Creamy Homemade Fettuccine Alfredo
A quick and easy recipe for a rich, silky, and comforting homemade fettuccine Alfredo sauce made with butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for cozy dinners and crowd-pleasing meals.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces (340 grams) fettuccine pasta (fresh preferred, dried works too)
- 6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups (150 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 ounces (340 grams) of fettuccine and cook until al dente (10-12 minutes for dried, 2-3 minutes for fresh). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Reserve 1 cup (240 ml) of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, melt 6 tablespoons (85 grams) of unsalted butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Add 2 minced garlic cloves if using and sauté gently for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Slowly pour in 1 cup (240 ml) of heavy cream, stirring to combine. Let it warm through for 2-3 minutes without boiling vigorously.
- Remove skillet from heat and gradually whisk in 1 1/2 cups (150 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until completely melted and sauce is smooth. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Add drained fettuccine directly into the skillet with sauce. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat every strand. Warm on low heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring to marry flavors. Adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Plate immediately and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Add a fresh crack of black pepper before serving.
Notes
Use fresh Parmesan cheese for best melt and flavor. Avoid boiling sauce after adding cheese to prevent separation. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. For lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream. Gluten-free pasta can be used for dietary needs. Reheat leftovers gently with a splash of milk or cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 45
- Saturated Fat: 28
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 22
Keywords: fettuccine alfredo, creamy pasta, homemade alfredo sauce, easy dinner, comfort food, parmesan pasta, quick pasta recipe