Description
Creamy pasta dreams come alive in this classic Fettuccine Alfredo, bringing rich Italian comfort straight to your plate. Silky noodles bathed in a luxurious parmesan sauce promise pure culinary bliss you’ll savor with every delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) fettuccine pasta
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Fats and Seasonings:
- 6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot, bringing it to a rolling boil. Submerge the fettuccine and cook until tender yet firm, precisely following package guidance. Carefully extract and preserve a half cup of starchy liquid before draining the pasta.
- Create a flavor foundation in a spacious skillet by gently melting butter over medium heat. When using garlic, introduce it briefly, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the butter for approximately half a minute. Cascade heavy cream into the skillet, allowing it to develop a gentle, undulating simmer. Maintain this state for 3-4 minutes, periodically stirring to ensure smooth integration.
- Transition the heat to its lowest setting and methodically incorporate Parmesan cheese, stirring until the cheese dissolves completely and transforms the mixture into a silky, uniform sauce. Enhance the flavor profile by introducing ground nutmeg, then calibrate with salt and black pepper according to personal preference.
- Transfer the cooked fettuccine directly into the creamy sauce, meticulously coating each strand. Should the sauce appear overly dense, incrementally introduce reserved pasta water, achieving a luxurious, clingy consistency that embraces the noodles.
- Artfully distribute the pasta across serving plates, creating an inviting presentation. Optional embellishments include a sprinkle of additional Parmesan, a grind of fresh black pepper, and a delicate scattering of chopped parsley. Serve immediately to preserve optimal temperature and texture.
Notes
- Opt for high-quality Parmesan cheese to ensure a rich, authentic flavor that elevates the entire dish.
- Allow the pasta to be slightly undercooked when draining, as it will continue to cook when mixed with the hot sauce.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan instead of pre-grated cheese for a smoother, more luxurious sauce texture.
- Experiment with adding protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy pancetta to transform this classic into a heartier meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 646
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 596 mg
- Fat: 46 g
- Saturated Fat: 29 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 117 mg