• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

SmartyPantsKitchen logo

  • About
  • Foodie Tips
  • Kitchen 101
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Foodie Tips
  • Kitchen 101
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Entrees

Fettuccine Alfredo

Published: Dec 12, 2018 · Last Modified: Feb 14, 2022 by Anecia

  • share
  • share
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Fettuccine Alfredo is a staple menu item in most American-Italian restaurants; however, it's not a staple menu item in Italy...what?!!!

Yep! But this creamy pasta dish will make you feel like you're in Italy in minutes!

Fettuccine Alfredo in decorative bowl.

This popular "Italian" pasta dish was created in the early 1900's by a Roman restaurateur, Alfredo di Lelio. His simple version used two basic ingredients: butter and fresh Parmesan cheese.

It wasn't until the 1940's that Americans began to embellish his original recipe by adding heavy cream.

If you go to Italy, you won't find the Americanized version of Fettuccine Alfredo, but the original with real butter and delicious fresh, local Parmesan cheese.

Jump to:
  • Difference between fettuccine and linguine?
  • Why you'll love this recipe!
  • Here's what you'll need:
  • How to make it:
  • Variations
  • Storage and reheating
  • Related recipes:
  • 📋 Recipe

Difference between fettuccine and linguine?

Fettuccine and Linguine noodles are both flat, ribbon-pasta made from semolina and durum flours. Fettuccine pasta is a bit wider and thicker than linguine noodles, but you can use either in this recipe!

Why you'll love this recipe!

Quick and easy - ready in 14-minutes from start to finish

Flavorful and filling - the homemade Alfredo sauce beats any jar of pre-made Alfredo sauce

All-natural - no additives, fillers, colorants or yucky stuff

Here's what you'll need:

The beauty of this pasta dish is its simplicity.

You'll need fettucine (or linguine) pasta , heavy cream, butter, fresh Parmesan cheese, ground nutmeg, ground garlic powder, salt & pepper.

Note: buy "heavy cream" or "heavy whipping cream" - sometimes you'll see one or the other in the store, but they're the same thing

How to make it:

Boil pasta according to directions (about 9 minutes)

Meanwhile, in a saucepan on medium high heat, melt butter; add cream, nutmeg, garlic powder, salt and pepper, and Parmesan cheese; cook thoroughly until cheese has melted.

Pour sauce over drained pasta; combine well, garnish with Parmesan cheese

Variations

Dress this Fetuccine Alfredo with  sauteed mushrooms, shrimp, green peas, black olives or sun-dried tomatoes!

There's really no limit to what you can add to this basic pasta recipe because the creamy Alfredo sauce pairs well with just about anything!

Storage and reheating

Store Fettucine Alfredo in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freezing is not recommended, as the texture of the noodles and sauce change.

To reheat, head in microwave or on stovetop. Alfredo sauce may thicken upon storage, so you may have to add a little water.

Fettuccine Alfredo in decorative bowl.

Serve this quick Italian dinner with a Caesar salad, perhaps a little garlic bread or a cup of mushroom soup!

Related recipes:

  • Seafood Manicotti Alfredo
  • Eggplant Parmesan
  • Pesto Shrimp Pasta
  • Traditional Manicotti
  • San Marzano Pasta Sauce

If you make this recipe, please scroll down and leave a comment and rating! I love to hear from you!

📋 Recipe

Classic Fettuccine Alfredo

Fettuccine Alfredo

Fettuccine noodles nestled in a creamy, flavorful white sauce. 
5 from 4 votes
Print Rate
Course: Entree
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 9 minutes minutes
Total Time: 14 minutes minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Author: Anecia Hero
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients 

