This Low Carb Alfredo Sauce Recipe is a creamy and velvety recipe, which is made with heavy whipping cream and freshly grated Parmesan. It’s better than jarred sauce, ready in about 15 minutes.
Low Carb Alfredo Sauce Recipe Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced (fresh is best)
- 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional, for classic flavor)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
How To Make Low Carb Alfredo Sauce Recipe
- Melt the butter: In a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter completely. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, but be careful not to let it brown or burn.
- Simmer the cream: Pour in the heavy whipping cream. Stir well to combine with the butter. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer (do not let it come to a rolling boil). Let it simmer for 3-5 minutes, whisking occasionally. This step allows the cream to reduce slightly and thicken naturally without flour.
- Melt the cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese in small batches, whisking constantly. Wait until each batch melts before adding the next. This ensures a smooth sauce rather than a clumpy one.
- Season: Once all the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth, stir in the salt, black pepper, and nutmeg (if using). Taste and adjust seasoning. Remember, Parmesan is salty, so add extra salt sparingly.
- Serve: Remove from heat immediately. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools. Serve over your favorite low-carb noodles or vegetables and garnish with fresh parsley.
Recipe Tips
- Fresh vs. Bagged Cheese: This is the single most important rule. You must use a block of Parmesan cheese and grate it yourself. Pre-shredded bagged cheese is coated in potato starch or cellulose (carbs!) to prevent clumping, which prevents it from melting smoothly and adds gritty texture.
- Temperature Control: Never let the sauce boil once the cheese is added. High heat causes the oils to separate from the cheese, resulting in a greasy, broken sauce. Keep it on low heat.
- Thickening: Traditional Alfredo is thickened by reducing the heavy cream. If you want an even thicker sauce without reducing it for too long, you can whisk in 1 ounce of cream cheese or a pinch of xanthan gum, but the reduction method tastes the most authentic.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic provides a much punchier flavor than garlic powder. However, if you want a perfectly smooth white sauce without garlic bits, you can steep crushed garlic cloves in the cream and remove them before adding the cheese.
- Rescuing a Broken Sauce: If your sauce separates and looks oily, take it off the heat and whisk in a splash of liquid heavy cream vigorously. This usually helps re-emulsify the fats.
What To Serve With Low Carb Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Since you can’t use wheat pasta, pair this rich sauce with these low-carb vessels.
- Zucchini noodles (Zoodles)
- Spaghetti Squash
- Grilled Chicken Breast or Shrimp
- Steamed Broccoli or Cauliflower
How To Store Low Carb Alfredo Sauce Recipe
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It will solidify in the fridge like butter.
- Reheat: Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring constantly until melted. If it separates, whisk in a tablespoon of water or more cream. Do not microwave high heat or it will break.
- Freeze: Freezing is not recommended for cream-based sauces as the texture often becomes grainy upon thawing.
Low Carb Alfredo Sauce Recipe Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 310
- Total Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
- Sodium: 380mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 2g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 8g
- Net Carbs: 2g
Nutrition information is estimated per serving (approx 1/4 cup).
FAQs
Can I use half-and-half?
You can, but the sauce will be thinner and higher in carbs (milk sugar). Heavy whipping cream provides the best thickness and the lowest carb count for keto.
Is flour needed to thicken it?
No! Authentic Roman Alfredo sauce never uses flour (roux). It relies on the emulsification of butter, cheese, and reduced cream. Adding flour adds unnecessary carbs.
Can I add cream cheese?
Many “easy” keto recipes use cream cheese to thicken the sauce quickly. You can add 2 tablespoons if you like the tanginess and want a super-thick sauce fast, but it is not traditional.
Low Carb Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Description
A restaurant-quality, gluten-free white sauce made with simple ingredients—just cream, butter, garlic, and Parmesan—without any flour thickeners.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add heavy cream and simmer for 5 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Reduce heat to low.
- Whisk in grated Parmesan cheese gradually until melted.
- Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Consistency: The sauce will continue to thicken significantly as it cools, so pull it off the heat while it is still slightly looser than you want it.
- Garnish: Fresh cracked pepper and parsley cut through the richness visually and flavor-wise.
Low Carb Alfredo Sauce Recipe
