Creamy, rich and comforting, this homemade gluten-free alfredo sauce is really easy to prepare and is perfect for cooking fettuccine alfredo right at home. You can also make this dairy-free with a few substitutes. Go make a big batch of this sauce and enjoy!
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Jump to:
- What is Alfredo Sauce?
- Is Alfredo Sauce Gluten-Free?
- Why This Recipe Works:
- Make Your Own Gluten-Free Fettuccine Alfredo
- Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Recipe Notes + Substitutions
- How to Make Gluten-Free Alfredo Sauce (Step by Step)
- Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks
- Recipe FAQs:
- Gluten-Free Pasta Recipes to Love:
- Other Homemade Sauces to Enjoy:
- Homemade Gluten-Free Alfredo Sauce (Dairy-Free Option)
What is Alfredo Sauce?
A creamy and rich white sauce made from butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, this is a sauce with a smooth, velvety texture and delicate, savory flavor. Seasonings such as garlic are often added to enhance the flavor.
It is a classic sauce that can be eaten in different ways, and is commonly used to top pasta dishes, particularly fettuccine alfredo.
But apart from being mixed with pasta, you can also serve this sauce as a base for other dishes, such as chicken or seafood, and it is a popular topping for vegetables such as broccoli or asparagus.
Is Alfredo Sauce Gluten-Free?
Depending on how the sauce is made, and whether flour is used as a thickener or not, will determine whether it is gluten-free.
Most alfredo sauces sold in supermarkets or offered in restaurants may use wheat flour or other gluten-containing ingredients as a thickener, which means that they are generally not safe for Celiacs or those with gluten intolerances.
Today, we’ll be making a gluten-free version of alfredo sauce that you’re going to love (plus, there are options for making it dairy-free and vegan too!)
Why This Recipe Works:
- Simple Ingredients: With just a handful of simple ingredients required for this recipe, all of which are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required)!
- Easy to Make: Ready from scratch in just 15 minutes, this easy alfredo sauce comes together easily and quickly. Perfect for when you’re in a hurry, and when you want an easy but delicious dinner, pronto!
- Amazing Texture: With a smooth, creamy texture, this delicious sauce is perfect with your favorite gluten-free pasta, on veggies, or with other dishes!
- Totally Gluten-Free with Dairy-Free Option: The best part is that this homemade alfredo sauce recipe is 100% gluten-free, and there are options to make it dairy-free too. This means that those with Celiac disease or gluten intolerances can still enjoy this creamy sauce without worries!
Make Your Own Gluten-Free Fettuccine Alfredo
Perhaps the most popular way to eat alfredo sauce is fettuccine alfredo, a comfort food dish in which flat, ribbon-like pasta noodles are coated in alfredo sauce.
The funny thing is, although fettuccine alfredo is technically pasta, this favorite dish that is hugely popular in the United States is almost never seen in Italian restaurants in Italy (we lived in Rome for almost a year and I did not see it served in any restaurant there).
To make gluten-free fettucine alfredo at home, simply cook the gluten-free fettuccine noodles until al dente according to package instructions, and then mix the cooked fettuccine with the hot alfredo sauce. That’s it!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for this homemade gluten-free alfredo sauce recipe.
(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)
Recipe Notes + Substitutions
- Butter: I used unsalted butter as the parmesan cheese is already salty, and you can always add more salt to taste after that. If you are lactose-intolerant, you can use dairy-free butter instead.
- Garlic: I love the taste of garlic, and adding in fresh minced garlic imparts a delightful savory flavor to this homemade gluten-free alfredo sauce. Alternatively, you may also use granulated garlic or garlic powder, but I honestly think fresh garlic is best.
- Gluten-Free Flour: I recommend using a good quality gluten-free all-purpose flour that is made up of lighter flours/starches (such as rice flour, tapioca starch, corn starch or potato starch). I do NOT recommend using a gluten-free flour blend that is made of heavier flours (such as garbanzo bean flour). If you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, feel free to use normal flour instead.
- Heavy Cream: Heavy cream is one of the main ingredients in alfredo sauce, so definitely don’t leave this out. If you are lactose-intolerant, you can use dairy-free heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk instead.
- Milk: I used whole milk, but if you are lactose-intolerant, you can use unsweetened non-dairy milk (I recommend either unsweetened cashew milk or almond milk).
- Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan cheese is a key component of alfredo sauce, so make sure you add it in. To make a dairy-free alfredo sauce, you can use dairy-free parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast instead.
- Salt and Pepper: Once the sauce is done, season it with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
- Parsley: Once I’ve mixed the sauce with cooked gluten-free fettuccine noodles (or veggies), I like garnishing the dish with fresh parsley for a nice pop of color against the creamy white sauce.
How to Make Gluten-Free Alfredo Sauce (Step by Step)
1. Melt Butter
Heat up a large nonstick pan over medium heat and melt the butter.
2. Sauté Garlic
Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
3. Whisk Flour
Once you start to smell the aroma of the garlic cooking add in the flour and whisk together. The mixture will begin to thicken slightly.
4. Add Heavy Cream
Add the heavy cream to the mixture.