  • 1 lb. fettuccine pasta
  • 6 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • ½ stick butter , unsalted
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1¼ cup Parmesan cheese , grated; to taste
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • In a large stock pot, bring salted water to boil
    1 lb. fettuccine pasta, 6 cups water, 1 tablespoon salt
  • Add fettuccine noodles; stir and cook for 9-11 minutes
    1 lb. fettuccine pasta
  • Meanwhile, in a saucepan on medium high heat, melt butter; add cream, nutmeg, garlic powder, and pepper, and 1 cup of fresh Parmesan cheese; cook thoroughly until cheese has melted
    ½ stick butter, 1 cup heavy cream, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, 1¼ cup Parmesan cheese
  • Once pasta is done, drain lightly and place in large, flat serving bowl
  • Pour Alfredo sauce over fettuccine; toss lightly to coat; taste for seasonings 
    salt and pepper to taste
  • Garnish with chopped parsley or basil; additional a bit of Parmesan cheese and serve
    1¼ cup Parmesan cheese

Notes

Note: buy "heavy cream" or "heavy whipping cream" - sometimes you'll see one or the other in the store, but they're the same thing
Allow the heavy cream to sit out at room temperature a little while before you add it

Nutrition Estimate

Serving: 1cupCalories: 848kcalCarbohydrates: 84gProtein: 18gFat: 50gSaturated Fat: 30gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 238mgSodium: 1812mgPotassium: 351mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1659IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 104mgIron: 2mg
Craving More? Pin it and Share!Mention @SmartyPantsKitchen or tag #smartypantskitchen!
Join the Facebook group!Mention @SmartyPantsKitchen or tag #smartypantskitchen!

More Traditional and Contemporary Southern Entree Recipes

  • Pork schnitzel cutlets on white plate.
    Easy Pork Schnitzel
  • Pasta carbonara garnished with parsley and grated cheese in black bowl.
    Traditional Pasta Carbonara
  • Cabbage, sausage and potatoes in cast iron skillet.
    Pennsylvania Dutch Skillet Supper
  • Creole shrimp pasta in blue bowl.
    Creole Shrimp Pasta

Reader Interactions

I'd love to hear from you! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Anecia Hero, Food Blogger

About SmartyPantsKitchen

I'm Anecia, a native Texan, author, cook and photographer for SmartyPantsKitchen where I'm sharing Traditional and Contemporary Southern recipes for cooks of all levels. There's nothing fancy or gourmet about my recipes-just easy, simple, delicious and memorable! Take a tour and check out delicious recipes! 

Learn more about me →

Texas Recipes

  • Authentic Texas Chili in white bowl with tortilla chip and shredded cheese.
    Texas Chili
  • Close up of cake on white plate.
    Original Texas Sheet Cake
  • Sausage cream gravy in red bowl with bowl of biscuits in red checkered basket in background
    Sausage Cream Gravy
  • Whole pecan pie on colorful tablecloth
    Classic Southern Pecan Pie
  • Chicken fried steak with cream gravy and a side of green beans
    Texas Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy
  • Apple cake with glaze on blue plate.
    Fresh Apple Cake

Brunch

  • Two slices of quiche on white plate.
    Basic Quiche Recipe
  • Holiday Sausage Ball on fork resting over honey mustard dip
    Easy Sausage Balls
  • Smoked tomato bisque on brown serving tray with crouton and cream
    Smoked Tomato Bisque (Low-Sodium)
  • Slice of low carb egg casserole on plate.
    Low Carb Crustless Quiche Recipe
  • Slice of spinach feta pie on white plate with a side of kalamata olives.
    Spinach Feta Pie
  • Shrimp Saganaki in white baking dish.
    Shrimp Saganaki (Baked Greek Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta)

Reader Favorites

  • Fried catfish filets with tartar sauce.
    Restaurant-Quality Fried Catfish
  • Purple hull peas in white bowl.
    How to Cook and Season Southern Purple Hull Peas
  • Sliced classic meatloaf with tomato sauce on white serving platter.
    Classic Southern Meatloaf with Old-Fashioned Tomato Sauce
  • No beer batter fried fish in paper
    Fish and Chips: No Beer Batter
  • Cream gravy being spooned over chicken fried steak
    Southern Cream Gravy
  • Fried oysters on platter with lemon wedges.
    Crispy Southern Fried Oysters

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and recipes

Contact

  • Contact

Copyright © 2018-2022 SmartyPantsKitchen.com