Description
This rich and creamy homemade Alfredo sauce is the kind of easy dinner that instantly upgrades pasta night with buttery garlic flavor, velvety Parmesan texture, and pure comfort in every bite. It is a perfect choice for quick breakfast meal prep sauces, easy dinner ideas, cozy food ideas, and simple homemade pasta sauces when you want an easy recipe that tastes special without a long ingredient list.
Ingredients
8 ounces fettuccine
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 1/4 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
2. In a large skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Pour in the heavy cream and stir well. Let it warm for 2 to 3 minutes until small bubbles appear around the edges.
4. Reduce the heat to low and slowly add the Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until the cheese melts into a smooth sauce.
5. Season with salt and black pepper. If the sauce feels too thick, stir in a little reserved pasta water until it reaches your preferred consistency.
6. Add the cooked fettuccine to the skillet and toss until the pasta is fully coated in the Alfredo sauce.
7. Top with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired, then serve immediately.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce and best flavor.
Keep the heat low once the cheese is added so the sauce stays creamy and does not separate.
Save pasta water before draining because it helps loosen the sauce without reducing the richness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 596
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 557mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 25g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 132mg
Keywords: rich and creamy homemade Alfredo sauce, easy Alfredo sauce, homemade pasta sauce, quick dinner, easy dinner ideas, creamy pasta, Parmesan sauce, fettuccine Alfredo