Low Carb Alfredo Sauce
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Low Carb Alfredo Sauce is so easy to make, you’ll never reach for a jar at the store again! It’s true — this alfredo is low carb AND delicious, with plenty of flavor from two types of cheese and my favorite seasonings. No one will even notice the difference!
Low Carb Alfredo Sauce
Eating low carb doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to flavor! There are plenty of tasty recipes that’ll cover you for lunch, dinner, and even snacks.
And with a delicious and easy low carb alfredo sauce up your sleeve, you’ll open up a whole world of possibilities!
Now, before I get any side-eyes, this recipe isn’t even that much different than my Olive Garden alfredo.
Just a few tweaks and measurement adjustments as needed. The most important thing to watch for is the type of butter you use!
Who knew that just a few simple ingredients could make such a deliciously cheesy topping for meats, veggies, and more?!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Grass-Fed Unsalted Butter – When it comes to the keto world, not all butter is created equal!
Kerrygold grass-fed butter is my top choice when making low carb fettuccine alfredo sauce (or any keto dish!) because it has zero carbs. - Heavy Cream – Also labeled heavy whipping cream, this is where that silky, saucy texture comes from.
If you have the time, let it warm on the counter for about 30 minutes before starting the recipe. - Garlic – You know I can’t make anything without some garlic! Cooking it for just a bit first enhances the flavor even more.
However, you can reduce the amount if you want an even lower carb count! - Cheese – Start with softened cream cheese to create an ultra-creamy base, then add in freshly grated Parmesan for maximum flavor.
Romano or Asiago are great substitutes for the Parmesan if needed. - Seasonings – Salt and pepper are always a must, but I like to toss in some Italian seasoning.
If you don’t want to see specks of black in your sauce, try white pepper instead!
A pinch of nutmeg adds a little warmth and color to this low carb alfredo too, but feel free to leave it out if you’d like.
Tips and Tricks to Make Delicious Low Carb Fettuccine Alfredo Sauce
- Start with room-temperature ingredients.
Rapid changes between hot and cold temperatures are a surefire way to get a lumpy sauce.
When everything is a similar temp, the ingredients will blend together smoother — and easier too!
All you have to do is measure out your cream, butter, and cheese and let it sit on the counter for about 30 minutes.
- Don’t rush the process.
Once you add the cream cheese and heavy cream, whisk constantly until the cheese is fully melted and there are no more lumps.
Then, stir in the seasonings and wait for it to start bubbling slightly.
Now’s the time to add the Parmesan! Reduce the heat and stir in a little at a time, letting it fully melt before adding more.
- Season to taste.
If you’re not sure about some of those spices, start with just salt and pepper. Give it a quick taste after adding the Parmesan, then adjust things to your liking.
You’ll only really affect your carb counts if you add tons of seasoning, and there’s really no need for this recipe.
- It will thicken on its own.
Between the cream and cheeses, there’s plenty of stuff to make a thick, creamy texture. Let it sit for a few minutes once removing it from the heat to check the final consistency.
You can add more Parmesan, a little at a time, to make it thicker. Or, stir in more cream if it ends up a little too thick.
Prep Ahead
- Bring heavy cream to room temp
- Soften cream cheese
- Mince garlic
- Grate fresh Parmesan
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Heavy Bottom Skillet – To help the low carb alfredo sauce cook evenly, a wide skillet with tall sides works best.
- Cheese Grater – Fresh cheese makes this recipe even better! Skip the plastic containers and buy a wedge to grate yourself.
- Garlic Press – This is a necessary tool in any kitchen to add fresh minced garlic flavor.
- Whisk – These have held up for over 10 years and are still as good as the day I bought them. With 3 sizes, there is a whisk for every job!
Serving Suggestions
Low carb fettuccine alfredo sauce isn’t just for pasta…and we’re not eating pasta anyway unless it’s zoodles, of course!!
Spoon it over chicken, shrimp, or salmon to add saucy flavor to your meal.
It’s also delicious with veggies like broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms, spinach, or spaghetti squash.
And when you’re craving a comfort food meal, make yourself a keto-friendly alfredo chicken pizza!
Storing and Reheating Low Carb Alfredo
Allow leftover sauce to cool completely, then pour it into a jar or airtight container. It will keep for 3-5 days in the refrigerator or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
However, note that the texture of cream-based sauces often changes when thawed and reheated.
Warm low carb alfredo on the stove over low heat while stirring frequently. You may need to add a little extra cream (room temp!) as it will continue to thicken the longer it sits.
Alfredo Low Carb Recipe FAQ
Yes! Traditional alfredo sauce is naturally keto-friendly as it’s made with butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese.
This recipe includes garlic and seasonings for flavor, plus a little cream cheese to get it really creamy. But the results are still compatible with the keto diet!
Not really. You’ll get a much thinner sauce, plus you’ll increase both the calorie and carb count.
Plant-based milks such as almond milk or coconut milk would be better than plain milk, but they don’t taste as good or thicken as much. Might as well just use the cream!
Any alfredo sauce will thicken naturally as it simmers, plus more as it cools. If the consistency is still a bit too thin for your liking, simply melt in more Parmesan.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Low Carb Alfredo Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, grass-fed
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed and softened
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- pinch nutmeg
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Garnish (optional)
- chopped fresh parsley
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a medium sauté pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
- Stir in heavy whipping cream and cream cheese. Whisk until cream cheese is completely melted.
- Add Italian seasoning, salt, ground pepper, and nutmeg. Continue cooking until the sauce begins to simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in parmesan cheese until smooth. Add additional salt and pepper to taste. When sauce begins to thicken, remove from heat.
- Serve over your favorite meats and veggies. Enjoy!
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published May 2024
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This recipe was amazing! So easy to make and it tastes just like regular Alfredo sauce.
Hi Megan!
We’re so glad that you enjoyed the recipe!!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn