Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta (2024)

Published: by Alicia This post may contain affiliate links.

Mozzarella alfredo pasta sauce is a creamy and delicious pasta sauce without any parmesan! Made with mozzarella cheese, garlic, butter, and cream, it's the perfect base for a simple fettuccine alfredo. It's the perfect 20 minute meal for a cozy dinner.

You'll love this mozzarella alfredo as a side dish or a main dish when paired with grilled shrimp or chicken. Or you can keep it vegetarian and add broccoli, mushrooms, or spinach.

This incredible comfort food is up there with my Boursin Pasta recipe - just so easy! I love to pair it with a simple salad, like this Apple Fennel Salad, Brussels Sprouts, or Roasted Carrots.

Since mozzarella is also a lower sodium cheese, this alfredo sauce without parmesan is a great low sodium pasta sauce option.

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Jump to:
  • Alfredo Sauce with Mozzarella Cheese
  • What Mozzarella is Best for Pasta?
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Mozzarella Alfredo Sauce
  • Recipe Tip
  • Substitutions and Variations
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storage Information
  • Recipe FAQ
  • Pasta Recipes
  • Mozzarella Alfredo Sauce

Alfredo Sauce with Mozzarella Cheese

Why make homemade alfredo sauce with mozzarella cheese and not parmesan? For some of my readers, this has to do with tyramine content. Parmesan cheese is both high in glutamate and tyramine which is not always brain-friendly. Making a mozzarella alfredo sauce is also low histamine! I knew I had to try to re-create that creamy, classic sauce, but for those who either only had mozzarella in their fridge, or those looking for an alternative to parmesan.

I love this recipe because the texture is super cheesy, especially since you get that great cheesy pull that mozzarella gives. And although you miss some of that umami flavor from parmesan, the garlic and butter provide lots of great flavor.

You'll love this mozzarella alfredo recipe because:

  • 5 ingredients - Not a lot of grocery shopping required for this recipe.
  • Low histamine and tyramine - Great for those who cannot tolerate aged cheese.
  • 20 minute meal - This recipe is so easy to make!
  • Versatile - Keep this simple as a side dish or add grilled proteins or vegetables.
  • Special diet friendly - This recipe fits gluten free, vegetarian, and migraine diets. This mozzarella alfredo sauce is also much lower sodium that parmesan.
Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta (2)

What Mozzarella is Best for Pasta?

I've tested this mozzarella alfredo sauce 2 different ways - with fresh high moisture mozzarella, and with low moisture mozzarella.

This recipe works best with low moisture style as the high moisture kind can become a little clumpy and stringy. That being said, both turned out delicious. I found that adding the mozzarella at the very end and mixing with tongs prevented everything from being too clumpy. I also recommend grating a block yourself over buying pre-grated, but shredded works too.

Using a whole milk/fat mozzarella will give you the best flavor and texture. Boar's Head and Calabro are some of my favorite brands.

Ingredients

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  • Mozzarella - Choose a low moisture mozzarella as discussed above, or use my tips for cooking with a fresh mozzarella cheese.
  • Butter - A quality European butter or Kerrygold are my go-to's since this has such limited ingredients and mozzarella doesn't have the same depth of flavor as other aged cheeses.
  • Heavy Cream - Look for one without carrageenan.
  • Garlic
  • Pasta - I recommend linguine or fettuccine, but any pasta can be used.
  • Parsley - Totally optional, but makes a great garnish.

How to Make Mozzarella Alfredo Sauce

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Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package directions. Most importantly, reserve at least 1 cup of the pasta water for making the sauce.

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Step 2: Make the Alfredo Sauce

Begin by using a large pan that can support you putting the pasta in it. Melt butter over medium heat, then add in the minced garlic. Stir often so it does not brown. Pour in the heavy cream and bring everything to a simmer. Simmer the sauce till it becomes thick and you can see a visible line when you run a wood spoon through it.

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Step 3: Add in the Pasta

Add in the pasta and begin to coat it with the cream sauce. Add in pasta water till you get the desired thickness. Then, over low heat, add in the mozzarella shreds. The mozzarella cheese is best mixed in with tongs. Keep mixing the pasta till all the cheese has melted. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste, then garnish with parsley.

Recipe Tip

If you do end up using a high moisture mozzarella, don't worry. Although the texture won't be as ideal and it may clump, it's still very delicious. Just make sure you serve it quickly and warm. You could troubleshoot this by making it into more of a baked pasta, and heat it in the oven with some cooked veggies.

