Skinny Alfredo Sauce | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes (2024)

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A skinny take on Alfredo Sauce that tastes just as rich and creamy as the original. Super easy to make, and gluten free!

Skinny Alfredo Sauce | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes (1)

To me, there are few dishes that are as comforting as Fettuccine Alfredo. As a kid, I would order it just about any time my family went to a restaurant. If I’m being real, I would order it for most of my adult life, too. But once I started back on WW and thought more about my health, I realized that I couldn’t justify eating it as much anymore. One serving clocks in at around 35-50 SmartPoints, depending on the restaurant, and has over 2,000 calories. That’s just INSANE.

I even tried bottled sauces. Although some are okay, most of them don’t really have much flavor to me. I would need to doctor them up with other things, like I do with my Shrimp and Penne in Pink Sauce. Plus, the ingredient list on those bottles can be pretty scary.

Then, I tried making my own sauce. I’m pretty sure I’ve tried every “Light” or “Skinny” version of Alfredo sauce that the internet has to offer. None of them did it for me.

Well, my friends, I’m so pleased to share with you my own version that is pretty much years in the making. I finally got it right! This sauce is EVERYTHING.

Skinny Alfredo Sauce | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes (2)

How to make the best skinny alfredo

My Skinny Alfredo Sauce only takes about 10 minutes total and is super easy once you get the hang of it. The technique is really important to get the right consistency, so you may need to try it out once or twice before you really get it perfected. I’ll try my best to give you detailed instructions, though.

Why Almond Milk?

Almond milk is one of my favorite ingredients to use when making creamy dishes. It’s very low in points/cals and has a mild flavor. If you have a nut allergy, you could try to use coconut milk instead. Not the kind on the can–the kind that you find refrigerated near the almond milk. Skim milk could work, too, but it might increase the points/cals.

Some important tips

I’m sure I’m making this more complicated than it needs to be; the recipe really is incredibly easy. But, just in case:

First of all, buy grated cheese, not shredded. I find that it melts better. And make sure it’s the kind that you buy in a container in the refrigerated cheese section. The shelf-stable, green-container stuff won’t have nearly as much flavor.

Make sure you add the cheese in slowly, whisking until melted. Don’t be tempted to dump everything in all at once, otherwise it might clump up.

The first time I made it, I was tempted to keep thickening it because it seemed a bit too thin. When I added pasta, it looked like this:

Skinny Alfredo Sauce | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes (3)

I mean, that still looks amazing, but I like an alfredo that really coats the pasta. Just be a little patient. Let the pasta cook in the sauce a bit on low heat, and it will all come together. Like this:

Skinny Alfredo Sauce | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes (4)

Or, if you want to use the sauce for something else, like as a pizza sauce or to top some cooked veggies, let it cool for about 5 minutes. The sauce will thicken quite a bit when it sits off heat for a little while.

Skinny Alfredo Sauce | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes (5)

My favorite ways to Use the sauce for a low-ish point Meal

  • Chicken and Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo. Combine 1 cup cooked whole wheat or high protein fettuccine (5 SP) with 1/3 cup of sauce (3 SP), 1/2 cup cooked chicken breast (0 SP), and 1/2 cup cooked broccoli (0 SP).
  • White Pizza. Use it as a sauce to top my Lightened-Up Pizza Crust.
  • Casseroles. Use this as as a substitute for canned condensed soup in your favorite creamy casserole recipe.
  • Steak or Salmon sauce. Top your protein with some of the Alfredo for a decadent meal.
  • Dip. Sounds weird, I know! But even cold Alfredo is delicious. Use it as a dip for veggies or pretzels.
Skinny Alfredo Sauce | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes (6)

I’d love to hear from you if you make this recipe! It makes my day when you share your pics on Instagram and tag me (@litecravings). Don’t forget to use #litecravingsrecipes to make sure I see it. If I don’t get a chance to scroll through my tags quickly enough, I won’t see your post. I always make a point to look through the hashtags, though, so I’ll see it there!

Skinny Alfredo Sauce | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes (7)

Print Recipe

5 from 21 votes

Skinny Alfredo Sauce

A skinny take on Alfredo Sauce that tastes just as rich and creamy and the original. Super easy to make, and gluten free!

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time10 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Servings: 8

Calories: 62kcal

Author: Geri

Ingredients

  • 2 cups unsweetened, plain almond milk
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 4 tbsp 1/3 less fat (light) cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese use the kind in the refrigerated section rather than the green-bottle stuff.
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a medium sauce pan, whisk together almond milk , cornstarch, garlic powder, and kosher salt. Turn heat to high and bring to a slow boil, whisking frequently so cornstarch doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.

  • Turn heat to low and continue to cook until slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.

  • Whisk in cream cheese, one tablespoon at a time, until melted.

  • Sprinkle parmesan cheese in slowly, whisking as you go. If you try to add all the cheese in at one time, it might clump together. Once all cheese is added, finish with cracked pepper.

  • If serving with pasta, add sauce to pasta and cook together for about a minute, to thicken the sauce. Otherwise, take sauce off heat and let cool for about 5-10 minutes to thicken up.

Notes

Click hereto determine your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe (if you are logged in to your WW app, it should calculate for you automatically).

WW Green, Blue, and Purple SmartPoints:

2 tbsp = 1 SP

1/4 cup = 2 SP

1/3 cup = 3 SP

1/2 cup = 4 SP

Nutrition Facts are based off of a 1/4 cup serving

Nutrition

Calories: 62kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sugar: 1g

Skinny Alfredo Sauce | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to Alfredo sauce to make it better? ›

Heartier herbs like thyme or oregano can be added in to simmer with the sauce. Add delicate herbs like parsley, basil, or chervil at the end to maintain their delicate, aromatic flavor. Quick tip: Swirl in a bit of leftover pesto to add another herbaceous twist to your Alfredo sauce.

How do you make Alfredo sauce thinner? ›

The key is to add a little bit of liquid. The most common thinner for any creamy sauce is milk, however, you can also use other liquids like water, broth, or cream. Note that the liquid has to contain moisture so it can actually work, which is why melted butter won't do.

Can I add flour to my Alfredo sauce? ›

Flours can be used to make a bit of a slurry and add to the sauce to make it thicker. 1 part flour to 2 parts liquid and then adding it to your sauce should thicken it nicely. Just make sure that when you make the slurry, there are no lumps in your mixture.

How do you thicken Alfredo sauce without heavy cream? ›

Add Cheese

This first method is not only the easiest, but also arguably the most delicious. The key ingredient in Alfredo sauce is cheese—generally Parmigiano Reggiano—and lots of it. To thicken Alfredo sauce, simply add more cheese than the amount called for in a recipe until you achieve the consistency you want.

How do you make cheap Alfredo sauce taste better? ›

How To Make Jarred Alfredo Sauce Better
  1. Garlic. Adding fresh garlic cloves is such an easy, quick and affordable way to add a huge burst of flavor to jarred sauce. ...
  2. Butter. ...
  3. Cheese. ...
  4. Vegetables. ...
  5. Seasonings/Spices. ...
  6. Go Spicy. ...
  7. Milk, Heavy Cream or Sour Cream. ...
  8. Broth.
Dec 31, 2021

How do you upgrade canned Alfredo sauce? ›

15 Ways To Upgrade Store-Bought Alfredo Sauce
  1. Add extra cheese for creaminess and flavor. ...
  2. Stir in a touch of marinara to mimic a vodka sauce. ...
  3. Mix in a bit of pesto for an instant transformation. ...
  4. Add roasted or sauteed garlic for a serious boost in flavor. ...
  5. Simmer with extra herbs and spices for added depth.
Feb 29, 2024

Should you put pasta water in Alfredo sauce? ›

After 12 ounces of fettuccine pasta noodles are finished cooking, reserve 2 cups of the pasta water to include in your sauce. The starchy water is essential to creating a thick, creamy sauce consistency.

Can I use water to thin Alfredo sauce? ›

If the sauce seems too thick, whisk in a splash of milk, broth, or water until the sauce is as thinned as you like.

What is a substitute for flour in Alfredo sauce? ›

If you need to make the dish slightly more creamy, just add a tablespoon of the pasta cooking water. There are many thickening agents used in cooking, Corn starch, potato starch, egg yolk are the three alternatives. Each will change the taste of a sauce in subtle and sometimes, not so subtle ways.

Why does my Alfredo taste like flour? ›

Cook the Flour Longer: If your sauce tastes like raw flour, it's possible that the flour hasn't been cooked long enough. Try cooking the sauce over low to medium heat for a few minutes longer, stirring constantly, to allow the flour to cook and the raw taste to dissipate.

What is the thickening agent for Alfredo? ›

Alfredo sauce has only 2 ingredients: butter and Parmigiano Reggiano. if you need to thicken the sauce because maybe you added some pasta water or too much butter, just add some more Parmigiano Reggiano.

What is a substitute for heavy cream in fettuccine Alfredo? ›

Instead of the typical heavy cream laden alfredo sauce recipes you are likely to find, I just use regular milk in mine and I do not miss the cream one bit. It's still very creamy and rich tasting, but I like knowing I saved a few grams of fat.

How do you keep Alfredo sauce creamy? ›

Mix the cornstarch with some cold water to create a smooth slurry, then whisk it into the sauce while cooking over medium-high heat for a few minutes. Add all-purpose flour. Another very common thickening agent that will give your Alfredo sauce a creamy texture.

How do you fix broken Alfredo sauce? ›

The Fix Is Simple—Add Water Back.

A generous splash of water is all it takes. Here's how fix a broken sauce: Add about ¼ cup of water to the pan and reheat the sauce to a vigorous simmer, whisking constantly. The bubbling action will help re-emulsify the butter and bring back that thick, glossy sauce.

How do you doctor up store bought Alfredo sauce? ›

Add basil, parsley, oregano, or rosemary to add life to the sauce. The first three herbs are classic for many Italian dishes, and rosemary is a common addition to creamy potato dishes, so adding them to a jarred Alfredo sauce makes sense.

How do I fix my Alfredo sauce? ›

The Fix Is Simple—Add Water Back.

Here's how fix a broken sauce: Add about ¼ cup of water to the pan and reheat the sauce to a vigorous simmer, whisking constantly. The bubbling action will help re-emulsify the butter and bring back that thick, glossy sauce.

How do you make store bought Alfredo sauce thicker? ›

How to Thicken Alfredo Sauce
  1. Cream Cheese. Cube softened cream cheese and whisk into the Alfredo Sauce into a pot over heat until the cheese is smooth. ...
  2. Parmesan Cheese. Add some freshly grated good quality Parmesan cheese into the sauce. ...
  3. Shredded Cheese. ...
  4. Heavy Cream. ...
  5. Cornstarch (or Arrowroot) ...
  6. Flour. ...
  7. Egg Yolks. ...
  8. Vegetables.
Oct 3, 2019

What gives Alfredo its taste? ›

Alfredo sauce is a rich, creamy sauce that is typically made with butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Some recipes also call for garlic, herbs, or other seasonings. Essentially, the sauce is a combination of butter and cream, with the Parmesan cheese adding a tangy, salty flavour.

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