Nothing beats an Easy Fettuccine Alfredo sauce like this one! This version is made with heavy cream, parmesan cheese, butter, and your favorite pasta! The sauce is rich and creamy and easy enough for a weeknight meal. No need for the bottled Alfredo sauce because this is ready in about 20 minutes-really!
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Why you'll want to make it
It's quick and easy. This Alfredo sauce is ready in about 20 minutes- perfect for those weeknights when you need a meal quick!
It's made with easy to find fresh and panty staples. You'll be able to whip this Alfredo sauce up so quickly because you probably already have these ingredients in your pantry and fridge.
It's an Italian inspired comfort food that's filling, delicious and kid friendly. Make the family's favorite Italian restaurant meal right at home! We're always craving our favorite restaurant meals, but sometimes it's better to eat at home. This is perfect after a long school or workday, but is delicious enough for company on the weekends.
Ingredients
How do I make Fettuccine Alfredo
Bring 1 cup heavy cream and 2 tablespoons butter to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium low and let simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally and until reduced slightly. Be careful not to let the cream scorch!
While the cream reduces, cook pasta in heavily salted water according to package directions.
When the cream is reduced, remove from heat. Add ¼ cup reserved heavy cream and 1 cup grated parmesan cheese. Stir until the sauce is smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
When pasta is cooked, use a measuring cup to reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, set aside.
Drain pasta (don't rinse) and place in a large serving bowl. Pour alfredo sauce over pasta then stir to coat all the noodles. Add a few splashes of pasta water to get your desired consistency (you may not use all the pasta water). Season with remaining parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes and Tips
Don't boil the heavy cream, just let it simmer down nice and easy. You want to see some bubbles around the edges and some steam rising from the pan.
Be sure to salt the pasta water quite generously. I prefer kosher salt and use about 1-2 tablespoons. If you're using table salt, reduce to 1.2 to 1 tablespoon.
Don't forget to reserve ½ cup of the pasta water after the pasta has been cooked. Scoop some out using a measuring cup. If you forget it's totally okay. I've forgotten on several occasions and it's still delicious.
If you want your dish to be more saucy, use less pasta. I think the sweet spot lies somewhere between 12 and 16 ounces. I usually make 16 ounces of pasta (one pound).
Try different types of pasta. If I'm adding chicken or shrimp, I like to use farfalle (bowties) or penne.
If you want to add garlic, crush two cloves with the back of a knife and simmer it along with the heavy cream. Remove from sauce before adding the parmesan cheese.
A pinch of fresh nutmeg is common in Alfredo sauce, but is totally optional. If you'd like to try it, add it to the sauce after you've stirred in the cheese.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator. You can reheat by microwaving at 50% power or on the stovetop over low heat, stirring gently with a silicone spatula.
What goes with fettuccine alfredo?
This fettuccine Alfredo sauce is great on it's own, but also goes well with grilled or sautéed chicken. If you're a seafood lover, then try it with crab, shrimp, lobster or crawfish.
It's also great served as a main course with a salad, or as a side dish with your favorite grilled meat, like a juicy steak.
If vegetables are your thing try adding sautéed mushrooms and/or steamed broccoli and cauliflower.
But if bacon is your thing, crumble it over the top and your taste buds will be in heaven!
Other quick pasta dishes you may like
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
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Easy Fettuccine Alfredo
Ingredients
- 12 to 16 ounces fettuccine or substitute with your favorite pasta type
- 1 ¼ cup heavy whipping cream; divided
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 ¼ cup finely grated parmesan cheese Romano cheese, or a combination of both; reserve ¼ cup for garnish
- ½ cup pasta cooking water
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring 1 cup heavy cream and 2 tablespoons butter to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium low and let simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally and until reduced slightly. Be careful not to let the cream scorch!
- While cream simmers, cook pasta in heavily salted water according to package directions to al dente, or desired tenderness.
- When the cream is reduced, remove from heat. Add ¼ cup reserved heavy cream and 1 cup grated parmesan cheese. Stir until the sauce is smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- When pasta is cooked, use a measuring cup to reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, set aside.
- Drain pasta (don’t rinse) then immediately put into a large serving bowl (you want the noodles to be slightly wet).
- Pour the Alfredo sauce over the pasta tossing to coat all the noodles. Add a few splashes of reserved pasta water (you won't use use all of it) until desired consistency is reached. Top with reserved parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
- Sauce will continue to thicken as it cools so add a few more splashes of pasta water to bowl if needed to loosen the sauce.
Notes
- Don't boil the heavy cream, just let it simmer down nice and easy. You want to see some bubbles around the edges and some steam rising from the pan.
- Be sure to salt the pasta water quite generously. I prefer kosher salt and use about 1-2 tablespoons. If you're using table salt, reduce to 1.2 to 1 tablespoon.
- Don't forget to reserve ½ cup of the pasta water after the pasta has been cooked. Scoop some out using a measuring cup. If you forget it's totally okay. I've forgotten on several occasions and it's still delicious.
- If you want your dish to be more saucy, use less pasta. I think the sweet spot lies somewhere between 12 and 16 ounces. I usually make 16 ounces of pasta (one pound).
- Try different types of pasta. If I'm adding chicken or shrimp, I like to use farfalle (bowties) or penne.
- If you want to add garlic, crush two cloves with the back of a knife and simmer it along with the heavy cream. Remove from sauce before adding the parmesan cheese.
- A pinch of fresh nutmeg is common in Alfredo sauce, but is totally optional. If you'd like to try it, add it to the sauce after you've stirred in the cheese.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator. You can reheat by microwaving at 50% power or on the stovetop over low heat, stirring gently with a silicone spatula.
Emily
I made this for my boyfriend’s birthday dinner and it was a hit! I subbed heavy cream for half and half, but otherwise I followed the instructions exactly.
Nikole Berg
Thanks Emily! It's a family favorite, as your boyfriend knows. Hope you two had a relaxing night in!
Elizabeth Endsley
Perfect!
Nikole
Thank you so much for your comment Elizabeth!
Bea
I made this instead of using the bottled stuff. It was very good!
Nikole
That's great! I'm so happy you enjoyed it! Thanks for your comments Bea!