Description
Creamy Fettuccine Alfredo is a rich, velvety classic Italian pasta dish made with tender fettuccine noodles coated in a luscious sauce of butter, heavy cream, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, accented with garlic and seasoned with salt and pepper. Perfect for cozy dinners or impressing guests, this recipe is quick, customizable, and guarantees indulgent results every time.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz fettuccine pasta
Sauce
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Garnish (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, reserving one cup of pasta water, and set the pasta aside.
- Prepare the sauce base: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and cook gently for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant, but not browned.
- Add cream and simmer: Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Incorporate the Parmesan: Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir constantly until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes silky smooth.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked fettuccine directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Season and serve: Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately to enjoy the creamy Alfredo at its best.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smooth, authentic sauce texture.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and enhance flavor binding.
- Simmer cream gently to avoid separation; do not let it boil.
- Cook pasta al dente to better hold and absorb the sauce.
- Use fresh, unsalted butter for a balanced and clean flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 28 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg