This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Fettuccine Alfredo
Fettuccine pasta topped with a homemade rich decadent alfredo sauce
There are certain recipes that are essential to have in your recipe box and one of them has to be a phenomenal Fettuccine alfredo recipe. Years ago, when I was teaching kids’ cooking classes, this was one of the first things I taught them. Almost every single kid around goes crazy for alfredo sauce! It is so easy to make a homemade alfredo sauce that you will never buy the jarred variety again!
This homemade alfredo sauce is made with simple ingredients — butter, parmesan cheese, garlic, heavy cream, and salt. It’s a 5-ingredient alfredo sauce that is beyond easy!
If you are looking for a lighter version, I created a low-fat fettuccine alfredo version called Skinny Fettuccine Alfredo. You can find the recipe HERE.
This homemade alfredo sauce can be tossed with the pasta so the pasta soaks up all of the sauce or it can be spooned over hot, fresh pasta. I love to use fresh refrigerated fettuccine noodles because it tastes that much better. If you want the fettuccine alfredo to be a little more “saucy” toss the sauce with less than one pound of pasta (you may start with 12 ounces of fettuccine).
Tips for making PERFECT FETTUCCINE ALFREDO:
- Start by bringing water to a boil in a large pot. Add salt to the water to season the pasta. Once it is boiling, add pasta and cook according to package instructions.
- Saute the garlic and butter together until softened — about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add heavy cream and let simmer over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes to thicken. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add half of the parmesan cheese to the mixture and whisk well until smooth.
- Save some pasta water. The pasta water is full of flavor and can be used to thin out the sauce.
- Toss alfredo sauce with fettuccine pasta and add half of the parmesan cheese. Once it is tossed, garnish with the remaining parmesan cheese. Add a little pasta water if it needs to be thinned out.
- Garnish with Italian parsley, if so desired.
Pin on PINTEREST:
Pin this now to find it later
Pin It
Fettuccine Alfredo
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb Fettuccine Pasta
- 6 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 Garlic Clove (minced)
- 1 1/2 cups Heavy Cream
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1 1/4 cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon Pepper
- 2 Tablespoons Italian Parsley (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat water over high heat until boiling. Add salt to season the water. Once it is boiling, add fettuccine and cook according to package instructions.
- In a large skillet or pan, heat butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in heavy cream.
- Let heavy cream reduce and cook for 5 to 8 minutes. Add half of the parmesan cheese to the mixture and whisk well until smooth. Keep over heat and whisk well until cheese is melted.
- Save some pasta water. The pasta water is full of flavor and can be used to thin out the sauce.
- Toss alfredo sauce with fettuccine pasta and add half of the parmesan cheese. Once it is tossed, garnish with the remaining parmesan cheese. Add a little pasta water if it needs to be thinned out.
- Garnish with Italian parsley, if so desired.
Video
Notes
- Use real parmesan cheese, which is refrigerated.
- If you like it to be more "saucy", you may use less than 1 lb. of fettuccine pasta.
- Leftover pasta water may be used to thin out pasta sauce.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I hope you love this fettuccine pasta with homemade alfredo sauce. Happy Cooking, my friends!
I love this recipe so much. I discovered it a few years ago and have been making it ever since. I add more garlic because I am excessive. My entire family begs me to make this often. Thank you for sharing your gift with the rest of us.
Thanks so much for following Kristen! 🙂
I made Fettucini Alfredo last night. My fiance LOVED it. Thank you so much, as this recipe is easy and delicious. We will make again and again. We added grilled chicken to this and it was fab!
I am so happy it was a hit! Thank you so much for your comment Renee. 🙂
It was the most delicious,original,and tastiest thing I have ever tasted .I loved it so much and every one who likes Fettuccine Alfredo should try it I recommend it.
Thank you so much for making this recipe Melissa!
This is the best recipe I’ve found ! It is so delicious. I will only be making it this way from now on! Thank you soooo much !!!
Thank you for making this recipe Samantha!
Delicious. Followed recipe perfectly but added some cooked chicken at the end. Loved it.
Me encanto, la voy a preparar
I haven’t made it yet, but I have a question about the cheese. Does it mean add 1/2 + 1/8 cup the first time it says add 1/2 the cheese, leaving 1/2 + 1/8. Then the next time it says add 1/2 of the cheese, it means 1/4+1/16. And then last time the remaining 1/4 +1/16? I realize it won’t be that exact, but I don’t want to do the wrong thing if I’m just reading the recipe incorrectly. TIA.
I added about 3/4 cup cheese the first time then added the rest for the second time. Turned out great.
Delicious. Easy to make and very delicious
This was great! Everyone loved it!
Easy and delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipe.