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A buttery cheese sauce and only a 5 minute prep, what’s not to love?!
We all love Fettuccine alfredo!
Fettuccine Alfredo happens to be one of the recipes that everyone has a version of. It also happens to be one of my kids’ favorite dinner recipes that we eat on repeat.
We love it for so many reasons:
- It’s simple! From start to finish, this recipe can be made in about 30 minutes.
- Easy to add to. Add your favorite veggies or a meat like sausage or Chicken to make a delicious Chicken Alfredo.
- Great for even picky kids! Even our most picky kids love this dish, which means it’s a winner in our books!
ingredients
PREP TIME: 5 minutes
COOK TIME: 30 minutes
- 1 pound fettuccine pasta – fettuccine is traditional, but we also like linguine or penne pasta. See this How to Cook Pasta post for tips.
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic – you’ll need to mince 2 cloves
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream – about 2 cups. For a lighter version, substitute the heavy cream with milk, half ‘n half, greek yogurt, or fat-free cream cheese.
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese – plus more for a topping
- ½ teaspoon garlic pepper – or garlic salt with parsley flakes. I often add black pepper and garnish with fresh herbs like chopped parsley, basil, thyme, and rosemary.
How to make Fettuccine alfredo
- PASTA. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook 1 pound of fettuccine noodles to al dente as directed on the package. Drain.
- SAUCE. While the noodles are cooking, add 2 tablespoons butter to a pan and melt. Add 2 teaspoons minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
- Add 1 pint heavy whipping cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in 1 cup parmesan cheese and mix well. (Sauce will thicken).
- SERVE. Toss pasta into the cream mixture and mix until covered. Top with ½ teaspoon garlic pepper and more parmesan cheese.
Adjust the SAuce
Thicken the sauce. We typically add a little bit more Parmesan cheese to thicken the sauce, but you can also add flour. To make it more thick and cheesy, add ½-1 cup shredded Parmesan or Mozzarella cheese before serving.
Thin the sauce. Add a little pasta water or more heavy cream to thin out the sauce.
Complete the Meal
- SIDE DISHES: Fried Zucchini, Pesto Salad, Cheesy Garlic Bread
- DESSERTS: Panna Cotta Recipe, Italian Cookies, Cream Puff Recipe
- More PASTA DISHES: Sausage Penne Pasta, Baked Ravioli, Pesto Pasta
More collections: Italian Dinner Recipes, Vegetarian Pasta Recipes, Easy Pasta Recipes
Fettuccine Alfredo
With a handful of ingredients, creamy Fettuccine Alfredo takes just minutes to make. It's an easy, cheesy family favorite!
Ingredients
- 1 pound fettuccine pasta
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for a topping
- ½ teaspoon garlic pepper, or garlic salt
Instructions
- Cook 1 pound of fettuccine noodles as directed on the package.
- While the noodles are cooking, add 2 tablespoons butter to a pan and melt. Add 2 teaspoons minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
- Add 1 pint heavy whipping cream and bring to a simmer. Add 1 cup parmesan cheese and mix well. (Sauce will thicken).
- Add pasta and mix until covered. Top with ½ teaspoon garlic pepper and more parmesan cheese.
Video
Notes
STORE. Place Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe in an airtight container or covered bowl and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
FREEZE. I have successfully stored this dish in the freezer many times. I often make a double batch so I have enough to freeze for another day.
- Place the pasta into a Freezer Ziploc, remove as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop
Nutrition
Calories: 663kcal, Carbohydrates: 57g, Protein: 18g, Fat: 40g, Saturated Fat: 24g, Cholesterol: 193mg, Sodium: 346mg, Potassium: 258mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 1455IU, Vitamin C: 0.7mg, Calcium: 277mg, Iron: 1.6mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Recipe modified from Love, Pomegranate House.
Recipe FAQ
the Difference Between Alfredo and Fettuccine?
- Alfredo is the Italian-American white sauce we all know and love.
- Fettuccine is the long, skinny pasta most of us like to enjoy with our Alfredo sauce.
difference between Alfredo sauce and white sauce (bechamel)?
- Both sauces are dairy-based, but White Sauce is thickened with a roux made with butter and flour while Alfredo Sauce uses heavy creamy and is thickened by reduction on the stovetop and not with a roux.
Variations?
- Mix in cooked veggies (broccoli is our fav) or top with grilled chicken breast, sliced sausage, or shrimp.
How to Store Fettuccine Alfredo?
- Fridge: Place fettuccine alfredo in an airtight container or covered bowl and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: I often make a double batch so I have enough to freeze for another day. Place the pasta into a freezer ziploc, remove as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop.
How do I Reheat Fettuccine Alfredo?
- This dish, especially if frozen, can take on a dry somewhat gritty texture. The best way to reheat to keep it smooth and creamy is low heat and slow on the stove. Add a bit of milk or cream to add moisture and smooth out the sauce.
Looks delicious!!!!
Love this recipe, I have made it numerous times.
Always love your recipes, I’ve only ever used your baking recipes so it was fun to try out this one! Can’t wait to make it again. Only thing I would change is I’d add some salt and herbs!!
I added chicken and mushrooms, it turned out delicious
Delicious, quick to make, super easy. I added cooked shrimp to it. Yummy 😋
Highly recommend this recipe ❤️
Love the recipe and it’s a dinner favorite. Are there any ideas why my sauce is not as creamy as others describe? I follow the instructions but it seems more watery than described.
So the sauce will thicken as it simmers. Make sure it has simmered for an adequate amount of time. If it still isn’t thickening, you can always add more parmesan cheese. Or, measure out 1/4 cup of sauce, whisk in 1-2 tablespoons of flour, then return to the sauce. Hope that helps!
This has been a favorite of mine for a very long time. This is easy to make and so good.