Alfredo Sauce with Basil
Only five simple ingredients are needed to make this alfredo sauce with basil! It’s such an easy recipe and will quickly become one of your favorite recipes to make. The creamy consistency pairs with all types of pasta, vegetables, or chicken, making it a delightful treat for your taste buds.
I love good food, preferably simple recipes that are still delicious. What I love about this easy pasta sauce is that it’s foolproof for any beginner cook to make. You can make it like a traditional Alfredo dish with fettuccini or use spaghetti squash zucchini noodles to keep it lower in carbs.
No matter what you pair it with, you can be certain that it adds a boost of flavor to every bite. I keep the needed ingredients on hand for when the craving for this homemade Alfredo sauce hits.
Speaking of must-make sauces, be sure to try this Rosemary Cream Sauce and this Keto Cheese Sauce for more fun flavors.
Ingredients
- Butter – This adds richness to each bite.
- Minced garlic – While you can use garlic powder, the minced garlic really does enhance the taste.
- Heavy whipping cream – Using heavy cream adds a nice texture and also more richness.
- Grated parmesan cheese – Freshly grated parmesan cheese has the best flavor.
- Salt and pepper – Add as much or as little as you’d like.
- Fresh basil – Fresh basil adds the perfect pop of fresh flavor.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Alfredo Sauce with Basil
Step One: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
Step Two: Stir in the heavy whipping cream and bring to a low boil.
Step Three: Let it simmer for a few minutes to thicken. Once it starts to thicken, reduce it a bit.
Step Four: Add and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Simmer for a couple more minutes to thicken. Add salt and pepper. Stir in the fresh basil.
Top Tip💡
Be sure to let the cream sauce thicken as you’re making the recipe. It’s important for the texture.
Variations
- Basil – You can add varying types of basil to this sauce. I normally use sweet basil.
- Basil pesto – You can stir in a small amount of pesto with the basil to change the flavor.
- Pepper – You can use black pepper or white pepper for more taste.
See this Almond Pesto Recipe for one of my favorite pesto options!
Equipment
The great thing about making pasta sauces at home is that you don’t need a ton of equipment. Really, the only thing that you need is a pan that you can heat over medium heat.
Storage
I’m prefer to use this sauce right away. That being said, you can save and store it for later. Let the sauce cool to room temperature and then store it in an airtight container with a lid.
Keep it in the fridge, and reheat on low in the microwave. It may solidify in the fridge. I recommend eating within 2 days of making it for the best results. You’ll likely need to give it a stir after heating it back up as well.
Due to the heavy whipping cream, this shouldn’t be frozen.
Common Questions
It’s up to you! You can serve the basil alfredo sauce over angel hair pasta, gluten-free pasta, zucchini noodles, or even just have it as a topping for some baked chicken and rice. There are numerous options for using this delicious recipe.
If the sauce is too thick for your liking, you can add a bit more heavy whipping cream or even a little bit of milk. Just a little will go a long way, so be careful not to add too much. You can always stir, then add a bit more if needed.
It is. If you ignore it and stir while it’s on the stove, it can burn and stick to the bottom of the pot. At that point, you’d likely need to start over because you’d be tasting a hint of burnt in the sauce, and no one wants that.
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Alfredo Sauce with Basil
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 tsp minced garlic
- 1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh basil julienned
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic to the butter, and saute for 30 seconds.
- Stir in the heavy whipping cream and bring it to a low boil.
- Simmer for several minutes until it has thickened and reduced just a bit.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan. Simmer gently for a few more minutes to thicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir in the fresh basil. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
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This is a favorite of ours. We make it regularly to eat on Skinny noodles or zucchini and squash. Even our 13 yr old likes it…that says a lot!