5. Whisk Heavy Cream Until Mixture Thickens
Whisk together over medium heat as the cream thickens to basically a paste.
6. Add Milk
Add the milk. It will be clumpy at first, but whisk everything over the heat until it becomes one thick and homogeneous mixture.
7. Add Parmesan
Add the grated parmesan cheese before letting the mixture come to a low simmering boil.
8. Whisk in Cheese
Mix in the parmesan cheese and continue to whisk over the heat until the mixture thickens and starts bubbling up.
9. Season with Salt and Pepper
Add in salt and pepper to taste and mix together.
10. Toss with Pasta
Add your cooked gluten-free fettuccine pasta to the gf alfredo sauce, and drizzle on some olive if you wish, and enjoy!
Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks
- For Gluten-Free Alfredo Pasta: To make gluten free fettuccine alfredo, simply cook the gluten-free fettuccine pasta or your favorite pasta until al dente according to package instructions, and then mix the cooked fettuccine with the hot alfredo sauce. That’s it!
- Make Chicken Alfredo: If you want to add some chicken to your meal, simply add grilled chicken (or even rotisserie chicken) to the sauce!
- Optional Condiments: If you wish to add in other seasonings apart from salt and pepper, feel free to add them in (onion powder, chili powder etc).
Recipe FAQs:
To store, place the cooled sauce in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat the sauce in a saucepan until hot before serving it with pasta or other dishes.
Yes, you can! To freeze any leftover alfredo sauce, place the sauce in freezer-safe bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Let sauce thaw overnight in the refrigerator before heating up in a pan until hot.
Gluten-Free Pasta Recipes to Love:
Other Homemade Sauces to Enjoy:
P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!
PrintHomemade Gluten-Free Alfredo Sauce (Dairy-Free Option)
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups alfredo sauce 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Creamy, rich and comforting, this homemade alfredo sauce is really easy to prepare and is perfect for cooking fettuccine alfredo right at home. You can also make this dairy-free with a few substitutes. Go make a big batch of this sauce and enjoy!
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese + more for sprinkling
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnishing
Instructions
- Melt Butter: Heat up a large nonstick pan over medium heat and melt the butter.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Whisk Flour: Once you start to smell the aroma of the garlic cooking add in the flour and whisk together. The mixture will begin to thicken slightly.
- Add Heavy Cream: Add the heavy cream to the mixture.
- Whisk Heavy Cream Until Mixture Thickens: Whisk together over medium heat as the cream thickens to basically a paste.
- Add Milk: Add the milk. It will be clumpy at first, but whisk everything over the heat until it becomes one thick and homogeneous mixture.
- Add Parmesan: Add the grated parmesan cheese before letting the mixture come to a low simmering boil.
- Whisk in Cheese: Mix in the parmesan cheese and continue to whisk over the heat until the mixture thickens and starts bubbling up.
- Season with Salt and Pepper: Add in salt and pepper to taste and mix together.
- Toss with Pasta: Add your cooked fettuccine pasta to the alfredo sauce and enjoy!
Notes
Butter: I used unsalted butter as the parmesan cheese is already salty, and you can always add more salt to taste after that. If you are lactose-intolerant, you can use dairy-free butter instead.
Garlic: I love the taste of garlic, and adding in fresh minced garlic imparts a delightful savory flavor to this homemade gluten-free alfredo sauce. Alternatively, you may also use granulated garlic or garlic powder, but I honestly think fresh garlic is best.
Gluten-Free Flour: I recommend using a good quality gluten-free all-purpose flour that is made up of lighter flours/starches (such as rice flour, tapioca starch, corn starch or potato starch). I do NOT recommend using a gluten-free flour blend that is made of heavier flours (such as garbanzo bean flour). If you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, feel free to use normal flour instead.
Heavy Cream: Heavy cream is one of the main ingredients in alfredo sauce, so definitely don’t leave this out. If you are lactose-intolerant, you can use dairy-free heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk instead.
Milk: I used whole milk, but if you are lactose-intolerant, you can use unsweetened non-dairy milk (I recommend either unsweetened cashew milk or almond milk).
Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan cheese is a key component of alfredo sauce, so make sure you add it in. To make a dairy-free alfredo sauce, you can use dairy-free parmesan cheese instead.
Salt and Pepper: Once the sauce is done, season it with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
Parsley: Once I’ve mixed the sauce with cooked gluten-free fettuccine noodles (or veggies), I like garnishing the dish with fresh parsley for a nice pop of color against the creamy white sauce.
Storing/Freezing: To store, place the cooled homemade alfredo sauce in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat the sauce in a saucepan until hot before serving it with pasta or other dishes. To freeze any leftover alfredo sauce, place the sauce in freezer-safe bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Let sauce thaw overnight in the refrigerator before heating up in a pan until hot.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Sauces
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ann Marie Schoeller says
The recipe i learned in Italy while stationed in the USAF. It is easy I have been looking for the dairy free items to use thsnks for the tips.
Felicia Lim says
Hi Ann, glad you found the tips useful! 🙂
See you around the blog again sometime soon!
xx,
Felicia