This keto alfredo sauce recipe is the best way to satisfy comfort food cravings in minutes! Unlike some store-bought sauces, this one is naturally low carb and keto, without any unusual ingredients or thickeners, like cornstarch. Serve this easy low carb alfredo sauce recipe with all your favorite keto pasta alternatives, pair with conventional pasta for non-keto eaters at the table, or serve it with my very favorite — keto egg noodles!
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What Is Alfredo Sauce?
Unlike traditional red sauces, alfredo is a cream sauce traditionally made with butter, parmesan cheese, and spices. Store-bought sauces may also contain thickeners (such as flour or cornstarch), vegetable oils, or other added ingredients to keep them shelf-stable.
Low Carb Alfredo Sauce Ingredients
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for quick and easy alfredo sauce, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Butter – I use grass-fed butter here, but any unsalted variety will work.Garlic – This keto garlic alfredo sauce doesn’t skimp on garlic! I use 6 cloves here, but feel free to reduce the amount if you want less garlic. It’s also fine to substitute garlic powder (use 3/4 teaspoon in place of the 6 cloves).Heavy Cream – This adds richness to the sauce while keeping it pourable. If you need an alternative and don’t mind the flavor, you can also substitute full-fat canned coconut milk. I don’t recommend almond milk, as the final sauce will be too thin.Grated Parmesan Cheese – This adds flavor and thickens the alfredo sauce. Grate it fresh if possible, or use a pre-grated kind. Shredded parm should also work, but might take longer to melt. As an alternative, cream cheese can act as a thickener, but the flavor is completely different, so I don’t really recommend it unless you want a more tangy cream sauce.Sea Salt & Black Pepper – You’ll want to add a little more than you think you’ll need, since the sauce will mellow out after mixing with ingredients like pasta or vegetables. If you don’t like the appearance of black pepper in your sauce, use white pepper instead.Nutmeg – It’s a classic ingredient for any easy alfredo sauce recipe, but you can omit it if you like.
How To Make Alfredo Sauce From Scratch
This section shows how to make low carb keto alfredo sauce, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
Saute. Add butter to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds.Simmer. Add heavy cream, bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, and continue simmering until sauce thickens and reduces by roughly 1/3. The larger your saucepan, the faster it will reduce.
Thicken. Reduce heat and gradually whisk in parmesan cheese until smooth. Add spices to taste and adjust sauce for thickness. (Add cream if sauce is too thick, or add additional cheese if sauce is too thin.)
No need to complicate this sauce! Get answers to all your questions here.
How To Thicken Alfredo Sauce?
This alfredo sauce recipe contains no thickeners, because it thickens naturally from the cheese, unlike other jarred sauces that rely on starches or flour. If you do wish to thicken the sauce more without adding substantial carbs, you can add more grated parmesan to your liking, or try a keto friendly cornstarch substitute.
Is Alfredo Sauce Keto?
Yes, with many high-fat ingredients and minimal carbohydrates, alfredo is naturally keto friendly. Some varieties (especially store-bought ones) contain extra ingredients that increase the carb count, so check labels and recipes to know exact macros.
Is Alfredo Sauce Gluten-Free?
Traditional alfredo is naturally gluten-free, and even store-bought sauces often avoid using gluten. Always check labels to be certain, though!
How Many Carbs In Alfredo Sauce?
This alfredo sauce recipe has 2.8g net carbs per 1/4 cup serving. Carbs in alfredo sauce at the store or at restaurants can vary widely, depending on what is in them.
Storage Instructions
Store this easy keto alfredo sauce recipe in a covered container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Can You Freeze Alfredo Sauce?
Yes, you can freeze homemade alfredo sauce. Transfer it to an airtight container (ideally a freezer bag) and freeze for 2-3 months. It may be lumpy after thawing, but follow the reheating instructions to fix this.
Reheating Instructions:
If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight or reheat directly from frozen. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave at low power until warm, stirring often to break up any lumps. If it’s still not smooth, you can give it a quick blend. Since this sauce thickens during storage, you can thin it out with a little more cream as needed when you reheat it.
What To Make With Alfredo Sauce
Now that you know how to make easy alfredo sauce with heavy cream, you probably need ideas for ways to use it. Here are some recipes you can pair with this sauce, with no wheat-based noodles whatsoever!
Keto pasta – This sauce tastes delicious with zucchini noodles (a.k.a. zoodles), shirataki noodles, or in spaghetti squash alfredo. My absolute favorite, pictured above, are keto egg noodles.Easy meats – Drizzle alfredo on top of juicy baked chicken, grilled shrimp skewers, or even pan seared salmon.Roasted veggies – Roasted asparagus, roasted broccoli, and oven roasted brussels sprouts pair well with this creamy sauce.Delicious dinners – Try this sauce on chicken crust pizza, swap it for the pesto in this chicken cauliflower casserole (or include in other low carb casseroles), or use it as a dipping sauce for keto pigs in a blanket.
This reader favorite recipe is included in The Wholesome Yum Easy Keto Carboholics’ Cookbook! Inside this beautiful hard cover keto recipe book, you’ll find 100 delectable, EASY keto recipes to replace all your favorite carbs: bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, desserts, and more… each with 10 ingredients or less! Plus, a photo, macros, & tips for every recipe. ORDER NOW Share your recipe picture by tagging @wholesomeyum and hashtag it #wholesomeyum on Instagram, or in our Facebook support group, too – I’d love to see it! Recipe from The Easy Keto Carboholics’ Cookbook.