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Substitutions and Variations

  • Pasta - Use any type of pasta you like whether it's chickpea pasta, cassava, regular wheat pasta, fresh pasta, dried pasta. This sauce would also work over spaghetti squash but may not mix quite as well. I'd make it more into a casserole.
  • Mozzarella - If you can't find a particular mozzarella that will work, try this Boursin pasta instead.
  • Protein - I recommend adding grilled shrimp or baked chicked.
  • Vegetables - To add vegetables, sauté them in the same pan before making the sauce. I would recommend sliced mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, chopped asparagus spears or broccoli.
  • Sauce for chicken or fish - You don't just have to use this mozzarella alfredo sauce over pasta, but it can also work over chicken or fish.
  • Heavy cream - Heavy cream thickens while reducing much better than half and half or milk, so this recipe doesn't require flour or cornstarch (or any type of thickener) to be added. If you want to substitute the heavy cream, you will need to thicken the sauce by adding one of these.
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Serving Suggestions

If you intend to make this pasta with mozzarella into a main dish, I highly recommend serving with one of these side dish pairings:

  • Apple Fennel Salad
  • Roasted Carrots
  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Warm baguette

For a main dish pairing, I recommend:

  • Apple cider pork chops
  • Roasted pork loin or air fryer pork
  • Baked beef kabobs or air fryer flank steak
  • Simple salmon

Storage Information

This mozzarella alfredo pasta is best if it's served right away. It can be stored in the fridge up to 3 days, but will not reheat quite as well. To reheat, I recommend covering the dish with a paper towel and microwaving in 30 second increments, stirring often. Or place it into a small skillet and add a little bit of heavy cream, stirring often over medium low heat until it is heated through.

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Recipe FAQ

Can I use mozzarella instead of parmesan in fettuccine?

Yes! This is what this mozzarella alfredo sauce recipe helps you do. While it does change the flavor and bit of the texture, it's still got the same elements of the creamy comfort food you love.

What's the best way to melt mozzarella?

For this pasta, you want to melt the mozzarella over low heat so it doesn't burn or curdle. Using the tongs to toss the pasta with the cream sauce, it should help to evenly incorporate the cheese throughout.

My pasta clumped up, what did I do wrong?

If you read the notes about mozzarella, sometimes different brands can cook different ways, or perhaps the way it was heated just didn't work out. Don't worry, the recipe will still taste delicious and will just have more of a casserole-like texture.

Can you freeze mozzarella alfredo sauce?

I don't recommend freezing this alfredo sauce, but for a great pasta recipe that can be meal prepped, try this lazy lasagna.

Pasta Recipes

For more delicious and creamy pasta recipes without parmesan, check out these posts. You may especially love my Mascarpone Pasta!

  • Creamy Boursin Pasta
  • Baked Goat Cheese Pasta
  • Salmon and Broccoli Pasta
  • Pumpkin Sage Pasta

If you make this, tag me #thedizzycook or @thedizzycook onFacebookandInstagram. And if you love the recipe, please leave a review below! Follow along on my Pinterest for more great recipes.

Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta (15)

Mozzarella Alfredo Sauce

Made without parmesan cheese, this simple mozzarella alfredo pasta is delicious and the perfect comfort food!

5 from 10 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Low Salt

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 539kcal

Author: Alicia

Ingredients

  • 8 oz fettuccine pasta
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • cups heavy cream
  • 3 large cloves garlic
  • 1 cup mozzarella freshly shredded, full fat and low moisture recommended
  • teaspoon ground black pepper
  • kosher salt
  • Optional: Italian parsley and nutmeg

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook pasta according to package directions and drain, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water.

  • In a large pan big enough to hold the pasta, melt butter over medium heat, then stir in garlic and sauté about 1 minute till soft. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a low simmer, stirring often with a wood spoon till thick and leaves a line in the pan when stirred (about 5-6 minutes).Add in the cooked pasta, using tongs to toss with the cream sauce till it's well-coated.

  • Add in the mozzarella cheese, and continue to toss the pasta with the tongs till the cheese has melted. Add ¼ cup of hot pasta water if more liquid is needed to keep the pasta creamy and glossy.Taste and adjust any seasonings, adding salt, pepper, or a pinch of nutmeg as needed. Top with parsley, if desired.

