A skinny take on Alfredo Sauce that tastes just as rich and creamy as the original. Super easy to make, and gluten free!
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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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
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.
About how much sauce does this recipe make?
A little over 2 cups.
This recipe was delicious! Because of a nut allergy we subbed 1% milk in place of Almond which made it 3sp for 1/4 cup, but it was a perfect amount to mix in with some chicken and vegetables. Such an easy, flourless, low point Alfredo! Super impressive & nicely done!
This makes me so happy, Becky! Good to know that using 1% milk only raises the points by 1 SP. I’m sure many others will want to know that. Thank you so much for the sweet comment!
Geri! You’ve put me in alfredo heaven! So good! Tastes just like the restaurant, but without the points.
Awesome! Thanks, Sheila. 🙂
Do you think fat free cream cheese would change the recipe drastically?
(It’s what I have on hand) Thanks!! I love your recipes♥️
Thanks, Phyllis! I’ve never cooked with fat free cream cheese, so I can’t say for sure. But I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. Let me know how it goes!
made this last night. no one could believe that is was low points! it has such a thick, creamy, rich flavor! i will make it this way from now on! thank you for sharing! everyone LOVED it!
Awesome! Great to hear. 🙂
Hi so really wanna try making this🙃 and was wondering how many ppl it serves?
Hey! That really depends on how much sauce everyone wants. The recipe makes just over 2 cups of sauce total. I think 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup is enough for a plate of pasta.
Can you tell me the exact cream cheese and parmesan cheese you used?
I use Trader’s Joe’s light cream cheese and their refrigerated, grated parmesan.
Hi, was wondering if you have tried to freeze the leftover sauce alone for the rest of the week
Hi, Paulina! I haven’t tried freezing it, but I have kept it for about a week in the refrigerator. If it separates a bit, I just whisk it again.
Seriously, this sauce is uhhhmazing! My two picky teens ate it and asked for seconds, simply fabulous!
Thank you!!
Best. Alfredo. Sauce. Ever. WOW! Thank you!
Yay!!! Glad you think so. 🙂
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for google
Unbelievable! I am so happy to know I can eat Alfredo sauce on WW! MY husband loves it too, great recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Happy to hear it! You’re welcome. 🙂
Do you think cashew milk could be used instead of almond milk?
Absolutely!
This was Alfredo recipe was so good! I will be making Alfredo sauce like this from now on! Thank you!
I made this tonight and loved it! It wasn’t thin or runny at all. I halved the recipe and still had enough for 3 meals.
This makes me so happy!