Low Carb Alfredo Sauce Recipe

A good Alfredo sauce recipe can turn just about any dish into a luxurious meal, and best of all, it's naturally high in fat and low in carb, making it a perfect choice for a ketogenic diet.

Interestingly, Alfredo sauce was invented in 1914 in Rome, Italy, and the restaurant where it began is still in business today.

The recipe I developed below includes a touch of ham for a truly spectacular taste treat. It's adapted from George Stella's Livin' Low Carb cookbook.

Ellen's Alfredo Sauce Recipe

4 tablespoons of butter
1 cup minced baked ham
1 cup heavy cream
1 large egg yolk
1.5 cups freshly grated asiago cheese
1/2 teaspoon granuated garlic
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon herb of your choice (parsley, basil, thyme are good - optional)
Salt and pepper (to taste)

To make the sauce:

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
Add the ham and saute for about 3 minutes.
Whisk in the cream and egg yolk and cook for 5-6 minutes more, reducing the heat to medium low.
Add the granulated garlic and grated cheese and whisk in. Simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add to your favorite vegetable or chicken dish. This is particularly good over chicken and broccoli.
Serve immediately.

Smoked Gouda Alfredo Sauce

Here's a interesting variation on the Alfredo sauce idea. Smoked gouda gives a creamy, smoky taste to the sauce. It's wonderful over cooked spinach or just about any vegetable. It's also excellent over omelets.

4 tablespoons of butter
1 cup heavy cream
1 large egg yolk
1.5 cups freshly grated smoked gouda cheese
1/2 teaspoon paprika
pinch of ground nutmeg
Salt and pepper (to taste)

To make the sauce:

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Whisk in the cream and egg yolk and cook for 5-6 minutes more, reducing the heat to medium low.
Add the grated cheese and whisk in. Simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.