Homemade Alfredo Sauce with milk is thick, rich and creamy. It is made with whole milk instead of heavy cream and only takes.
Compared to other homemade alfredo sauce recipes it is a thick and creamy and made without cream or cream cheese but you would never know it. It is one of my favorite Alfredo Sauce recipes.
This recipe was originally shared on October 23, 2011 and has been updated with more helpful information and new photos on February 13, 2022.
Yes, you can make an amazingly delicious homemade Alfredo sauce with milk instead of cream that is thick and creamy!
And you can make homemade fettuccine alfredo in 30 minutes or less.
Alfredo Sauce with Milk
Homemade Alfredo Sauce is very easy to with milk.
And it is the best Alfredo sauce recipe you can make without heavy cream cheese or cream. Once you taste this homemade milk version you will never buy jarred Alfredo sauce again!
How to make homemade Alfredo sauce with milk instead of cream
One day I was in the mood for some Fettuccine Alfredo but didn't have any Alfredo sauce on hand.
I decided to make my own alfredo sauce using a basic cream sauce and fresh parmesan cheese. It turned out so good I have never looked back.
This homemade alfredo sauce recipe made with milk is thick rich and creamy.
And by making it yourself you can season it to your own liking and it tastes so much better homemade.
Easy Alfredo sauce
This recipe will make enough Alfredo sauce to cover 1 pound of pasta.
You can divide it in half with no problem if you need to prepare a smaller amount.
Alfredo Sauce with milk ingredients
You only need 4 ingredients plus salt and pepper to make this homemade alfredo sauce recipe and 1 pound of cooked pasta.
- 1 lb. of fettuccine noodles or pasta of choice, cooked
- 4 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups of whole milk
- ½ to ¾ a cup of grated Parmesan cheese or a parmesan cheese blend
Recipe Prep
- Cook the pasta as directed on the box in the salted water before you start making the sauce. It takes about 10 minutes to cook fettucine noodles el dente.
- You need to have the pasta done at about the same time your sauce will be finished.
Directions to make the Alfredo sauce
- Step 1: Add the butter, salt, and pepper to a heavy bottomed, medium-sized pot or skillet. Heat over a medium heat.
- Step 2: Once the butter has melted add the flour and whisk until smooth, removing all lumps from the flour.
Whisk to combine the flour with the melted butter.
Whisk until the flour and butter are lump free.
- Step 3: Slowly pour the milk in and whisk until smooth again. Turn the heat up a bit to about medium-high.
- Step 4: Add ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese, whisk until combined. Taste to see if the flavor of Parmesan is strong enough for you. If not, add the remaining Parmesan cheese.
Continue whisking until the sauce has thickened, 5 to 8 minutes.
📌Pro Cooking Tip
The sauce will thicken even further as it cools. If the sauce cools and thickens too much before you mix it with the pasta you add a splash of milk to pasta water to thin it with the sauce.
- Step 5: Pour the Alfredo sauce over the pasta and mix until the pasta is evenly coated. If you have cooked it in a skillet you can add the pasta to the skillet and toss to cover the pasta with the sauce.
Serve immediately with a crusty french bread or a slice of homemade white bread.
This homemade alfredo sauce with milk recipe is very versatile and can be used to make so many different alfredo recipes.
Recipe FAQs
You can make a rich and creamy alfredo sauce using whole milk and flour instead of heavy cream.
The difference between fettuccine and linguine pasta noodles is the shape of the pasta and the ingredients used to make the. Fettuccine pasta noodles is made with egg and are wide flat noodles. While linguine noodles are made with out egg and are a thin, narrow flat noodle.
Recipe Expert Tips
- Pot size: Use at least a 2 quart size sauce pan or a wide skillet. You don't want to use too small of a pot because you will be whisking the sauce as it cooks and thickens. If the pot is too small the sauce could splash and drip over the side of the pot making a big mess.
- Using a skillet: If using a skillet the sauce will thicken even faster.
- Thickened sauce: Alfredo sauce will thicken as it cools. You can thin it by adding a small amount of milk or pasta water.
- What kind of Parmesan cheese to use: Please use real grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
- Leftovers: Leftover alfredo sauce can be refrigerated for up to a week.
- Freezing: Leftover Alfredo sauce can be frozen for up to a month. Thaw and thin with a little milk and reheat before using.
- Add ins: You can add cooked broccoli and cooked or grilled chicken if you like to make Chicken Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo. Add the heated extras when you mix the sauce with the pasta and serve.
- Spicy alfredo: Add a ½ to 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the sauce to make spicy alfredo sauce.
Check out my Alfredo Sauce Recipe page for more delicious homemade Alfredo sauce recipes.
More alfredo recipes you'll love
Check out more delicious homemade alfredo recipes below.
Print the Alfredo Sauce with milk recipe below
Email questions or recipe requests to flouronmyface@gmail.com. Follow me on Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.
Alfredo Sauce with milk
Ingredients
- 1 lb. box of fettuccine noodles (cooked)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup shredded real Parmesan cheese ((plus more for garnish))
Instructions
Prep
- Cook the pasta as directed on the box in the salted water. Start boiling the pasta water about 10 minutes before you start making your sauce. You want to have the pasta ready at about the same time your sauce will be finished.
How to make Alfredo Sauce with milk
- Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Add the salt and pepper to the pan and whisk together.
- Add the flour and whisk until smooth, removing all lumps.
- Slowly pour the milk into the pan and whisk until smooth.
- Add the shredded Parmesan cheese to the pan and whisk until melted and combined with the milk. Taste and adjust the amount of Parmesan cheese if needed.
- Continue whisking until the sauce has thickened, 5 to 8 minutes. The sauce will thicken even further as it cools. If it thickens too much before you can add it to your pasta thin it with a little pasta water or milk.
