Creamy Fettuccine Alfredo
Rich, Simple Dinner with Optional Balanced Citrus Finish
Fettuccine Alfredo is the ultimate creamy comfort food, requiring just a few simple ingredients: butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, all brought together with starchy pasta water. This recipe skips the long prep and delivers a luscious, restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect quick dinner when you need something indulgent.
Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes Servings: 4
Ingredients
1 pound fettuccine pasta
1 tablespoon coarse salt (for pasta water)
1/2 cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano), tightly packed
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Salt to taste
Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Optional: 1/4 cup Blazing Citrus Medium Sauce
Heat It Up with Eleven Eleven Sauce. Add a burst of flavor to this classic by drizzling Blazing Citrus Medium over your finished plate. The Balanced heat and vibrant citrus cut through the richness of the cream and cheese, providing an unexpected, Everyday Heat dimension that elevates the dish.
Heat Level: 5.5 out of 10 🔥
Blazing Citrus “Medium” Hot Sauce brings bright sweet heat to any dish. Made with grapefruit juice instead of vinegar, it delivers a clean citrus finish with a smooth serrano kick at a comfortable medium heat. Spoon it over tacos, grilled chicken, shrimp, crispy potatoes, eggs, or grain bowls, or whisk it into mayo or yogurt for an instant dip or dressing. Crowd friendly and full of flavor, it lifts rich foods and makes everyday meals pop.
1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add 1 tablespoon of coarse salt. Add the fettuccine and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 1/2 cups of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta.
2. In a very large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the pieces of butter over medium-low heat. Once melted, add the heavy cream and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a very gentle simmer and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Turn the heat down to the absolute lowest setting (or turn it off entirely). Immediately add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly with a whisk until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
4. Add the hot, drained fettuccine to the skillet. Toss the pasta vigorously to coat it completely with the Alfredo sauce. The sauce will begin to thicken almost instantly.
5. If the sauce is too thick, add the reserved hot pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, continuing to toss until the sauce is creamy and glossy (do not add too much!). Serve immediately, garnished with parsley and the optional Blazing Citrus Medium drizzle.
Tips & Variations
Protein Boost: Sauté 1 pound of sliced chicken breast or shrimp and toss it into the finished Alfredo at the end for a complete meal.
Nutmeg Secret: For deeper Italian flavor, stir in a tiny pinch (less than 1/8 teaspoon) of freshly grated nutmeg with the black pepper.
Herb Infusion: Infuse the cream by simmering it for 5 minutes with a few sprigs of fresh thyme or rosemary before removing the sprigs and adding the butter and cheese.
Other Users Suggest
Replacing: Heavy Cream — New: 1 cup half-and-half + 1 tablespoon cornstarch slurry — Why: This significantly lowers the fat content while the cornstarch helps maintain a thick, creamy consistency similar to full cream.
Replacing: Parmesan Cheese — New: 1 cup Romano cheese + 1 cup Parmesan cheese — Why: Romano is saltier and sharper, adding a more complex, aged flavor profile to the final sauce.
Storage, Reheat & Freeze
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce will thicken substantially upon chilling.
Reheat: To reheat, place a serving in a skillet over very low heat with a few tablespoons of milk or water. Stir gently until the sauce re-emulsifies and becomes creamy again.
Freeze: Do not freeze. The dairy-based sauce will separate and become grainy upon thawing, ruining the creamy texture.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Calories: 750 Protein: 30g Carbs: 65g Fat: 42g
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