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Homemade Alfredo Sauce with Milk

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Alfredo sauce with milk is an easy homemade pasta sauce that is ready in under 30 minutes and so simple to make!

Whole milk gives this homemade alfredo sauce a rich and creamy taste without using heavy cream. This sauce is easy to make, perfect for beginner chefs, and great for weeknights!
big pot filled with fettucine alfredo with kitchen tongs filled with pasta
two plates with pasta and Alfredo sauce, next to cheese and napkin

This easy homemade pasta sauce only requires a few ingredients and a few minutes to make. 

Most alfredo recipes need heavy cream for the base of the sauce, but this recipe utilizes whole milk instead, which you are more likely to have on hand. The sauce gets a slightly lighter texture, but tastes just as rich and creamy as what you are used to.

Other pasta recipes:

big pot filled with fettucine alfredo with kitchen tongs filled with pasta

I love how simple this recipe is to make. Its so easy that kids can do the majority of the work themselves, and so quick that you can easily make it even on the busiest of weeknights. With this recipe in your arsenal, you seriously never need to buy another jar of alfredo sauce again!

The ingredients you need to have on hand are:

  • Whole milk
  • All Purpose Flour
  • Garlic – either finely minced cloves or garlic paste
  • Unsalted Butter
  • Real Parmesan Cheese

That’s it! Plus whatever pasta you are adding to the sauce.

ingredients needed to make homemade alfredo sauce with milk

How to make alfredo sauce with milk

This recipe is really simple to make! For the full set of directions, please make sure you scroll down to the recipe card below.

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
  2. In a large dutch oven (affiliate link), melt the butter over medium-low heat.
  3. Add the garlic and saute, stirring frequently, for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the flour until well combined. It will make a paste. 
  5. Cook for a few minutes, until the mixture is bubbly and slightly darker in color.
  6. Slowly add in the milk, ¼ cup at a time, whisking in completely before adding in the next addition. It will get thicker at first, and then slowly loosen up the more you whisk in the milk.
  7. Bring to a simmer and cook, whisking constantly, for 5 minutes, to allow the sauce to thicken.
  8. Turn off the heat, add in the cheese and season with salt and pepper.
  9. Stir until you have a smooth sauce.
  10. Stir in the cooked fettuccine pasta.
  11. Garnish with additional grated cheese, freshly chopped parsley, and more pepper if desired.

Alternatives: You can also add in meat like chopped grilled chicken, chopped steak, or cooked shrimp. Stir in some peas, sliced peppers, or fresh spinach if you want, too. 

making alfredo

Want to see a video of this recipe? Check out this Instagram Reel I made showing the steps!

How to serve this to your family

Serve this delicious alfredo sauce as a side dish to an easy main dish like air fryer tilapia or herb crusted salmon. You could also serve it with grilled chicken, a nice steak, or even with turkey meatloaf.

If you want to serve a veggie beside this meal, I suggest something like garlic roasted zucchini, green beans almondine or maque choux corn.

A slice of roasted garlic sourdough bread would be amazing with it, too!

plate with fettuccini alfredo with extra cheese beside and fork twirled in pasta

Kids in the kitchen: How your kids can help you cook

Inviting your kids into the kitchen with you is an important way to help teach language skills, math skills, and to have great one on one time. But it also helps them learn important things about the food that you are cooking, and helps them be more open to trying new things.

This homemade alfredo sauce is a great recipe for kids to learn because it is simple, easy, and only has a few steps and ingredients.

  • Kids aged 1-3 can help you measure ingredients and stir in the cheese.
  • Kids aged 4-6 can do everything above plus grate the cheese, and pour in the milk.
  • Kids aged 7-10+ can help you do everything above, plus help you do all the steps.

*Please note that these recommendations are generalized, and to please use your personal discretion with your child’s skill level. And always, always supervise! Read more about how to have your children help you in the kitchen.

alfredo sauce made with milk and fettuccini pasta in white dutch oven

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big pot filled with fettucine alfredo with kitchen tongs filled with pasta

Alfredo Sauce with Milk

Whole milk gives this homemade alfredo sauce a rich and creamy taste without using heavy cream. This sauce is easy to make, perfect for beginner chefs, and great for weeknights!
4.48 from 17 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: 30 Minute Meal
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 433kcal
Author: Jenni – The Gingered Whisk

Ingredients

  • 1 lb fettuccine pasta
  • 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • ¼ cup all purpose flour
  • 3 cups AE Dairy whole milk
  • 2 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons freshly chopped parsley

Instructions

  • Cook pasta according to package directions.
  • In a large dutch oven, melt the butter over medium-low heat.
  • Add the garlic and saute, stirring frequently, for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  • Stir in the flour until well combined. It will make a paste.
  • Cook for a few minutes, until the mixture is bubbly and slightly darker in color.
  • Slowly add in the milk, ¼ cup at a time, whisking in completely before adding in the next addition. It will get thicker at first, and then slowly loosen up the more you whisk in the milk.
  • Bring to a simmer and cook, whisking constantly, for 5 minutes, to allow the sauce to thicken.
  • Turn off the heat, add in the cheese and season with salt and pepper.
  • Stir until you have a smooth sauce.
  • Stir in the cooked fettuccine pasta.
  • Garnish with additional grated cheese, freshly chopped parsley, and more pepper if desired.

Notes

Add chopped cooked chicken, shrimp, or steak to the pasta for added protein. You can also add in either spinach or peas if you want!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 433kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 836mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g

4 Comments

  1. This recipe is seriously horrible. I followed it to the T and the sauce turned out like garlic flavored glue. Literarily was coagulated glue like sticky sauce. I do not recommend it

    1. Sorry you didn’t enjoy this pasta sauce! Sounds like you needed to add more milk, it should have been nice and creamy!

  2. Could I cook the sauce in the slow cooker?

    1. Hi! I have not tried making homemade alfredo sauce in the slow cooker before!

4.48 from 17 votes (15 ratings without comment)

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