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Easy Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe: Creamy, Rich, and Ready in 20 Minutes

Easy Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

A creamy, buttery Fettuccine Alfredo made with heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan. This simple restaurant-style pasta comes together in about 20 minutes and serves four.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 12 ounces Dried fettuccine
  • 6 tablespoons Unsalted butter
  • 1 cup Heavy cream
  • 1 cup Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Seasonings
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon Ground nutmeg, optional
Garnish
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped, optional
Sauce Adjustment
  • 1/2 to 1 cup Reserved pasta water

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine according to the package directions until just al dente.
  2. Before draining the pasta, reserve at least 1 cup of the cooking water. Drain the noodles without rinsing them.
  3. While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Keep the heat gentle so the butter does not brown.
  4. Add the heavy cream to the skillet and gently simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Do not let the cream boil rapidly.
  5. Add the drained fettuccine directly to the skillet and toss until the noodles are coated in the butter and cream mixture.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the Parmesan gradually while tossing continuously until the cheese melts into a smooth sauce.
  7. Season with kosher salt, black pepper, and optional nutmeg. Add reserved pasta water one or two tablespoons at a time until the sauce is glossy and pourable.
  8. Serve immediately with additional Parmesan and chopped parsley, if desired.

Notes

Freshly grate the Parmesan for the smoothest sauce. Add the cheese off the heat, toss continuously, and use reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency. Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated with a small splash of cream or water.