Imagine twirling your fork into a plate of luxuriously smooth, velvety Alfredo pasta that tastes like it was crafted by a professional Italian chef - but you made it in your very own kitchen! This "Alfredo Made EZ" recipe is about to transform your weeknight dinner from ordinary to extraordinary, proving that gourmet cuisine is closer than you think. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal cooking skills, you'll create a dish so decadent, your family will think you've been secretly training in a Tuscan restaurant.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz fettuccine pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add the fettuccine pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta is cooking, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
- Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with the garlic and butter. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
- Reduce heat to low and gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Drain the cooked pasta, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water in case the sauce needs thinning.
- Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the Alfredo sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, add a small amount of reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Serve immediately in warm pasta bowls, garnishing with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best melting and flavor - pre-packaged shredded cheese won't give you the same creamy texture.
- Keep the heat low when making the sauce to prevent curdling and ensure a silky smooth consistency.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining - it's a secret weapon for adjusting sauce thickness and helping the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Serve immediately after mixing pasta and sauce to enjoy the optimal creamy texture.
- For extra richness, you can add a touch of cream cheese or swap half the heavy cream with half-and-half for a slightly lighter version.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 517kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: 20g
Cholesterol: mg
