 minutes and makes a great meal on busy nights when you don't have much time to cook dinner.

Cook and drain the pasta first before starting the Alfredo sauce and serve the dish as soon as the alfredo sauce is finished for the creamiest dish.

Homemade Alfredo Sauce with Half and Half or Alfredo Sauce with Milk are two other delicious Alfredo sauce recipes you might also like to try.

Ingredients

Below is a quick look at the ingredients and directions. You can find the entire ingredient amounts and step by step directions in the recipe card below. P. S. You can also save your favorite recipes to your personal recipe box! ⬇️

Fettuccine pasta: classic alfredo is made using fettuccine noodles but any shape pasta can be used. Penne pasta and Angel hair pasta works very well also.
unsalted butter
garlic: freshly minced garlic cloves add the best garlic flavor.
cream cheese: full fat cream cheese makes the thickest and creamiest alfredo sauce.
whole milk: whole milk is recommended for the thickest and creamiest sauce. You could substitute a low fat milk or half and half if needed.
real Parmesan cheese: skip the can for the best alfredo sauce. A triangle sized block of fresh Parmesan cheese lasts a very long time and the extra cost is worth it because the flavor is so much better.
seasonings: salt, ground black pepper, dried red pepper flakes and fresh parsley.
fresh spinach leaves are optional

Step by Step Directions

Step 1: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 2 minutes to wake up the flavor of the garlic. Do not brown the garlic or it will turn bitter.

Melted butter and minced garlic in a large skillet on a burner.

Step 2: Add the cubed cream cheese to the pan. As it starts to melt use a stiff metal whisk to stir it until it becomes creamy.

Melting cream cheese with butter and garlic in a skillet.

If the bottom of the pan starts to brown decrease the heat slightly. You can also add a splash of the milk to help it along.

Step 3: Once the cream cheese has melt and is creamy and lump free slowly add the milk ¼ to ½ cup at a time while whisking.

Continue to add the milk in small increments while continuedly whisking until all of the milk has been mixed into the melted cream cheese.

4 images showing the steps to thickening alfredo sauce with cream cheese.

Step 4: To the skillet add 1 ½ cup of finely grated parmesan cheese, the ground black pepper, salt and red pepper flakes if using. Whisk together.

Step 5: Bring the alfredo sauce ingredients to a boil whisking all the entire time to prevent scorching. Boil for 3 to 5 minutes to thicken.

Adding Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to the Alfredo sauce in the skillet.

Step 6: Remove the skillet from the heat and stir the 🍃 Spinach leaves into the thickened alfredo sauce.

Alfredo sauce with cream cheese and spinach in a shallow skillet.

Step 7: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and mix until the pasta is covered in the creamy alfredo sauce.

Mixing hot alfredo sauce with fettuccine noodle in a skillet.

Makes about 3 cups of cream cheese Alfredo sauce which is enough pasta sauce to cover 16 ounces of cooked fettuccine.

Creamy spinach alfredo sauce over fettuccine pasta in a bowl.

Alfredo Sauce Add-Ins

If you want to make chicken fettuccine alfredo with this recipe you can stir in bite size pieces or strips of cooked or grilled chicken into the sauce.

sliced grilled chicken
fresh baby spinach
cooked and sliced Italian sausage

Reheating leftover alfredo sauce

Once the sauce has cooled and or has been refrigerated the creamy sauce will thicken. You can mix some milk, half and half or cream into it as you reheat it.

❓Recipe FAQs

What is the secret to thick alfredo sauce?

The cream cheese and Parmesan cheese is what is the secret to the thickest creamiest Alfredo sauce made with cream cheese.

Will Alfredo sauce thicken as it sits?

Yes, Alfredo sauce will thicken as it cools. To thin the Alfredo sauce add a small amount of cream, milk or half and half when you are reheating it.

Alfredo sauce with cream cheese is an incredibly flavorful and creamy pasta dish that's quick and easy to make. The combination of savory, creamy, and garlicky ingredients create a beautiful harmony of flavors.

By adding cream cheese to Alfredo sauce, you get a richer, creamier sauce that packs a bigger punch of flavor.

While the classic Alfredo dish will always be a staple of Italian cuisine, Alfredo sauce with cream cheese is a delightful twist that will spice up your next dinner.

Try it out for yourself and experience the glorious harmony of flavors that cream cheese and Alfredo sauce create. Bon appétit!

A skillet filled with homemade alfredo sauce made with cream cheese.

📌Pro Cooking Tips

Only takes 22 minutes to make.
Storing Leftover Alfredo Sauce: If you have leftovers place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. Leftover Alfredo sauce will last a couple of days. Reheat eat within 3 days.
Reheating leftover alfredo sauce: To thin the thickened leftover alfredo sauce and bring it back to its original rich and creaminess stir a small amount of milk, cream or half and half into it. You can reheat the leftovers in the microwave which is the easiest way or you can do it in a skillet on the stove.
Reheating on the stove: If using the stove to reheat warm the alfredo on low to medium to prevent scorching. Start by adding a splash or two of milk and stirring it in as the sauce starts to warm up in the microwave or on the stove.
How much to add? You can add up a ¼ cup of milk before it will change the flavor. Stir well to blend and reheat completely before serving.