The Best Gluten-Free Alfredo Sauce Ever (Super Easy!) | GFP (2024)

You'll be amazed at how easy it is to make a deliciously rich, homemade, gluten-free alfredo sauce from scratch! Boil some gluten-free pasta right now, and get ready to toss it with a creamy, cheesy Alfredo sauce that you made yourself in under 20 minutes.

If you like classic Italian meals, you should also make my Gluten-Free Lasagna and Gluten-Free Spaghetti! This alfredo sauce also goes wonderfully on top of some homemade Gluten-Free Tortellini. Check out my guide on making homemade gluten-free pasta, or try one of the best gluten-free pasta brands. And for a twist on classic pasta, try these gluten-free egg noodles!

Enroll in this Udemy course to learn how to make delicious gluten-free artisan breads. You'll gain the skills and confidence to bake breads that are not only healthy but also incredibly tasty, opening up a whole new world of culinary possibilities.

GLUTEN-FREE ALFREDO SAUCE RECIPE

If you're a fan of a creamy sauce and are looking for gluten-free recipes for pasta sauces, then you'll love gluten-free Alfredo sauce. With just a handful of simple ingredients like butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, you can create a rich and indulgent sauce that is perfect for pasta dishes, veggies, and even as a dip for breadsticks. And the best part? You don't need to add any flour or starch to thicken it up.

One of the things that make gluten-free Alfredo sauce unique is its light and thick texture. The cheese and cream do all the work to create a creamy and thick sauce that will stick perfectly to your gluten-free pasta. Unlike other Alfredo sauces that contain flour, this sauce will not have an odd texture, but rather a silky and smooth finish. Additionally, it's easy to customize with your favorite seasonings to add even more depth of flavor.

Making gluten-free Alfredo sauce is super simple, and you can have it ready in no time. With its rich and creamy texture, it's an excellent choice for a quick and easy side dish for a busy weeknight or a relaxing weekend dinner. So give it a try and experience the indulgent taste of homemade gluten-free Alfredo sauce.

Why You’re Going to Love These Gluten-Free Alfredo Sauce

A handful of simple ingredients - Gluten-free Alfredo sauce is made with a handful of simple ingredients like butter, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese. Add some seasonings, and serve it over your favorite gluten-free pasta (I suggest fettuccine), and you'll be enjoying a restaurant-worthy pasta dish at home in minutes.

Light and thick sauce - You don't need to add flour or starch of any kind to make this sauce extra creamy and thick. The cheese and cream have the ability to thicken homemade gluten-free alfredo all on their own. I find that Alfredo sauces with flour in them don't taste quite right and have an odd texture too. This sauce should be light and just thick enough to stick to your pasta.

Fast and easy side dish - The sauce will be ready in less time than it takes to boil water and cook pasta, making this a fast and easy side dish for a busy weeknight meal or a relaxing weekend dinner. Add some balsamic chicken or grilled shrimp and turn gluten-free alfredo into an entrée too!

INGREDIENTS IN GLUTEN-FREE ALFREDO SAUCE

Gluten-Free Pasta - This recipe makes enough sauce to coat 12 ounces of pasta. We're using Barilla gluten-free fettuccine here, but you can choose your favorite pasta shape and type too. Check out our comprehensive guide on the best gluten-free pasta brands!

Butter - The base layer of most good sauces is rich butter. This is true of Alfredo sauce too. You'll need a half cup or two sticks of butter for this dreamy, creamy sauce.

Heavy naturally gluten-free Cream - Don't try to substitute milk for cream in this recipe! Heavy cream has thickening power; we want that on our side since we aren't adding starchy thickeners. You'll need 12 ounces, so pick up the quart-size container and use the extra in another recipe.

While some recipes may suggest using cream cheese in Alfredo sauce as a substitute for heavy cream, it's important to note that this will result in a different flavor and texture profile than the traditional recipe. I suggest you do not use cream cheese.

Salt - The amount of salt you'll need can vary based on how salty your butter is, how salty your parmesan is, and how heavily you salt your pasta water. Start with a small amount and add more to taste.

Black Pepper - I love the little flecks that this adds to the otherwise creamy white sauce and the zesty flavor note.

Parmesan Cheese - This is extremely important: Use real, fresh parmesan cheese! Do you know the powdered cheese in the plastic can? Don't use that here. The flavor won't be right, and the texture won't be either. Plus, that cheese can often have fillers added that could be gluten. Get a wedge of parmesan and grate it yourself using a microplane or the smallest holes of a box grater. Pre-grated cheese you get in the store's refrigerated section can also be used.

Equipment Needed for This Gluten-Free Alfredo Sauce

Large skillet or saute pan - You will need a large skillet or saute pan to make the alfredo sauce and toss the pasta with the sauce.

Microplane or box grater to grate the parmesan cheese - You will need a Microplane or box grater to grate the parmesan cheese finely. Finely grated parmesan cheese will melt quickly and blend well with the Alfredo sauce.

Pot to boil water and cook pasta - You will need a pot to boil water and cook the pasta according to the package instructions.

Colander to drain the pasta - You will need a colander to drain the cooked pasta after boiling it. Make sure to drain the pasta well to prevent excess water from diluting the Alfredo sauce.

If you have any questions about making Gluten-Free Alfredo Sauce, please leave a comment, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN-FREE ALFREDO SAUCE

Start by cooking gluten-free pasta in salted, boiling water, according to the package directions. It should be ready at about the same time as the sauce. Drain it when it's cooked al dente, but don't rinse it!

1. Meanwhile, start the sauce by adding butter and heavy cream to a large skillet or saute pan.
2. Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring frequently, until the butter is melted and the mixture starts to simmer.
3. Add in the salt and pepper, and stir to mix.
4. Add in the freshly grated parmesan cheese, and stir to mix.
5. Continue to cook over low heat until the parmesan is melted and the sauce thickens.
6. Once thickened, remove from the heat and mix in with the prepared pasta.

These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. Please see the recipe below for the complete ingredient list and instructions.

Tips for Making the Best Gluten-Free Alfredo Sauce

Don't rinse the pasta - I know some of you do this! It's ok, but for this recipe, you want the pasta to keep some of its starchiness so that the delicious sauce holds onto each piece.

Add the pasta into the sauce - This is the traditional Italian way! Avoid putting plain pasta on a plate and then adding the sauce as a topping. This is a dish that requires everything to be well mixed.

Save some pasta water - Some gluten-free pasta tend to absorb more sauce than traditional pasta. Set aside a half cup or so of the water that the pasta cooked in, in case you need to loosen up the pasta after adding it to the Alfredo.

Adjust the seasonings - I mentioned earlier that you might need more or less salt, depending on how salty your parmesan cheese is. You can also adjust the pepper and add some garlic powder if you'd like. A small amount of freshly ground nutmeg can also be added to give your gluten-free alfredo sauce a rustic, warm flavor. Just a pinch!

Leftovers are not ideal - Enjoying your pasta and homemade Alfredo sauce fresh is best. The sauce will separate as it cools, and when you reheat it, it will stay that way, with the butter no longer incorporated into the sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT TO SERVE WITH GLUTEN-FREE ALFREDO?

Bread - If you're going to eat pasta, you might as well also indulge in some delicious gluten-free bread! It's perfect for soaking up any extra sauce that might be on your plate. Try my recipe for gluten-free popovers, or make gluten-free garlic bread.

Veggies - Add your favorite steamed, sautéed, or roasted veggies to your pasta. They will taste amazing coated in homemade alfredo sauce! Instant Pot broccoli is one of my favorites to serve with gluten-free alfredo. You could also try my Lemon Asparagus.

Protein - Simple proteins like grilled steak or chicken are perfect with gluten-free alfredo. Serve them on the side, or slice them and add them directly on top of the pasta, just like you'd expect from an Italian restaurant. You could also serve gluten-free meatballs with this pasta!

What Makes Alfredo Sauce Traditionally Not Gluten-free?

A traditional Alfredo sauce recipe contains wheat-based pasta and flour, which are not gluten-free ingredients. Additionally, some Alfredo sauces may contain thickeners or additives that contain gluten.

IS THERE GLUTEN IN ALFREDO SAUCE?

The answer to this question is it depends! A simple Alfredo sauce doesn't include any gluten ingredients. It should be butter, cheese, cream, and seasonings.

In a restaurant, you may be served an Alfredo sauce similar to this recipe, which might be gluten-free. You may also be at a restaurant that adds flours or other thickeners to their Alfredo.

Jarred Alfredo sauces (which are nowhere near as delicious as the real thing!) generally will have gluten-containing ingredients. As always, be sure to check the labels.