  • Serve immediately and warm! The longer the pasta sits and cools, the more the cheese will begin to firm up again.

Notes

  • For best results, choose a low moisture mozzarella with full fat/whole milk - freshly grated preferred! I recommend Boar's Head or Calabro. I've also used fresh mozzarella for this and it does taste good, but it also gets a little more watery and firms up.
  • Tongs will help to best mix the pasta sauce and cheese with the pasta.
  • Mozzarella is already a low sodium cheese, so to make this lower sodium, don't use salted water for the pasta. For gluten free, use gluten free pasta, or just use the sauce alone over vegetables or chicken.

Nutrition

Calories: 539kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 173mg | Sodium: 279mg | Potassium: 245mg | Fiber: 2g | Vitamin A: 1562IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 268mg | Iron: 1mg

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Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta (16)

About Alicia

Alicia is a vestibular migraine advocate and the bestselling author of The Dizzy Cook: Managing Migraine with More Than 90 Comforting Recipes and Lifestyle Tips. Her articles and recipes have been featured by Healthline, Parade, mindbodygreen, Today, Good Morning Texas, the Vestibular Disorders Association, and the American Migraine Foundation. Read More

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta (17)Lacey Cummings says

    What brand of heavy cream do you suggest?

    Reply

    • Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta (18)Alicia says

      I like to use organic valley or horizon.

      Reply

  2. Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta (19)Anna says

    Hi my name is Anna. my son used to like fettuccine, but can't have anything with dairy. Please help 🙏

    Reply

  3. Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta (20)Traci Thau says

    This dish is fantastic and easy to make gluten-free. I also made mine light on the dairy as I've been dairy-free for years and recently experimenting with adding some migraine-friendly cheeses back into my diet. I swapped out the butter and heavy cream for Earth Balance Soy Free Butter and Oatmilk with 3 TBSPs of arrowroot flour to thicken it. Everyone loved it so the next time I made a double batch and froze it. It freezes well! I put the leftovers in individual Rubbermaid containers. I microwaved it in a regular bowl spritzed it with a little bit of olive oil and covered it with a microwave plastic cover. I used the reheat pasta setting on my micro. Perfect! It was no longer El Dente like I made it but it wasn't squishy either. The best is I didn't have to cook dinner when I was sick. Great recipe!

    Reply

  4. Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta (21)Susan says

    Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta (22)
    Was missing fettuccine, this hit the spot!

    Reply

  5. Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta (23)Annie says

    Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta (24)
    Fantastic. You got my 2 year old to eat!!!!

    Reply

  6. Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta (25)Crystal says

    Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta (26)
    This recipe was absolutely delicious! My family loved it!! Super easy to make, food triggers or not..this will always be a go to meal for me ❤️

    Reply

  7. Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta (27)Jenna Ann says

    Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta (28)
    So delicious and we even used the fresh mozzarella but I found it to be fine for us. We really like the Boursin pasta but agree this is more like alfredo!

    Reply

  8. Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta (29)Christina says

    Can you use any shredded mozzarella and still be in accordance with the elimination diet?

    Reply

  9. Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta (30)Sabrina Doan says

    Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta (31)
    Another pasta hit, Alicia! I just made this today and although I love the flavors of the Boursin pasta a bit more, this recipe tastes more like the classic fettuccine Alfredo. I freshly grated Target brand blocked mozzarella cheese. I added seasoned shrimp and bell peppers to mine and it came out beautiful and delicious! My daughter also loved it, so it's a keeper! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  10. Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta (32)Angela King says

    Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta (33)
    Loved it! So easy to make.

    Reply

    • Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta (34)Alicia says

      Thanks, Angela!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Mozzarella Alfredo Pasta (2024)

FAQs

Can I use mozzarella instead of parmesan in Alfredo? ›

Parmesan is the signature flavor in Alfredo sauce but you can also combine it with other cheeses for additional flavor. You can also make a a completely different sauce/different flavor profile by swapping the Parmesan for another melting cheese such as mozzarella, Asiago, Gouda, smoked cheddar, Monterrey, etc.

Does mozzarella melt in pasta sauce? ›

The softer and milkier your cheese is to begin with, the more it will melt and run, while firm varieties, usually those that have been salted, will retain more of their shape. Both types work well here. Firm mozzarella will give you pockets of supple but not-quite-melted cheese.

