By Wendy Stoltz / Last Modified On January 15, 2023

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 make my Gluten Free Lasagna and Gluten Free Spaghetti too!

GLUTEN-FREE ALFREDO SAUCE RECIPE

Alfredo sauce is super simple to make. If you didn't already know this, I am so glad you're here! 

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. 

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 that have 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. 

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, fit 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!

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 very similar to this recipe, and it might be gluten-free. You may also be at a restaurant that adds flours or other thickeners to their alfredo. 

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

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 clove of minced garlic can also be sauteed with the butter for a few seconds before adding the cream. 

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

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! 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 that you get in the refrigerated section of the store can also be used. 

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below, and we will get back to you. 

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 is. When it's cooked al dente, drain it, 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 grated parmesan cheese, and stir to mix.
5. Continue to cook over low heat until the parmesan is melted and the sauce starts to thicken.
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. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the recipe below.

GLUTEN FREE ALFREDO TIPS

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 on to 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 types of gluten-free pasta have a tendency to absorb more sauce than traditional pasta does. 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 a bit of 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. It's best to enjoy your pasta and alfredo sauce fresh. 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.

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 and add 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 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 just 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 lots of 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, and the ones that taste the most like I remember wheat pasta tasting, are made from a blend of corn and rice flour.

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

Some of our favorites include:

• Barilla Gluten Free Pasta - Just 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. 

Continue to Content

Yield: 4-6 servings

Gluten Free Alfredo Sauce

Print

You'll be amazed at how easy it is to make a deliciously rich, homemade, gluten free alfredo sauce from scratch with fresh Parmesan cheese and rich cream and butter.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 12 oz. gluten free pasta
• ½ cup butter
• 1 ½ cups (12 oz.) heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper
• 2 cups of freshly grated parmesan

Instructions

1. Prepare pasta according to the manufacturer’s directions.
2. Add butter and heavy cream to a large skillet.
3. Heat the butter and heavy cream over low heat, stirring frequently, until the butter is melted and the mixture starts to simmer.
4. Add in the salt and pepper, and stir to mix.
5. Add in the parmesan, and stir to mix.
6. Continue to cook over low heat until the parmesan is melted and the sauce starts to thicken.
7. Once thickened, remove from the heat and mix in with the prepared pasta.
8. Serve warm.

Notes

• The amount of salt you'll need will depend on how salty your parmesan cheese is, and your personal preference. Start with a little, and add more if needed.
• Don't use the powdered, shelf stable parmesan cheese in a can for this recipe. Real parmesan works and tastes best. Grate it yourself from a wedge for the absolute best flavor.
• It's best to enjoy your pasta and alfredo sauce fresh. 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.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. They never cost you extra.

• 
  Gotham Steel 5 Quart Stock Multipurpose Pasta Pot with Strainer Lid & Twist and Lock Handles, Nonstick Ceramic Surface Makes for Effortless Cleanup with Tempered Glass Lid, Dishwasher Safe, Graphite
• 
  Deiss PRO Lemon Zester & Heavy Duty Cheese Grater & Vegetable Grater — Parmesan Cheese Lemon, Garlic, Nutmeg, Chocolate, Fruits, Vegetables, Ginger Grater - Cheese Shredder & Stainless Steel Grater
• 
  BARILLA Gluten Free Spaghetti, 12 ounce, Pack of 12

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

3 oz pasta with sauce
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 560Total Fat: 42gSaturated Fat: 25gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 117mgSodium: 1352mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 4gSugar: 0gProtein: 17g

This nutrition info is based on the exact ingredients and brands that I used a the time. It may not be 100% accurate. Please check your ingredients nutrition labels.