Description
This easy Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe proves that you don’t need a long list of complicated ingredients to create something truly spectacular. It’s the perfect, reliable, and utterly delicious homemade fettuccine alfredo that will have your family asking for it again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) Fettuccine pasta
- 1/2 cup (1 stick or 113g) unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 1/2 cups (360ml) heavy cream, at room temperature
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups (150g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set it aside
- Start the Sauce: While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic brown or it will become bitter
- Add the Cream: Slowly pour in the heavy cream, whisking constantly. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly. Reduce the heat to low
- Melt the Cheese: Gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese to the cream mixture, whisking continuously until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth
- Season the Sauce: Stir in the ground nutmeg, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed
- Combine Everything: Add the drained fettuccine directly to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce. Use tongs to toss the pasta thoroughly, ensuring every strand is coated in the creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water to thin it to your desired consistency
- Serve Immediately: Transfer the creamy fettuccine alfredo to serving plates. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and an extra sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese
Notes
For a sharper flavor, consider substituting half of the Parmesan with Pecorino Romano cheese.
Adding protein like grilled chicken or shrimp turns this into a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 680 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg