Fettuccine Alfredo is an Italian dish that is super easy to make at home. The rich and creamy alfredo sauce contains both cream cheese and Parmesan cheese for a delicious flavor.
The sauce comes together so quickly that it’ll be done by the time your pasta is perfectly cooked. Follow these keys to success for perfect results every time.
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Key to Success #1 – Perfectly Cook the Fettuccine
The first step in making Fettuccine Alfredo is cooking the pasta.
Fill a large stockpot with water and heat it on high heat until the water is boiling.
When the water starts boiling, add about 1 tablespoon of salt. Then add the pasta to the water.
To cook a pound of pasta, you’ll want to use at least 4 quarts of water and 1 tablespoon of salt.
Remember 4-1-1. 4 quarts of water, 1 pound of pasta, 1 tablespoon of salt.
4-1-1.
4 quarts of water, 1 pound of pasta, 1 tablespoon of salt.
For al dente pasta, the cooking time is usually somewhere between 8-10 minutes.
Check the package for the pasta to confirm the times.
I like to cook my pasta just a minute or two longer than the suggested time because I like my pasta a little softer.
After the pasta is cooked, drain it well. I have a stainless steel over-the-sink strainer that is perfect for draining pasta and many other things.
But I also have my eye on an over-the-sink strainer that is collapsible that looks like a good deal.
They also have the strainers that clip onto the pot.
Have you seen those?
Key to Success #2 – Whisk Up the Sauce – Quick and Easy!
While the pasta is cooking, it’s time to whip up the Alfredo sauce.
This Alfredo sauce can be used on its own for recipes that call for Alfredo sauce. You don’t have to use it solely with the fettuccine.
In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the butter, cream cheese, and heavy cream.
As the mixture heats up, the butter and cream cheese will melt.
I like to cut the cream cheese into squares before I start but you don’t have to!
As you whisk, it will all come together.
Next, add in the garlic, Italian seasoning, and black pepper.
I use the McCormick Italian Seasoning blend because it’s quick and easy but you can mix up your own blend with thyme, oregano, and basil.
After you add the seasoning, continue whisking until the sauce starts to simmer then let it simmer for just 1-2 minutes.
The sauce should start to thicken just a bit.
After the sauce starts to thicken up, add in the Parmesan cheese and stir the sauce well.
Then remove the pan from the heat. The sauce will continue to thicken as it stands.
You may want to let it stand for 2-3 minutes before combining with the pasta.
Key to Success #3 – Mix and Serve
When you’re ready to serve your Fettuccine Alfredo, you’ll need to mix your fettuccine pasta with the alfredo sauce.
I like to stir it all together in the big stockpot that I used to make my pasta. This is plenty big and saves me from having another pot, pan, or bowl to wash.
I like to serve my pasta in a large, flat serving bowl. I think I got my pasta bowl from HomeGoods, but this one is similar.
It makes a really pretty presentation and the sloped sides make it easy to serve from. But you can really use any dish or even the stockpot to serve your Fettuccine Alfredo.
If you like to serve chicken with your Fettuccine Alfredo, I have a great recipe for Sous Vide Boneless Chicken Breasts that is perfect with this pasta dish.
Just slice the chicken breasts against the grain and place them on top of the sauced pasta. Or you can stir the sliced chicken into the Fettuccine Alfredo.
Either way, you can’t go wrong with Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo.
Save this Fettuccine Alfredo recipe to your favorite Italian Recipes board or your Pasta Dishes board.
Fettuccine Alfredo
Ingredients
- 16 oz fettuccine pasta
- 1/2 cup butter
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In large stockpot, cook fettuccine pasta according to package directions.
- While pasta is cooking, start cooking butter, cream cheese, and heavy cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add in garlic, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until sauce starts to simmer.
- Allow sauce to simmer 1-2 minutes until it starts to thicken. Then add in Parmesan cheese and whisk to combine. Remove from heat. Sauce will thicken as it stands.