Can I use mozzarella cheese for pasta? ›

Use different cheeses. Mozzarella and Parmesan are traditionally served with Baked Spaghetti, but you can add whatever your family likes – cheddar cheese is also a popular option.

What is a substitute for Parmesan cheese in Alfredo sauce? ›

Shredded mozzarella cheese - Other cheeses that can be substituted for Parmesan include Asiago cheese, Pecorino Romano Cheese, and Gruyere cheese. Italian seasoning - You can substitute fresh herbs.

Is mozzarella or Parmesan better for pasta? ›

Parmesan is the classic choice, and there's never a recipe that won't be complemented by this versatile cheese! Traditional parmesan from Italy can only be called Parmigiano-Reggiano if it's from designated areas of the country, but the recipe has been exported across the world.

Do Parmesan and mozzarella go together? ›

together in perfect harmony with our Ricotta Cheese. Pizza recipe 🧀 https://www.cento.com/recipes/pizza/ricotta_pizza.

When should you add mozzarella to pasta? ›

Add the pasta and toss to emulsify and continue to cook the pasta for 1 more minute (until al dente). Remove the pan from the heat and add 12 ounces of fresh mozzarella balls. Give the pasta another toss; the residual heat will slightly melt the mozzarella balls.

Why is my mozzarella cheese not melting in sauce? ›

Fresh mozzarella does not melt well because it is stored in brine. Because of the high moisture content, fresh mozzarella releases water when it melts. This can ruin your pizza and make it watery. You can use processed mozzarella in your pizza, or you can use a mix of milk, half-and-half, or cream.

Can you put mozzarella on top of pasta? ›

Mix the spaghetti with the tomato sauce and basil, then spoon half into a large ovenproof dish. Arrange half the mozzarella over the top and sprinkle with half the Parmesan. Repeat the layers, then bake for 15-20 mins until lightly browned on top. Scatter with extra basil and serve with a big green salad.

Can mozzarella replace parmesan in pasta? ›

You can choose any cheese as you like but parmesan and mozzarella are greatly different cheeses. Parmesan is a lot dryer and sharper taste than mozzarella. If a recipe calls for parmesan you can use mozzarella but the recipe will come out much different.

How to thicken alfredo sauce? ›

The easiest way to accomplish this is to mix about a spoonful of cornstarch to 2 spoonfuls of liquid – it could be water or chicken stock or even milk. You will add this mixture, also called a slurry to the sauce and as it starts to cook, the sauce will thicken.

Why won t my Parmesan cheese melt in my Alfredo sauce? ›

The pre-grated packaged parmesan won't melt into the alfredo sauce nearly as well. Instead, buy a brick of parmesan and use a grater to grate it fresh. Don't bring to a boil.

Is Parmesan necessary for Alfredo? ›

It's a cream sauce, fortified with butter and flavored by garlic and Parmesan. I've known people to add a scant pinch of nutmeg, which I'll forgive because it's tasty. If you omit the Parmesan, and substitute a different cheese, it's no longer Alfredo sauce, it's a cheese sauce of the type you used.

Is shredded or grated Parmesan better for Alfredo? ›

Cheese – When you're making homemade Alfredo sauce you need lots of good quality Parmesan! You'll want shredded Parmesan cheese, not the dry powdery stuff.

Is it OK to use mozzarella cheese instead of Parmesan? ›

Can I use mozzarella instead of parmesan in fettuccine? Yes! This is what this mozzarella alfredo sauce recipe helps you do. While it does change the flavor and bit of the texture, it's still got the same elements of the creamy comfort food you love.

How can I thicken Alfredo sauce without Parmesan? ›

White Flour

Flours can be used to make a bit of a slurry and add to the sauce to make it thicker. 1 part flour to 2 parts liquid and then adding it to your sauce should thicken it nicely. Just make sure that when you make the slurry, there are no lumps in your mixture.

What can you use if you don't have Parmesan? ›

The Best Parmesan Cheese Substitutes – Dairy
  • Pecorino. Pecorino is very similar in style to parmesan but it's made from sheeps milk and had a sharper, more acidic flavour. ...
  • Halloumi. ...
  • Feta. ...
  • Goats Cheese. ...
  • Cheddar. ...
  • Ricotta Salata. ...
  • Gruyère Cheese. ...
  • Comté Cheese.

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