Alfredo Sauce

Store in an airtight container. Reheat gently over low heat, adding a splash of milk or pasta water to restore creaminess. Freezing may cause slight separation; stir well when thawing.

Keep heat low to medium when making alfredo—high heat can cause the sauce to break or become grainy

Add cheese gradually off heat to prevent clumping

Reserve pasta water before draining; a splash helps thin and emulsify the sauce

Toss hot pasta with the sauce immediately for best coating

Overcooking the sauce causes it to separate and become oily

Adding cold ingredients to hot sauce can cause it to break

Using pre-grated cheese (which contains anti-caking agents) instead of freshly grated leads to a lumpy texture