Easy Gluten Free Crockpot Ragu Alfredo Sauce Recipe
You won’t buy jar alfredo sauce anymore once you try out my Easy Gluten Free Crockpot Ragu Alfredo Sauce Recipe. This homemade sauce tastes so much fresher than what you can find at the grocery store plus there are no preservatives or fancy ingredients.
In northern Italian regions, ragù typically uses minced, chopped or ground meat, cooked with liquidized tomatoes, but also exist in tomato free versions referred to as Ragù in Bianco or white ragù.
There are many great options available to serve up this Easy Gluten Free Crockpot Ragu Alfredo Sauce from pairing with grilled skinless chicken breasts for a tasty chicken alfredo recipe to just swirled into hot fettuccine noodles.
It only takes a few quality ingredients to make this alfredo pasta sauce in the crockpot or stovetop so you can skip the jarred sauce even when you are busy!
Keep reading as I will go over the history of alfredo, delve into making the fresh alfredo sauce for the whole family in the crockpot, plus tips, substitutions and frequently asked questions answered.
The True History of Classic Alfredo Sauce
Alfredo sauce traces its origins back to Rome in 1908 where Alfredo Di Lelio, a restaurateur, created a basic fettuccine swirled with the main ingredients of butter and fresh parmesan cheese.
It was viewed as a comfort food that compares to the American chicken noodle soup when feeling ill.
The decadent combination gained popularity among locals and tourists as Alfredo made a spectacle of pulling the fettuccine noodles high above the bowl to toss it in the butter and parmesan.
The alfredo sauce’s popularity spread to America where extra ingredients such as heavy cream or pasta water plus egg yolks were added to the easy recipe.
The popular company Ragu packaged the first nationally distributed classic alfredo sauce for U.S. consumers in 1998.
What Americans know as alfredo sauce does not exist in Italy.
The closest comparison is a sauce known as “al burro” which is pasta served with melted butter and grated Parmigiano or Romano cheese.
What you will need to make Gluten Free Crockpot White Ragu Alfredo Sauce
- Cream Cheese
- Butter
- Heavy Cream
- Chicken Stock or Broth
- Fresh Grated Cheese: Parmesan or Romano
- Garlic Powder or fresh minced garlic
- Ground Black Pepper
- Crockpot
Let’s make this Easy Creamy Alfredo Sauce
Put the heavy cream and chicken broth in the crockpot.
Whisk with the garlic powder and black pepper.
If you wish to use the fresh garlic, go with 3 garlic cloves to keep it mild. Use more if you like extra garlic flavor. Sautéing your fresh garlic in a small skillet with olive oil before adding to the recipe helps bring out its flavor.
Now add the cream cheese, butter and parmesan to the crockpot.
No need to stir, just turn the crockpot on LOW for 2 hours. Once the 2 hours are up, turn the crockpot off and stir sauce very well.
Replace the lid and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. This last step of waiting can be skipped but it helps to meld the natural flavors together better.
Transfer any unused sauce to an airtight container like a glass jar and refrigerate promptly.
The sauce should keep for up to 3-4 days. When you are ready to use it again, reheat it on the stove in a saucepan over low heat for 10 minutes. Whisk it well and use as before. I do not recommend the microwave as it will heat unevenly and may scorch.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving size: 1 cup | |
| Servings: 6 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 396 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 39.7g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat 25.1g | 125% |
| Cholesterol 118mg | 39% |
| Sodium 396mg | 17% |
| Total Carbohydrate 4.2g | 2% |
| Dietary Fiber 0g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 0.1g | |
| Protein 6.9g | |
| Vitamin D 21mcg | 105% |
| Calcium 132mg | 10% |
| Iron 1mg | 5% |
| Potassium 73mg | 2% |
Ways to use your freshly made gluten free alfredo sauce
Chicken Alfredo Bake:
Try a low carb version of chicken alfredo bake when you put 2 cups steamed cauliflower in a large skillet with 1 1/2 cups cooked, chopped chicken, then cover with alfredo sauce. Top it off with a pinch of Italian Seasoning, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, and 1 cup mozzarella. Bake at 350F for 25 minutes. Finish it by broiling for 5 minutes to get a nice golden brown top. This also works as a great make ahead dish you can prepare and have assembled ready for the oven. This is also a good way to meal prep and get food on the dinner table quick on busy weeknight. Freeze the casserole unbaked up to 3 months if covered properly and put in a plastic freezer bag. Freeze in an 8×8 parchment lined baking dish instead of the skillet for 2 hours then pull out of the dish and transfer to a freezer bag. When you are ready to bake it, pull it out of the freezer the night before and thaw in the fridge. Place in the baking dish with parchment paper and bake for the same amount, 350F for 25 minutes.