- Drain the cooked pasta and pour into a large serving bowl. Pour the Alfredo sauce over the pasta and toss until the pasta is evenly coated with the Alfredo sauce.
- Serve immediately with a crusty French bread.
- Makes enough sauce to cover one pound of Fettucine pasta noodles. Will make 6 to 8 serving.
Video
Recipe Expert Tips
- Pot size: Use at least a 2 quart size sauce pan or a wide skillet. You don't want to use too small of a pot because you will be whisking the sauce as it cooks and thickens. If the pot is too small the sauce could splash and drip over the side of the pot making a big mess.
- Using a skillet: If using a skillet the sauce will thicken even faster.
- Thickened sauce: Alfredo sauce will thicken as it cools. You can thin it by adding a small amount of milk or pasta water.
- What kind of Parmesan cheese to use: Please use real grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
- Leftovers: Leftover alfredo sauce can be refrigerated for up to a week.
- Freezing: Leftover Alfredo sauce can be frozen for up to a month. Thaw and thin with a little milk and reheat before using.
- Add ins: You can add cooked broccoli and cooked or grilled chicken if you like to make Chicken Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo. Add the heated extras when you mix the sauce with the pasta and serve.
- Spicy alfredo: Add a ½ to 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the sauce to make spicy alfredo sauce.
Phyllis
I was looking for an alfredo sauce without cream cheese and heavy cream. I like to make recipes with ingredients that are healthier. Thanks for all your great recipes.
Leslee k
Finally! Dont have to run to the store just to get half and half or heavy cream… which are both pricey! Added some old bay seasoning and it was delightful! Perfect.
Richard
Made this recipe to go over left-over Penne, Thanksgiving turkey & ham. Threw in some frozen peas an chopped some Portabello mushrooms and a splash of Pinot Grigio. Turned out great.
mary anderson
EEEZZZ!peeezzee! Yum.
Eileen
It was very good. It was to thick so I will have to add more milk.
Lynn
I tried this last night, and it was super simple and the most delicious alfredo sauce I have ever had. I love alfredo and have tried many recipes, but none compared to yours! Thank you so much for the recipe
Arlene Mobley
Lynn
I'm so happy you enjoyed the recipe!
Kathy
My son is beginning to be interested in cooking. With an egg allergy he sometimes gets frustrated finding recipes for foods he loves. We stumbled upon this recipe and it’s was fantastic!! Super easy, most delicious and we had all the ingredients at home already. This is home run and has become a family favourite. Thanks
Ashley Tessier
My mom said tonight "Ashley what are you making for dinner." my head immediately went to pasta, it's my favorite food ever. I looked in the pantry to see no alfredo sauce so I went to my laptop and searched alfredo sauce recipe. yours was the only one without heavy whipping cream. its so delicious, I know have your recipe hung up on my bedroom wall. thanks for sharing your recipe!
Autumn Romano
I'm not a fan of measuring, but I needed an ingredients list and used your recipe. It turned out delicious and my husband was originally licking his plate. He said it was the best sauce he's ever had. Thank you for this recipe!!!
Alana
Scrolled all the way to the bottom of the longgggg list of comments just to say. WOW! Delicioussssssssssss, thank you! Used whole wheat flour, was so darn good, ever going back to a jar would be insane!
Mel
Absolutely Delicious!!! My family and I love Pasta...I especially LOVE white sauce. I have always prepared Alfredo Sauce with Heavy Whipping Cream (which is quite expensive in the city I live in - approximately $10.00 per serving). I am thankful I found your recipe!!! The ingredients were already in my refrigerator :-). I cooked it for lunch today for my two-year old daughter (who loved it!) and I.... and we will enjoy the leftovers for dinner when my teenage son arrives home. Your recipe will surely be a family favorite for us! I plan to top mixed veggies with this sauce next, It will be very satisfying!!!! Thank you very much for sharing!!!!!!
Arlene Mobley
Mel
Thanks for stopping by! I am so glad you loved the alfredo sauce recipe. It is amazing if I do say so myself. Wow, heavy whipping cream is very expensive where you live. This is why I love this homemade alfredo recipe with milk because the ingredients are easy and it tastes delicious!
Emily
Amazing!!!! Much better than store bought!
Arlene Mobley
Emily
Thank you! I'm so happy to hear you loved the Alfredo recipe. It is one of my favorites!
Bee
This Is so easy to make and so yummy! My grandma never reads the label and I grabbed the alfredo to find out produced with genetic engineering. NO THANK YOU. So i googled how to make without cream and I found this. It is delicious! I substituted parmesan cheese with mozzarella and Colby jack mix and it turned out so good. I made it with three cheese tortellini. I jarred up and froze the remaining suace:)
Barb T
I cannot believe I found this recipe! I can't tell you how often I've looked for a decent Alfredo sauce but hated the idea of loading cream, butter and cream cheese in one pot! I had a strong craving, yet again, and google Alfredo with milk... Your recipe came up, and wham! I fell in love! I halved the recipe like you suggested, as it was only for myself. I did throw in about 1 tsp of dried basil. Oh ... my.... God!
I ate less than half the sauce, but I can tell you, I have the remainder on the back of my stove, in a covered pot, because it is not going to see the next day.
It is very rare that I do not "tweak" a recipe because I am unhappy with something. Your recipe is one I am proud to say, DO NOT CHANGE A SINGLE THING!
Thank you!
Arlene Mobley
Barb so glad you enjoy the homemade alfredo recipe!
Carrie A Ostergard
I needed an Alfredo recipe and my friend sent me this one. Absolutely perfect!!!
Arlene Mobley
Carrie
Happy to hear you enjoyed the Alfredo recipe!