Garlic Alfredo Sauce Recipe
This Roasted Garlic and Basil Alfredo Sauce is so easy to make. Roasting the garlic is the most time consuming part, but it's so simple and worth it! Have you ever had roasted garlic, if not, you're missing out! It's really easy to do at home. I often find myself taking the extra time to roast the garlic in recipes if I'm able to. It really amps up the flavor in sauces and even salsa. It's especially delicious if you take tomatoes and roast garlic on top of them. Yum!
What is the difference between white sauce and alfredo sauce?
A standard white sauce is often a bechamel type of sauce. This is simply just butter, flour, and milk. Sometimes seasonings like salt, pepper, and nutmeg are added.
Alfredo sauce does not use a roux the way white sauce does and often contains parmesan and heavy cream.
Creamy Basil Alfredo Sauce Ingredients
- Garlic - you’ll need to use two full heads of garlic. You can’t take a shortcut here with the pre-minced because you’ll be roasting the heads in the oven.
- Olive oil - Find that extra virgin olive oil gives the best flavor, you can also use a neutral oil like avocado oil
- Fresh basil - It’s important to use fresh basil. Dried basil won’t give you the same flavor.
- Heavy cream - Heavy cream will give the silky texture and flavor, but if you can’t find it half and half will work as well
- Light sour cream - Both light sour cream and full-fat sour cream work, but don’t use fat-free. It does not combine the same into the sauce.
- Parmesan cheese - Go with freshly grated if possible. It melts easier and gives a better flavor overall
- Salt & pepper - I always recommend using kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper when possible for maximum flavor
I chose to pair my Alfredo sauce with tortellini, but any thick and hearty pasta would be perfect! It would also be really great with chicken. I've still got some serious pregnancy meat aversions so I left it out this time, but on a normal occasion I would include some sliced grilled chicken on top. This would be especially delicious on some mushroom ravioli!
How to Roast Garlic
- To roast garlic, preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Cut the tops off the heads of garlic leaving the rest intact.
- Drizzle a tablespoon of oil over the top of each head of garlic.
- Wrap the garlic heads in foil cut side up and place in the oven for 1 hour.
- Remove from the oven and unwrap the foil. To remove the garlic, squeeze it from the peel.
How to Make Basil Garlic Alfredo Sauce
- After you’ve roasted the garlic, squeeze it into a food processor.
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the processor along with the fresh basil.
- Pulse until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Add the garlic and basil mixture to a deep skillet over medium heat.
- Slowly add in heavy cream until it just begins to simmer.
- Stir in the sour cream and parmesan cheese.
- Stir frequently until smooth and enjoy the sauce over your favorite pasta.
Best Ways to Serve Garlic Alfredo Sauce
Garlic Alfredo Sauce is best served over pasta or you can use it to dip your favorite breadsticks. If you’re low carb, you can serve it over spaghetti squash, zucchini noodles, or hearts of palm pasta.
What can I add to alfredo pasta?
You can add so many things to alfredo pasta to bulk it up and enhance the flavor. Some great things to add are:
- Chicken
- Shrimp
- Broccoli
- Mushrooms
- Spinach
- Lobster
- Crab
How to Store and Reheat Garlic Alfredo Pasta Sauce
Garlic Alfredo Sauce should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Allow it to cool completely before storing.
To reheat Garlic Alfredo Pasta Sauce, I recommend placing it in a skillet over medium-low heat and stirring occasionally until heated through. Because of the heavy cream, be careful not to scald it.
Basil and Garlic Alfredo Sauce WW Points
The Weight Watchers Freestyle points along with the nutrition information have been calculated based on using 2oz of fettuccine. You can lower the points or calories in this with a few simple swaps. You could use zoodles in place of the pasta or even Palmini or Banza pasta would work here too.
Roasted Garlic Alfredo Sauce FAQ
If you find your alfredo sauce has gotten a bit dry, you can add additional heavy cream and a little butter.
Spices that go well with alfredo sauce are Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
This decadent dish is a crowd pleaser that the whole family will love. It's also easily adaptable to be made for a crowd if needed. Serve it up with a nice side salad and some crusty bread and you're good to go!
Basil and Roasted Garlic Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 full heads of garlic
- 4 tablespoon olive oil
- Handful of fresh basil
- 1 ¼ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup light sour cream
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- salt & pepper
- Your favorite thick pasta cooked (fettuccine, tortellini, ravioli, etc.)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Cut the tops off the heads of garlic leaving the rest in tact.
- Drizzle a tablespoon over the top of each head of garlic.
- Wrap the heads of garlic in foil and place in the oven for 1 hour.
- Squeeze the garlic from the peel into a food processor.
- Add remaining 2 tablespoon of olive oil to the processor along with a handful of basil.
- Pulse until mixture is smooth and combined.
- Add mixture from the food processor into a deep skillet over medium heat.
- Slowly add in heavy cream until just beginning to simmer.
- Add in sour cream and Parmesan cheese.
- Stir frequently until melted and smooth.
- Add in your pasta and enjoy!
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