Fettuccine Alfredo
Fettuccine ribbons in a butter, cream and parmesan sauce, with a touch of garlic and nutmeg.
Vegetarian

- Cooking time
- 36 min
- Hands-on time
- 36 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cuisine
- American
- Calories
- 950
- Contains
- Gluten, Dairy
Alfredo with nothing added, resting on three things: butter, cream and parmesan. The cheese goes in off the heat with the pasta water and is tossed hard until silky, and it's served at once while the sauce is still a little loose, because it thickens on the plate.
Before you start
- Before you beginRead the steps completely, measure the ingredients, and prepare the tools before turning on the heat or oven.
- Timing the servingPrepare what you can in advance and leave the final touches until serving time to maintain the texture.
Ingredients
Amounts follow the number of people
For the pasta
For the sauce
When doubling the quantity, use a wider container, and gradually increase the salt and seasoning after tasting.
Equipment
- Large pot for boiling — The cooking water is what binds butter to cheese — do not pour it all away.
- Wide frying pan — Tossing hard off the heat is what makes the silky texture.
Method
Boil plenty of water and salt it well until it becomes as salty as seawater.
You’ll know it’s ready whenThe water is at a rolling boil and the salt has dissolved.
Tip: One tablespoon of salt per liter — this is the only time you season the pasta itself.
Melt the butter with the garlic over low heat.
You’ll know it’s ready whenThe butter has foamed and the garlic smells fragrant without coloring.
Add the cream and let it heat up without boiling.
You’ll know it’s ready whenThe cream has heated and thickened slightly.
Boil the pasta until it is tender with slight resistance in the center, and reserve a cup of the cooking water.
You’ll know it’s ready whenA piece has a slight bite in the middle.
Tip: The starchy cooking water is what binds the sauce to the pasta — don't throw it away.
Turn off the heat and add the Parmesan, fettuccine and cooking water and stir vigorously.
You’ll know it’s ready whenThe sauce has turned silky and coats every ribbon.
Serve immediately with black pepper.
You’ll know it’s ready whenThe sauce is slightly runny — it thickens in the dish.
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