Ingredients
Kosher salt
1 lb. fettuccine
1/2 c. heavy cream
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter
1/2 c. freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for sprinkling
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp. chopped parsley
Preparation
Step 1In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water then drain. Step 2Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, add cream and butter. Cook until butter is melted and the cream is bubbling. Whisk in Parmesan and season with salt and pepper. Let sauce simmer 1 to 2 minutes to thicken slightly. Sauce will still bee thin, but will thicken more as sauce cools and once pasta is added. Step 3Add cooked pasta and toss until coated in sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
What is Fettuccine Alfredo? Tracing back to 15th century Rome, this dish quickly became popular throughout Europe, and later America. In the beginning, the sauce was comprised solely of butter, parmesan, and pasta water. Nowadays, there are all sorts of interpretations of the original recipe. Some add cream, some add more cheeses and herbs, and many add meat or fish. What can I add to it? Shrimp Alfredo and Chicken Alfredo are two of the most popular types of Alfredo dishes—both delicious and hearty adaptations on the original. Steak or salmon would also be delicious, but maybe a bit heavy. If you’re looking for something on the lighter side, try folding halved grape tomatoes and fresh spinach into the hot pasta before serving. What should I serve alongside? Something about this dish always makes me think of serving some delicate steamed broccoli. But if you want to keep things green but maybe stay in the Italian-American vibe, go for some garlicky broccoli rabe. Also you can really go for the Olive Garden fantasy and make a copycat version of their breadsticks. How do I reheat my leftovers? We recommend reheating your pasta in a pan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Microwaving the pasta can give your noodles a too-soft texture, and might leave your sauce greasy instead of creamy. What are some fun variations on this dish? While this pasta is absolutely a classic, we would be kidding ourselves if we didn’t love changing it up every now and again. Chicken Tikka Alfredo combines two of our all-time favorite comfort dishes into one incredible, slightly spicy recipe. And if you haven’t had enough carbs, try this French Onion Alfredo and you can top your pasta with caramelized onions, sliced bread and melty cheese. Made this? Let us know how it went in the comment section below!
