Easy Alfredo Sauce And The Best Ways To Reheat It

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Some of the most popular pasta dishes are bathed in this creamy sauce. This easy alfredo recipe and the best ways to reheat it is the simplest way to elevate any type of pasta either fresh or leftover. Alfredo sauce can be whipped up in your own kitchen with just a few simple ingredients and a few simple steps. This step-by-step guide will take you through how to make alfredo, store it, and reheat it. In my opinion, there are 3 best ways to reheat this dish. 

The creamy texture and delicate aroma of alfredo sauce blankets all types of pasta to produce a fantastic dish that everyone will love and it only takes about 10 minutes. Butter, fresh minced garlic, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese make up this delectable sauce. It is similar to the alfredo sauce you can get at Olive Garden, but this is made from scratch right in your own kitchen. You can definitely impress your friends and family with this popular dish. It is a good option for busy weeknights, dinner parties, or other food events. 

What is Alfredo Sauce

Alfredo sauce is a classic Italian sauce with butter, Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream. It is often served with pasta, but can also be used as a dipping sauce for bread or vegetables. In original Italian cuisine, alfredo sauce did not contain milk or cream but instead was made with the starchy pasta water that the fettuccine noodles were cooking in. Milk and cream were later added to make the sauce richer and thicker. And we are sure glad that happened. 

Alfredo sauce tastes like a rich buttery cream like when cheese and milk run into each other. During the making of alfredo, parmesan cheese is melted and stirred into cream. The aroma (especially when using garlic) makes your mouth water. It is garlicky and buttery – a heavenly combo. The smell of alfredo sauce is rich and delightful – tantalizing the air and making your taste buds dance.

Where Does Alfredo Sauce Originate

Alfredo sauce originates in Italy and is named after Alfredo di Lelio, a chef who created it in a restaurant in Rome in the early 1920s. The legend goes that Alfredo’s wife had a hard time eating and lost her appetite after giving birth. The chef went to work and created this delicious pasta sauce to entice her to eat.

It worked and the now-famous alfredo sauce was born. The sauce was originally made with butter, Parmesan cheese, pasta cooking water, and salt. Later as the sauce became popular in the Americas, cream was added. 

How To Store Easy Alfredo Sauce

Alfredo sauce is a rich and creamy sauce with a delicate flavor that is best served fresh can be reheated. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap. If the sauce is on the pasta, it can be stored the same way. 

To freeze alredo sauce, place it in a freezer container or freezer bag with the air squeezed out for up to 3 months.

What Are The Best Ways To Reheat Alfredo Sauce

There are many different methods to reheat alfredo sauce. The good news is all of these options work well. 

To reheat leftover alfredo sauce

Warm it over low heat in a small saucepan until it is heated through. You can also add a little bit of milk or cream to thin it out if it has thickened too much. If you are anything like me, I always make too much pasta – enough to feed the entire neighborhood so leftovers are abundant. 

To reheat leftover pasta alfredo:

The best results are when the pasta is reheated and the cream sauce is not too dry. During the reheating process, the easiest way to retain moisture is to add some water, milk, or half & half (even a tablespoon of butter). Sometimes this delicious meal is better the second time around. It is so easy to reheat fettuccini alfredo or linguini alfredo. Read on to find out more…

Stovetop Method

Put the leftover pasta in a saucepan over medium-low heat on the stove top and add a small amount of water or milk. Give it a good stir and bring it up to temperature. You can also use a double boiler instead of a direct heat source if you don’t want to add any additional liquid.

Oven Method

Use this easy method by placing the leftover pasta alfredo in an oven-safe dish, and adding a splash of milk or a tablespoon of water. Stir and cover with aluminum foil. Heat at 325 degrees until hot. This is a great option for even and slow heating.

Microwave Method

Place the leftover pasta in a microwave-safe bowl, add a little water, and cover with a damp paper towel or try these amazing silicone covers to reheat and store food. We love them! Cook on 70% power until the desired temperature at 30-second intervals stirring frequently. (easiest method)

Slow Cooker Method

This creamy pasta dish can be reheated in a slow cooker. Add a splash of liquid and bring it to the desired temperature on low. 

In short, the best method is what you have time for. Using the microwave is an easy way to reheat this delicious pasta dish in less time than the other methods.

Ingredients For An Easy Linguini Alfredo Recipe

1. 6 tablespoons of salted butter

2. 2 cups of heavy cream (or half and half)

3. 2-3 cloves of garlic, whole or minced

4. 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese

5. 16 ounces of Linguini

Notes:

• For the cream – you can substitute the heavy cream for half and half or whole milk. (Or a mixture of these that equals 2 cups). The taste will be lighter and less rich, but it will reduce the calorie intake.
• Use a garlic press to keep the garlic small so there aren’t any large chunks in the sauce. Alternatively, you could sautee a whole garlic clove in the butter and take it out before serving. 
• Finely grated parmesan works the best because of its melting ability.

Instructions On How To Make Easy Alfredo Sauce

Instructions For Linguini:

1. Set a large stock pot with a lot of water over high heat and bring to a rolling boil. Add a tablespoon of salt to the water. 

2. Add the linguini and cook according to the package directions for al dente (to the tooth). 

3. Reserve a cup of the salted and starchy cooking water for the sauce later.

Instructions For Alfredo:

1. Melt the butter in a large cast iron saucepan over medium heat. 

2. Add the minced garlic or whole garlic clove and stir for 20-30 seconds careful not to burn it. 

3. Heat the cream in the microwave until at least room temperature and add it to the pan. 

4. Stir this mixture with a whisk for 3-4 minutes at a simmer until bubbly and hot.

5. Reduce the heat to low and add the parmesan cheese stirring constantly until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.

6. Taste and add salt and pepper to your taste.

To Finish The Dish:

1. Pour the cooked pasta into the alfredo sauce and stir well to coat every piece.

2. Dish into bowls and top with grated parmesan and fresh herbs.

3. Serve hot and enjoy!

Here are some tips for making the best Alfredo sauce:

• Use high-quality butter and Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
• Don’t overcook the sauce or cook it at high temperatures, it will become too thick and grainy.
• If the sauce is too thick, add a little bit of the starchy pasta water to thin it out.
• Don’t overcook the linguini – you want a slightly firm texture of the pasta.
• Serve the sauce immediately for the best flavor and texture.
• To store, add a bit of extra pasta water or milk and stir to thin. (helps the original creamy texture)
• Place any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 

What Pastas Work Best With Alfredo Sauce

The best way to eat alfredo sauce is over pasta (actually every way is delicious). Here are some pastas that work well:

• Fettuccine
• Linguini
• Spaghetti
• Capellini (angel hair)
• Mafalda or lasagna noodles
• Penne
• Rigatoni
• Large shells

How To Change Up The Flavor Of Classic Alfredo Sauce

You can take this classic Alfredo sauce and really make the flavors stand out by adding different cheeses, spices, and herbs. Here are some suggestions:

• Chop up a bunch of fresh herbs like basil, parsley, and oregano and make a more earthy Italian alfredo
• Use a parmesan-reggiano cheese
• Add red pepper flakes
• For some southern-style heat add in some creole seasoning
• Add some beaten eggs for a rich carbonara-style sauce
• Use an aged gouda or a creamy fontina cheese to change up the flavor
• Grate in some fresh nutmeg and pour it over eggplant
• Put in a couple of dashes of hot sauce to spice things up

How To Serve Alfredo Sauce

• Classic fettuccine alfredo
• Chicken fettuccine alfredo
• With chicken thighs
• As the creamy part of the soup
• Over vegetables
• Brussel sprouts
• Use as pizza sauce
• As a dip for breadsticks
• On lasagna instead of the ricotta mixture
• Drizzled over baked chicken
• As the sauce on a meatball sub
• Stuffed shells
• As the sauce in a spinach and chicken casserole
• With artichokes

Wrapping Up Easy Alfredo Sauce And The Best Ways To Reheat It

With some pasta dishes they are best served fresh the first time, but this easy alfredo sauce over linguini is just as good served the next day. There are many different ways to reheat this delicious dish and all of them work well. The key is keeping the alfredo hydrated. 

This dish is a great way to have a homecooked meal on the table in 15 minutes from start to finish. And I guarantee that everyone with love it. Make it with any pasta you have in the pantry, and serve it up with a vegetable and maybe a protein. I keep a nice selection of pre-cooked meats in the freezer that warm up in minutes. Check out how I do that – sliced chicken breasts are delicious with alfredo. 

Use these easy tips and step-by-step instructions to make this easy alfredo sauce and the best ways to reheat it. Reheating with added liquid is a good way to keep the original texture and a good idea if you make a large amount of leftovers. We love fettuccini alfredo, chicken alfredo, linguini alfredo!! Try some of the different reheating methods listed above and see what works best for you. 

Cheers,

Sarah

Recipe Card For Easy Alfredo Sauce And The Best Ways To Reheat It

5 from 4 votes

Easy Alfredo Sauce And The Best Ways To Reheat It

Alfredo sauce can be whipped up in your own kitchen with just a few simple ingredients and a few simple steps. This step-by-step guide will take you through how to make alfredo, store it, and reheat it. Butter, fresh minced garlic, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese make up this delectable sauce.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:5 minutes mins

Cook Time:10 minutes mins

Total Time:15 minutes mins

Ingredients

• 6 Tbsp Butter salted
• 2 cups Heavy Cream
• 2 cloves Garlic minced
• 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
• 16 ounces Linguini

Instructions

• In a large pot of salted water, cook the linguini according to the package directions, drain and set aside. Reserve one cup of cooking liquid.
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and stir for 20-30 seconds -careful not to burn it. Or add the whole garlic clove and stir it around in the melted butter for a minute and scoop it out and discard.
• Heat the cream in the microwave until at least room temperature and add it to the pan. Stir this mixture with a whisk for 3-4 minutes at a simmer until bubbly and hot.
• Reduce the heat to low and add the parmesan cheese stirring constantly until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
• Taste and add salt and pepper to your taste and ENJOY!

Notes

-Use high-quality butter and parmesan cheese for the best flavor.

-Don’t overcook the sauce or cook it at high temperatures, it will become too thick and grainy.

-If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water a little bit at a time to thin it out.

-Don’t overcook the linguini – you want a slightly firm texture of the pasta.

-Serve the sauce immediately for the best flavor and texture.

-To store, add a bit of the pasta water or milk and stir to thin. (helps with the original creamy texture)

-Place any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Alfredo, Fettuccini alfredo, Linguini alfredo, Parmesan cheese

Servings: 4

Author: Sarah

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