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Alfredo is a classic pasta sauce with a rich and creamy consistency. Traditional recipes call for heavy cream and lots of butter, making the dish unhealthy and fattening. For a lighter version, substitute low-fat milk for heavy cream and use cornstarch to thicken the sauce and make it creamy. If you're vegan or trying to avoid dairy, alfredo sauce can be adapted to your needs, as well. Vegan alfredo sauce uses cashews and nutritional yeast to create the signature creamy texture.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (120 ml) chicken or vegetable stock
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- 1 cup (120 ml) low-fat milk
- 3/4 cup (90 grams) freshly-grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 ounces (340 grams) gluten-free pasta noodles
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup (60 grams) chopped shallots
- ⅛ teaspoon unrefined sea salt
- 1 cup (120 ml) water
- ½ cup (60 grams) raw cashews
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- ⅛ teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon non-fortified nutritional yeast
- 3 pinches nutmeg
- 2 whole garlic cloves
- 12 ounces (340 grams) of cooked pasta noodles
Steps
Preparing Alfredo Sauce with Milk (Gluten-Free)
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1Combine stock and cornstarch in a small bowl. Measure out the cornstarch and add it to a small bowl. Pour the stock over it. Whisk the ingredients together until the cornstarch is fully incorporated. Set the bowl aside.
- Check the label if you're using store-bought chicken or vegetable stock to confirm it's gluten-free. Some brands contain gluten.
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2Sauté the garlic in olive oil for one minute. Measure out and heat up the olive oil in a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat. Add the four cloves of minced garlic to the pan. Sauté for 60 seconds. Stir the garlic occasionally.Advertisement
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3Add the cornstarch mixture and milk to the pan. Carefully pour in the cornstarch mixture and whisk briskly until the sauce appears smooth. Add the low-fat milk to the pan and whisk again until the ingredients are fully incorporated.
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4Bring the sauce to a simmer. Once it reaches a simmer, turn the heat down to medium-low. Allow it to simmer for one to two minutes. You'll know it's ready when it has thickened to a rich and creamy consistency.
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5Stir in the Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Mix until all of the ingredients are fully incorporated and the cheese has melted. Taste the sauce and add additional salt and pepper, if desired.
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6Serve immediately over the pasta of your choice. Boil 12 ounces of pasta noodles (use the gluten-free variety to stay consistent with the no-gluten theme) until al dente. Drain them well and portion them out into bowls. Ladle the alfredo sauce over the cooked noodles and serve the pasta immediately.
- Set out extra Parmesan, salt and pepper for your family or guests.
Making Dairy-Free Alfredo Sauce (Vegan)
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1Add the olive oil to a saucepan over medium-high heat. Measure out the extra virgin olive oil and pour it into a small saucepan. Place the saucepan on the stove and turn the burner up to medium-high heat. Allow the oil to heat up.
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2Add the shallots to the saucepan. Finely chop the shallots and put them into the warmed oil in the saucepan. Sauté them for four to five minutes, stirring occasionally. You'll know they're ready when they've softened. Add sea salt to taste, if desired.
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3Place the shallots and remaining ingredients into a blender. Remove the sautéed shallots from heat and carefully transfer them into a high speed blender. Measure out and add the water, cashews, lemon juice, white pepper, non-fortified nutritional yeast, nutmeg and garlic to the blender. Secure the lid.
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4Blend for one minute on high speed. Process the ingredients using a high speed setting for about 60 seconds until they are fully incorporated. The sauce should appear creamy in consistency, with a smooth texture.
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5Pour the sauce into a saucepan over low heat. Transfer the sauce from the blender to a saucepan. Turn the burner on low. Stir the mixture constantly and allow it to cook for two minutes. Once the sauce is warmed through completely, check the texture. If it's too thick, add small amount of water and stir well.
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6Ladle the sauce over the pasta of your choice and serve. Remove the sauce from heat and stir one last time. Spoon the sauce over portioned bowls of al dente noodles. Serve immediately. Pairs well with white wine and salad.
Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat is the serving size for this?Community AnswerThis sauce makes enough for about 4-6 servings.
Things You'll Need
- small bowl
- whisk
- medium-sized skillet
- spoon or ladle
- high speed blender
References
About This Article
To make an alfredo sauce with milk instead of cream, start by combining chicken or vegetable stock in a bowl and whisking them together. Then, sauté garlic in olive oil over medium-high heat for about 1 minute. Add the cornstarch mixture to the pan and whisk until everything is smooth. Next, slowly add the milk and whisk everything a second time. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let everything simmer for 1 to 2 minutes. Finally, add parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper, and serve over pasta. To learn how to make vegan alfredo sauce, scroll down!