But Why Make Your Own Sauce?
Why would I learn to make my own Alfredo sauce? Like most other people, I’ve always used a canned sauce. Why? Well, I used it because it made it a “quick” meal after a long day at work. I’ve used canned sauces for Alfredo, spaghetti, and a few other meals. However, to be honest, it would hurt my husband’s stomach. This was before we realized that he had a cow hormone allergy also. Once we figured that out, I had to learn how to make a lot of things from scratch just so he could eat them. That’s love, right? In the process, I learned how to make The Best 4-Ingredient Alfredo Sauce because chicken alfredo was a favorite of his!
4 Ingredients? Really?
Really! You read that right! It’s super easy to make, and it’s better for you than the canned ONLY because it doesn’t have all the preservatives in it. Now if you need something quick, go ahead and use a canned sauce! There’s no shame in that! You’re still making dinner for your family, and that’s what matters. Nonetheless, if you try this sauce… you’ll never go back.
With the name brand dairy products, I spent around $9 (it used to be much less) making the sauce. It’s an entire sauce pan though. I can usually get 4-5 helpings out of it (adult sized). The canned sauce that I liked, I would get 15 ounces of sauce for $3.19… essentially, I’d have to buy 2 cans to accommodate the amount that I needed. If you can use generic brands to make this sauce, you’ll spend around $5 or less!
Let’s Make Some Alfredo Sauce!
First, melt a stick of unsalted butter in saucepan on medium heat. Stir occasionally so it doesn’t burn. Next, take your 8 oz cream cheese, and cut it up into cubes. Once the butter is melted, add the cubes to the pan. This helps it melt faster and more evenly. Stir it as it melts.
After the cream cheese has melted, stir in 1 cup of milk. Let it heat up slightly, and then stir in an 8 oz container of grated parmesan cheese. Keep stirring as it all melts. Once melted, put the burner on low while your pasta and chicken finish cooking.
Wal-lah! You’ve made dinner! It was super easy, and it’s healthier than it used to be!
What Are Some Variations?
When I make this Alfredo, I usually use chicken patties as the meat. I know, it’s not as healthy as grilling my own chicken. I get it, but my kids love chicken nuggets… and chicken patties are basically the same thing. So they eat the meat really well.
If you’d like a healthier short cut, I’ve also bought frozen grilled chicken strips from Kroger to use in this recipe, and it was fantastic! No regrets!
I love adding broccoli to my alfredo even if the rest of the family doesn’t. So I like to take some frozen broccoli and boil it in some water in the microwave. Then I add it when everything else is finished cooking. I have also added spinach to my sauce before as well! I think peas and carrots would even be a wonderful addition!
What Are Some Side-Dish Options?
My favorite side dish to any pasta meal is salad! My family love salad, and I make them to everyone’s liking. I also like making garlic bread on the side. I don’t make bread with a lot of my meals because it’s considered just a “filler” item, so when I do make it, it’s a treat for everyone!
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The Best 4-Ingredient Alfredo Sauce
Equipment
- 1 sauce pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup Milk
- 1 stick Unsalted Butter
- 8 oz Cream Cheese
- 8 oz Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Melt butter in sauce pan on medium-low heat.
- Cut up cream cheese into cubes.
- After butter has melted, add the cream cheese to the pan. Stir occasionally to help it melt.
- Once melted, add milk and stir. Then add the parmesan cheese. Stir until well combined and fully melted.
- Turn burner down to low until ready to serve. Keep stirring so that sauce does not clump or burn.