Classic Fettuccine Alfredo:
Cook some of your favorite pasta according to package instructions. Top the cooked pasta with some grilled chicken and alfredo sauce. My personal favorite is Tinkyada Gluten Free Brown Rice Fettuccine. Fettuccine Alfredo is perfect for an easy dinner idea. You can substitute in spaghetti noodles but the pasta to creamy texture ratio is not the same and can be too rich.
Tips, Substitutions, FAQs
- You can make this in a saucepan if your crockpot is full or you don’t have one. Make sure you get all of the ingredients together just like for the crockpot. The easiest way is to melt butter at medium-high heat and then add in the rest of the ingredients so you do not scorch the cream. Cook for 3-4 minutes over medium-low heat. Stir until creamy then serve up!
- Try it a different way by pouring this extra creamy sauce over steamed veggies as a cheese topping or try as a tomato free alternative in your favorite lasagna recipe.
- Ground meat can be added to your alfredo sauce, but I recommend going with a mild and low fat meat like ground turkey as the fat in the sauce can be overpowering if you pair it with a fatty meat like ground beef, unless it is lean.
- A great way to add a little heat to your alfredo sauce by finishing it off with a pinch of red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper or a pinch of spicy white pepper.
Can I use low-fat cream cheese in this recipe? While you can substitute low-fat cream cheese for the regular version, but for best results I do not recommend using it. It would taste better to use half and half or whole milk instead of heavy cream to reduce the fat.
How long can the sauce stay on warm in the crockpot? It can stay on warm, but not for more than an hour past the initial cooking time. Even the medium heat of the crockpot on warm will get too hot and have a scorched taste if you leave it in the crock too long.
Can I add different ingredients to customize the sauce? Yes! Alfredo sauce is versatile enough to fit with any type of herbs or spices. It pairs well with vegetables too!
Can I make the alfredo sauce vegetarian by using vegetable broth? You can certainly substitute vegetable broth if preferred. Keep in mind that the choice of broth may subtly alter the sauce’s taste.
Can I freeze Alfredo sauce for later use? Yes, Alfredo sauce freezes well. Allow it to cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers or freezer zip top bags. Frozen sauce can be stored for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in a saucepan over medium low heat.
What’s the difference between Alfredo sauce and white ragu sauce? Alfredo sauce is a type of white sauce made primarily with butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese. On the other hand, white ragu alfredo sauce typically contains meat (such as ground beef or turkey) along with tomatoes, onions, and herbs. Both sauces offer creamy textures but differ in flavor profile and ingredients.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time for a dinner party? Absolutely! Alfredo sauce reheats well, making it an ideal option for entertaining. Prepare the sauce in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use. Reheat gently on the stove or in the crockpot on warm after adding a splash of milk or broth if needed. I would not recommend reheating it a second time or saving it so only heat what you can eat.
Making white ragu sauce in the crockpot is a convenient and delicious way to enjoy homemade Alfredo sauce. By combining simple ingredients like Parmesan, cream cheese, and chicken broth, you can create a creamy and flavorful sauce that’s perfect for tossing with hot fettuccine or your favorite pasta.
Whether you’re cooking for your family or hosting a dinner party, this easy recipe is the best way to get dinner on the table without a fuss that will please everyone’s taste buds! Get out your crockpot, and treat yourself to a comforting bowl of creamy Alfredo goodness!
Nutritional information provided is based on the actual recipe as written. Adjust amounts to fit what ingredients you choose if different than listed.
Easy Gluten Free Crockpot Ragu Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- Crock Pot
- Whisk
- small bowl
Ingredients
- 1 8oz package cream cheese
- 1/2 cup butter 1 stick
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken stock or broth
- 1/3 cup fresh grated cheese: Parmesan or Romano
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder or fresh minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Put the heavy cream and chicken broth in a large bowl and whisk with the garlic powder and black pepper.
- If you wish to use the fresh garlic, go with 3 garlic cloves to keep it mild. Use more if you like extra garlic flavor. Sautéing your fresh garlic in a small skillet with olive oil before adding to the recipe helps bring out its flavor.
- Add this cream mixture to the crockpot along with the cream cheese, butter and parmesan. No need to stir, just turn the crockpot on LOW for 2 hours.
- Once the 2 hours are up, turn the crockpot off and stir sauce very well. Replace the lid and let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
- Transfer any unused sauce to an airtight container like a glass jar and refrigerate promptly. The sauce should keep for up to 3-4 days.
- When you are ready to use it again, reheat it on the stove in a saucepan over low heat for 10 minutes. Whisk it well and use as before.
- I do not recommend the microwave as it will heat unevenly and may scorch.
Notes
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving size: 1 cup | |
| Servings: 6 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 396 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 39.7g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat 25.1g | 125% |
| Cholesterol 118mg | 39% |
| Sodium 396mg | 17% |
| Total Carbohydrate 4.2g | 2% |
| Dietary Fiber 0g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 0.1g | |
| Protein 6.9g | |
| Vitamin D 21mcg | 105% |
| Calcium 132mg | 10% |
| Iron 1mg | 5% |
| Potassium 73mg | 2% |
- You can make this in a saucepan if your crockpot is full or you don’t have one. Make sure you get all of the ingredients together just like for the crockpot. The easiest way is to melt butter at medium-high heat and then add in the rest of the ingredients so you do not scorch the cream. Cook for 3-4 minutes over medium-low heat. Stir until creamy then serve up!
- Try it a different way by pouring this extra creamy sauce over steamed veggies as a cheese topping or try as a tomato free alternative in your favorite lasagna recipe.
- Ground meat can be added to your alfredo sauce, but I recommend going with a mild and low fat meat like ground turkey as the fat in the sauce can be overpowering if you pair it with a fatty meat like ground beef, unless it is lean.
- A great way to add a little heat to your alfredo sauce by finishing it off with a pinch of red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper or a pinch of spicy white pepper.
Nutrition
Don’t forget to PIN the pinnable recipe card to your Pinterest board or print the printable recipe card.
Full disclosure, we are affiliates with various companies and earn a small commission from these companies when you purchase through my affiliate links.
This is at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for supporting my site by leaving a five-star review plus leaving a comment in the comment section with your results.
Leaving a 5 star rating helps my recipe to be seen by more people which helps others have options too!
This helps my great recipes to be shown to more people for my websites’ success!
Come follow me on social media as well as I post new recipes and videos on Instagram and Pinterest all the time!
If you love cast iron as much as I do, then you would absolutely LOVE my 2nd cookbook “Chaffles Cast Iron and The Crock” !!
Try your creamy alfredo sauce with these other gluten free recipes
Easy Gluten Free Low Carb Tortilla Pizza Recipe
Use this creamy alfredo sauce as the pizza sauce and top with chicken or roasted veggies.
Easy Keto Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Recipe with garlic
Skip making the sauce and just sauté up some shrimp in a skillet then add in the prepared alfredo sauce. Immediately serve over pasta or rice.
The Best Gluten Free Keto Friendly Pizza
This whole recipe for Easy Gluten Free Crockpot Ragu Alfredo Sauce would be enough to top a large pizza made in an 11×13 pan. Top with chopped grilled chicken and basil for a great white pizza.
Air Fryer Recipes Beef Bread Breakfast Cakes Coconut Flour Cold Drinks Cookies and Bars Crockpot Recipes Dairy Free Desserts DIY Recipes Donuts Drinks Hot & Cold Fall Recipes Holiday Recipes Hot Drinks Ice Cream & Toppings Instant Pot Recipes Keto Condiments Keto Ingredients Kitchen Tips & Tricks Low Carb Side Dishes Main Dish Muffins Pies Pork Poultry & Seafood Pumpkin Puree Recipes Quick Gluten Free Lunches/Snacks Seasonal Recipes Skillet Meals Summer Recipes Uncategorized Waffles and Pancakes Winter Recipes
2 responses to “Easy Gluten Free Crockpot Ragu Alfredo Sauce Recipe”
Better than a jar sauce! Quick too!
[…] there are and get some ideas to change things up from the traditional pizzas. I also love a good white sauce or alfredo sauce topped with chicken and mozzarella cheese. You could opt to skip the sauce altogether and just go […]