Fettuccine Alfredo is a rich and creamy pasta dish comprised of butter, Parmigiano Reggiano, starchy pasta water, and of course fettuccine. Our version uses just a touch of heavy cream, a slight deviation from the original. Our easy-to-follow instructions show you how to make this simple pasta in under 30 minutes.
Some things in this world are best when kept simple.
One of the reasons I love Italian food so much is its sheer simplicity. There are usually not many ingredients needed for Italian dishes which really allows each individual ingredient to shine.
And one of the most simple dishes is fettuccine Alfredo.
Hailing from Rome, the original dish was made with fresh fettuccine noodles, butter, Parmigiano Reggiano, a touch of pasta water, and a pinch of salt. That was it.
Over the years folks have tried to improve upon the recipe by adding any number of things, like chicken or peas, but the original is still heralded as the best version.
I do deviate from the original with one ingredient, and that is a touch of heavy cream as I find it makes the consistency a little silkier, but in the recipe below you'll see that this is purely optional, especially for those who want to create the most authentic version of Alfredo sauce.
How to make creamy Alfredo sauce the easy way
Each number corresponds to the numbered written steps below.
- Bring a pot of water to boil with a very small amount of water and 1 tablespoon of kosher salt. For a 6-quart stockpot use only 3 inches of water or less. You want to create very starchy pasta water that will easily hold an emulsion of the butter and cheese. Grate 1 cup of Parmigiano Reggiano on the finest box grater settings. Note: Using very starchy water and the finest grated cheese will ensure success!
- Cube 1 stick of unsalted butter and place it into a large bowl (large enough for 1 pound of fettuccine) with a ¼ cup of cream and the grated Parmigiano.
- Once the water comes to a boil drop in the fettuccine and stir frequently to prevent any sticking. Note: I'm using DeCecco semolina fettuccine. Even better would be homemade egg fettuccine or the storebought version that's sold in a bag of nests.
- Once the pasta is cooked to al dente reserve at least 1 cup of pasta water. Placing it in a mug makes it easy.
- Place the al dente fettuccine into the bowl along with a ½ cup of the pasta water and start mixing quickly with tongs.
- It will become creamy with no clumping as shown in pic 6 above. If the pasta is at all dry, add reserved pasta water a couple of tablespoons at a time until the perfect consistency is achieved. Taste test and season with salt to taste. Serve immediately.
Note: Fettuccine Alfredo is super heavy thanks to the butter and cheese. It is best served as an appetizer or as a main course alongside a green salad, broccoli, or sauteed spinach.
Top Tips
- Starchy water - The key to making a successful fettucine Alfredo is to make sure your pasta water is very starchy. The best way to accomplish this is to use as little water as needed to cook the pasta. So for a 6 quart pot, I recommend filling 3 inches up or less from the bottom for 1 pound of pasta. Because there is less water being used, you should also use less salt when salting the water.
- The cheese - For this particular dish you'll want to use a younger Parmigiano Reggiano, such as 24 month or younger. Older cheeses, while fantastic, have more of a bite and this dish is meant to be a bit milder. Grana Padano or Reggianato can also be used.
- Finely grate - Another important tip is to grate your cheese on the smallest hole of a box grater. This will allow the cheese to melt evenly and form a more perfect and emulsified sauce.
- Eat promptly! - Fettucine Alfredo should really be eaten right away as with any other pasta that requires an emulsion. That being said if you have leftovers, they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and are best when reheated in a pan. You can even make a pasta frittata with the leftovers.
Non-traditional additions to fettuccine Alfredo
As mentioned above, I add heavy cream to my version of Alfredo sauce as I prefer the added creaminess. This deviates from the traditional, but I like it so I do it.
For a more velvety texture, you can add the yolk of one egg, similar to Carbonara.
I know some folks love a bit of garlic in their Alfredo.
And while it's not meant to be topped with anything other than more Parmigiano Reggiano, I know plenty of people who just can't eat this without a healthy dusting of crushed black pepper.
No, these are not traditional, but much of what I love about cooking is that it's very much an art and if you find an ingredient that you want to add or one you want to omit, you have the freedom to do so.
As I say in all of my videos. Make the dish your own! You and your family are what matters. Not tradition.
More creamy pasta recipes
If creamy, velvety, silky pastas are what you crave, we've got some killer recipes we know you'll love.
- Chicken alfredo pasta - Blackened chicken with a garlicky creamy alfredo sauce over pappardelle.
- Shrimp alfredo - Seasoned shrimp with fettuccine in a creamy alfredo sauce.
- Creamy garlic mushroom pasta - Pecorino Romano, heavy cream, tons of garlic, and mushrooms are tossed with pappardelle and topped with parsley.
- Cacio e pepe - The classic Roman dish made from Pecorino Romano, black pepper, al dente pasta, and starchy pasta water.
- Creamy sausage pappardelle - Sweet Italian sausage, garlic, white wine, and Pecorino in a creamy pink sauce.
- Salsa di noci - Walnut pesto made with heavy cream, white wine, and Parmigiano Reggiano tossed with pappardelle and topped with parsley.
- Mushroom brandy pasta - Heavy cream, tomato paste, brandy, and mushrooms are tossed with spaghetti in this decadent pasta dish.
- Linguine al limone - Very similar to alfredo, but with the addition of lemon juice and zest.
