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With a handful of ingredients, creamy Fettuccine Alfredo takes just minutes to make. It’s an easy, cheesy family favorite!
Fettuccine Alfredo is a classic dinner that is quick and perfect for picky eaters! Add chicken to make this even heartier or for a crowd, or try our Alfredo Casserole.
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.
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.
- Hearty + delicious. Who doesn’t love a good pasta dinner? With the Alfredo sauce and cheese, this dish is so delicious and filling.
- Great for even picky kids! Even our most picky kids love this dish, which means it’s a winner in our books!
What’s 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.
Alfredo ingredients
- Fettuccine Pasta – it’s classic, but we also like Linguine or Penne Pasta.
- Unsalted Butter
- Minced Garlic
- Heavy Whipping Cream – We highly recommend whipping cream, but a whole fat milk or half and half does work too.
- Parmesan cheese – We put this in and on top of the fettuccine.
- Seasonings – Salt (we love the garlic salt with parsley flakes), Garlic pepper or black pepper as well as any fresh herbs to top off include: basil, thyme, rosemary
How to make Fettuccine alfredo
- PASTA. In a large pot, boil and drain fettuccine noodles according to the package instructions (until al dente).
- BUTTER + GARLIC. While the noodles are cooking, add 2 TB butter to a large skillet and medium heat and let melt. Add the minced garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes.
- SAUCE. Add whipping cream and bring it to a simmer. Lastly, add 1 cup Parmesan Cheese and mix well. (Sauce will thicken up.)
- COMBINE + SERVE. Add pasta to the cream mixture and stir until covered. Top with garlic pepper (salt if needed) and more Parmesan Cheese.
What’s the 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.
Recipe Tips
- 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.
- Make it without cream. For a lighter version of Alfredo Pasta, substitute the heavy cream. Some good substitutions for heavy cream are milk, half ‘n half, greek yogurt, or cream cheese.
- Variations. Mix in cooked veggies (broccoli is our fav) or top with grilled chicken breast, sliced sausage, or shrimp. Garnish or sprinkle with fresh herbs (fresh parsley or thyme) to make the dish look even more delicious.
What to Serve with?
When it comes to sides for this dish, most Italian-style appetizers, sides, and salads work. Here are some of the favorites we like to serve with Fettuccine:
How to Store
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
REHEAT. It’s a little tricky, but it’s best to reheat it slowly over low heat. Low and slow on the stove. This will help prevent the sauce from separating.
Make sure to stir it continuously to keep the sauce together. Add a little bit of milk to smooth it up a bit, if needed.
For more pasta recipes:
Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb fettuccine pasta
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic pepper
Instructions
- Cook noodles as directed on the package.
- While the noodles are cooking, add 2 TB butter to a pan and let melt. Add the minced garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes.
- Add whipping cream and bring to a simmer. Add 1 cup Parmesan Cheese and mix well. (Sauce will thicken up)
- Add pasta and mix until covered. Top with garlic pepper (salt if needed) and more Parmesan Cheese.
Video
Notes
- 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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe modified from Love, Pomegranate House.
My family loves this! It’s super easy to make
This is our go-to recipe for fettuccine!! It is super easy to make & so good!! My family loves it!
I always have the ingredients on hand for this recipe. It comes together quickly and everybody loves it. One of the best and fastest recipes.
So easy and delicious!! This will definitely be on the menu rotation!!
So happy to hear that! Thank you so much for sharing that 🙂
CAn you use homemade pasta
You for sure could 😉 Enjoy!
I can’t tell you how many nights this recipe has saved my BACON. Its soooo simple and the kids love it!! Thx!
I love the recipes that dont require much effort. Especially when Im in a rush. I try to always have my most favorIte ingredients around. This recipe has all my favorIte stuff and its ready in 15 minutes.
This is so easy to make and it tastes so delicious! my family loves whenever they get a chance to eat this!
I have made this quite a few times, now. it is our favorite. I love how easy it is to make & it’s so creamy. we love adding chicken to make even more filling! my kids & hubby love it!
Love the look of all your recipes. However, if you could please put the Weight Watchers Freestyle Points in the recipe, it would be most helpful.
Thank you