Are There Any Brands Of Pre-Made Gluten-Free Alfredo Sauce?

Yes, there are a few brands of pre-made gluten-free Alfredo sauce available in the market. Here are some of them:

• Classico Gluten-Free Creamy Alfredo Pasta Sauce
• Primal Kitchen No Dairy Alfredo Sauce - certified gluten-free
• Dave's Gourmet Aged White Cheddar Alfredo Pasta Sauce

It's important to always check the label and ingredients list of any pre-made sauce to ensure it is gluten-free, as different brands may have different formulations.

How Long Will It Keep In The Refrigerator?

Gluten-free Alfredo sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four to five days. It's important to keep the sauce in an airtight container to prevent it from spoiling or absorbing any unwanted flavors. However, I do not recommend storing it as the sauce separates when it cools, and when you reheat it, the butter is no longer incorporated.

Can I Freeze This Gluten-free Alfredo Pasta Sauce?

Yes, you can freeze gluten-free Alfredo sauce. But no, I do not recommend it. The sauce will separate as it cools, and when you reheat it, it will stay that way, with the butter no longer incorporated into the sauce.

IS THERE GARLIC IN ALFREDO SAUCE?

I'm going to leave this part up to you!

A real, true Alfredo sauce doesn't include garlic. You will find garlic in most restaurant sauces, including Olive Garden alfredo because as time has gone on, that flavor has become expected.

The basic traditional alfredo sauce uses just heavy cream, butter, and cheese. That's really all you need to make this sauce.

Of course, if you like garlic, you can adjust this recipe to make it a gluten-free garlic alfredo sauce! Simply add ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder. A minced garlic clove can also be sauteed with the butter for a few seconds before adding the cream.

What Variations Can I Make To This GF Alfredo Sauce?

There are so many variations you can make, so here are a few ideas:

• Garlic Alfredo Sauce - Add minced garlic to the butter and sauté for a minute before adding the heavy cream. This will give your Alfredo sauce a delicious garlic flavor.
• Herb Alfredo Sauce - Add chopped fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or thyme to the sauce for a burst of fresh flavor.
• Mushroom Alfredo Sauce - Sauté sliced mushrooms in butter and add them to the Alfredo sauce for a meaty, earthy flavor.
• Lemon Alfredo Sauce - Add the zest and juice of a lemon to the sauce for a tangy, refreshing flavor.
• Spinach Alfredo Sauce - Add chopped spinach to the sauce and cook until wilted. This will add a healthy dose of greens and a pop of color to your dish.
• Chicken Alfredo - Add cooked chicken to the sauce for a hearty, protein-packed meal.
• Shrimp Alfredo - Add cooked shrimp to the sauce for a seafood twist on the classic Alfredo sauce.

WHAT CAN I EAT WITH ALFREDO SAUCE THAT ISN'T PASTA?

This sauce is delicious on just about anything! Try it on Roasted Red Potatoes, zucchini noodles, or cauliflower rice. You can also pour the Alfredo sauce into a bowl and dip your favorite gluten-free bread into it.

WHAT IS THE BEST GLUTEN-FREE PASTA?

This comes down to preference, but the great news is that there are many options now for gluten-free pasta brands and styles.

You'll find pasta made from beans, corn, rice, and blends of different gluten-free flours. I find that my favorites, which taste the most like I remember wheat pasta tasting, are made from a blend of corn and rice flour.

As time has passed, gluten-free pasta has gotten better and closer to the "real" thing.

Some of our favorites include:

• Barilla Gluten-Free Pasta - Make sure it says gluten-free on the box; the packaging can look similar.
• Jovial Pasta - Their pasta is primarily made from brown rice.
• Ancient Harvest Gluten-Free Pasta - You'll find a ton of fun shapes and veggie-packed pastas from Ancient Harvest, but their regular gluten-free spaghetti is an overall good choice.

Read our full guide on the best gluten-free pasta brands.

MORE WAYS TO ENJOY GLUTEN-FREE PASTA

Once you find your favorite brands and styles of gluten-free pasta, you can enjoy it in all the ways one might enjoy regular pasta.

Try these gluten-free pasta recipes next:

• Gluten-Free Pasta Salad
• Gluten-Free Chicken Parmesan
• Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese
• Gluten-Free Chicken Noodle Soup

Did you make this Gluten-Free Alfredo Sauce Recipe? Leave a comment below letting me know what you thought.