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Ingredients
- 1 pound fettuccine pasta
- 1 stick unsalted butter cubed
- 1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano finely grated, plus more for serving
- 1 cup reserved pasta water might not need it all but reserve just in case
- kosher salt to taste
- ¼ cup heavy cream optional
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and 1 tablespoon kosher salt to only 3 inches high and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cook pasta to al dente and make sure to reserve at least 1 cup of the very starchy pasta water.
- While pasta is boiling set up a large bowl with the butter, grated cheese, and cream.
- Place the al dente pasta into the bowl along with a ladle of pasta water. Toss quickly to melt the butter and cheese. If too dry, add more of the reserved pasta water a bit at a time to get the perfect creamy consistency.
- Season with salt to taste and serve immediately.
Notes
- Very starchy pasta water is key. Boil pasta with a very small amount of water. Fill a 6-quart pot no higher than 3 inches for a pound of pasta.
- Use only 1 tablespoon of kosher salt for the pasta water since an extremely low amount of water is used.
- Cream makes it better, but if you want traditional alfredo, feel free to omit it.
- Grana Padano or Reggianato can be substituted for the Parmigiano Reggiano. Use a 24 month aged or younger cheese.
- Fettuccine alfredo is best eaten right away so that the emulsion is maintained, but can be saved in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan or microwave.
Our Easter Dinner!
James I made this recipe with a few minor changes. I used bowtie pasta and
Pecorino Romano not because I thought they would be better, but because that's all I had. The recipe was fantastic and both me and my wife enjoyed the result.
I am adducted to your You Tube Channel, the best cooking show I have ever seen. I like that you use simple terms concerning the cooking and the ingredients. You make it look so easy (and it is) but you put everything into easy to understand terms.
I still remember my Italian Mother and the things she did cooking. She measured salt in her hand and explained to me how she did it. Open her hand was a table spoon and close her hand was a teaspoon. I still do that today 64 years after she told and showed me. One thing you have me doing that she did not do and that is starting with an onion in your sauce. She started Sunday sauce with Garlic and Angela Mia Olive Oil, browned the meat and then added the tomato paste and canned sauce. She also managed to sneak in a little sugar. it was delicious.
Hi, Ron, thank you and happy you enjoyed the Alfredo. Thank you for your kind words about the channel; I really appreciate that! I love the story about your mom, her method for measuring, and for making her sauce. The thing I love about Italian cooking and what I always try and communicate is that everyone has their own method, and there is no right or wrong way, as long as you do it with love.
I enjoy watching you cook. Lots of learning going on. Most informative.Keep uo the good work!
Thank you, Caroline! I appreciate your comment!
Great Stuff! Someone recommended your site etc. Been following and enjoying ever since. Appreciate your hard work and knowledge. I find your recipes to be on point!!!!❤️
Thank you, Anne! So happy you're enjoying the recipes!
I'm curious - maybe I just missed it, but I can't find where you mention how much pasta you're cooking. I'm assuming the recipe is for a pound, serving 4 for dinner. Can you confirm this please? Thanks.
Hi Pam, It should be 1 pound of fettuccine. Thanks for pointing out the error. I just updated it.
the alfredo looks fabulous as does so many of the additional ideas to make this into at the end of recipe. That walnut pasta dish intrigues me. hmmm
Thank you, Jeannette!
I am an addicted new follower of yours. Your techniques bring bavk memories of my mother's cooking. I have a question. Do you have a published cookbook. If you do I would love to buy s copy. Thank you for all you grest work
Hi Robert, thanks for the comment and I'm happy you're enjoying the recipes! I don't have a cookbook yet, but it is on our list of to-dos for 2023. I'll be sure to announce it here and on my channel as we get closer. Thanks for the support!
Love the lighter version of a great dish
Hi Robert, so happy you liked this one. Thanks!
Really Enjoy your recipes. Have made many. Next one Fettucini Alfredo
Hi Teresa, thanks for the comment and happy you're enjoying the recipes!
I followed exactly but found it too watery and tasteless. I even added ricotta to give it some body.
Hi Roseann, I'm sorry to hear this didn't turn out they way you hoped. Since ricotta has a ton of water adding that could have contributed to the watery texture you experienced. I don't recommend adding ricotta to this dish.
This recipe was amazing. The family really enjoyed it. Easy to follow directions and was full of flavor. I’ve been following your YouTube channel and this website for awhile. You’re my go to for Italian food recipes!
Hi Robert, So happy you liked the Alfredo. Thanks for watching the videos and I'm glad you're enjoying the recipes! Thanks for the comment!
Love the recipe of fettuccini Alfredo, but when do you add the cream and how much. Love seeing you and your family.
Hi Rita, see step 2 in the process photos. You'd add 1/4 cup of the cream to the butter and Parmigiano mixture. The cream is entirely optional though. Thanks for the comment!
Love all your videos and the way you explain everything. Brings me back to my mothers and fathers dishes.
You are the best Italian chef ..cooking the way me.my mom and Nonna cooked. Great authentic recipes! I copied a lot of your recipes to give to my grand kids. I’m 83 years old and I have forgotten some of the Italian recipes I have enjoyed in my youth and now have been brought to light with your wonderful cooking show. Keep it up!
Hi Josephine, I'm so happy you're enjoying the recipes and really appreciate the comment. Thank you!
Looks like a hood one for mid week meal, with salad. Thank you. 🥗
Thanks for the comment, Eva!
I do like using the cream and I usually add a little freshly grated nutmeg. It adds another layer of flavor to this dish!
Hi Father, thanks for the comment and so happy you enjoyed this one!