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Traditional Fettuccine Alfredo Close up of a bowl of fettuccine pasta tossed in creamy Alfredo sauce, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and parsley, fork twirling some pasta, soft natural lighting, rustic table setting with bread in the background, food photography style, high detail and appetizing presentation.

Traditional Fettuccine Alfredo

A creamy, comforting Fettuccine Alfredo made with butter, Parmesan, and garlic—no cream required, perfect for a quick Italian dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: European, Italian
Calories: 387
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb fettuccine pasta long flat noodles, uncooked
  • 1 stick salted butter unsalted can be used, softened
  • 1 teaspoon salt for seasoning pasta water and sauce
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground for best flavor
  • 2 garlic cloves finely minced for aromatic sauce
  • ¾ cup pasta water reserved from cooked pasta, hot
  • 1¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated, divided, preferably freshly grated
  • ½ tablespoon fresh parsley minced for garnish and color

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook fettuccine until al dente, about 10–12 minutes. prep
  2. While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add salt, pepper, and minced garlic, cooking 2–3 minutes until fragrant. prep
  3. Drain pasta, reserving ¾ cup of the cooking water. Keep pasta warm in the pot, covered with a clean kitchen towel. prep
  4. Add ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water to the butter and garlic. Whisk over medium-low heat for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened. mix
  5. Gradually sprinkle in half of the grated Parmesan, ¼ cup at a time, whisking constantly until smooth. Add additional reserved pasta water if needed to adjust consistency. mix
  6. Add the cooked fettuccine, remaining Parmesan, and minced parsley to the pan. Toss until pasta is fully coated. assemble
  7. Top with any remaining Parmesan if desired and serve immediately. finish

Nutrition

Serving: 150ServingCalories: 387kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 13gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 668mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 800IUCalcium: 220mgIron: 1mg

Notes

This easy Fettuccine Alfredo is a comforting classic that’s rich in flavor yet simple to prepare. Serve it immediately for creamy, buttery satisfaction.

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