We don’t have it often, but when we do, Simple Classic Fettuccine Alfredo is our celebration food of choice!
Does this happen in your family, too? Birthdays become birthweeks? My best guy’s birthday was April 1st, and he and I spent it in Lake Placid. We punctuated the day with an amazing meal at one of our favorite restaurants in the village (which proved to be very inspirational…news to follow!), and when we returned home, it was on to round two with Nick and Lucy.
Fettuccine Alfredo tends to be a dish that we’ll splurge on for special occasions and usually it’s when we dine out.
I had the idea to make an Alfredo sauce when I realized that Party #2 would be happening on a weeknight due to the kids’ schedules. This meant one thing—–>simple and delicious (I guess that’s two things) were in order.
Fettuccine Alfredo was the answer.
Dom came home early from work and we got the party started. A little Chianti, some Italian instrumental, a lit candle, and a few hands of cards which he proceeded to kill me in.
By the time the kids got home, there was nothing left to do but heat up the polpette, slice the Italian bread, dress the salad and serve the fettuccine.
Though our songbird from the west coast couldn’t join – it was a very special evening.
How simple are the ingredients for Classic Fettuccine Alfredo?
- butter
- heavy cream
- salt and pepper
- Parmigiano-Reggiano
- fettuccine
- flat-leaf parsley
If I were to give you two tips, it would be these:
- Make sure the fettuccine is cooked perfectly al dente! Al dente pasta will feel firm to the bite…not crunchy, not mushy! Getting the timing right may take some practice, but you’ll get there! And it’s worth it! It’s always a little less time than the package calls for.
- Cook the Alfredo sauce over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. At about the 10 minute mark it will have thickened to a perfect texture.
So if you have a special day coming up…or you just want to make Monday memorable, this is the dish for you!
Buon Appetito!
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Simple Classic Fettuccine Alfredo
- Category: Dinner
Ingredients
- 8 Tbsp. butter, cut in large cubes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1.5 cups grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (divided)
- 1 lb. fettuccine pasta
- Chopped flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
- In a medium-sized heavy skillet, over medium-low heat, melt butter.
- Next, add the heavy cream and salt and pepper.
- Bring sauce to a simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat but keep warm. (Cover)
- In the meantime, cook fettuccine according to package directions to al dente.
- Reserving 1/2 cup pasta water, add 1 1/4 cups of grated Parmigiano and the pasta to the sauce.
- Toss the mixture well.
- If sauce is sticky, add little bits of pasta water until desired consistency.
- Serve with chopped parsley, a good grind of black pepper and a sprinkle more of Parmigiano.
- Enjoy!
CIAO!
Honestly the ultimate comfort food- loving this, so delicious!
You got that right, girlfriend! 🙂
I remember trying this the first time many many years ago, and I was hooked. Something so amazing about the simplicity of this pasta. This looks so good my dear.
xx
It is amazing how so few ingredients can come together to create a powerhouse of a dish. Thanks you, sweets! xx
I’ve noted down this Recipe and i am going to try this as soon as possible. Thanks for sharing this great recipe.
Wonderful! Enjoy! Thank you, Supriya!
I think fettuccine alfredo was one of the first pastas I ever had in a restaurant when I was younger – such a delicious dish, Annie. I never make it at home – looking forward to trying this and thanks for the tips! Happy birthday to Dom!
I think Alfredo is a very popular sauce for kids! Thanks so much, my friend!
Saw this on Instagram and had to come here to drool more and pin! This is my ideal meal and despite the fact that it’s almost 11:30 p.m., I’m seriously craving it!!
Also, we have birthday months in my house 🙂
Birthday months!?! I like the way you do things!! Thanks, dear! 🙂
Fettuccine Alfredo is always a good choice for a celebration! It sounds like you had a wonderful family dinner. I’m sure your little songbird was missed, but I’ll bet she was there in spirit. Happy belated birthday to Dom!
Thank you so much, Rachelle! It was a really nice evening. 🙂
SO many thoughts! Happy Birthday to your hubby! Totally can relate to the extended celebrations:) Currently on a 6 day vacation for my BD:) Love that you guys play cards (so cool) and eat amazing real food! Family is what it’s all about:) and Alfredo. It has got to be the best sauce ever for pasta and I still haven’t figured out how to make it with beer:) Not really trying either:) One of the first sauces my husband taught me how to make from scratch. Beautiful dishware Annie. I love that rustic looking metal bowl. Love it!
A 6 day birthday vacation?! That’s the best!! Oh yes – we play cards; and winning seems to ebb and flow for all of us, however, feels like it’s been ebbing for me a little too much lately! hahaha! 😉 This dish is too simple and too delicious not to enjoy homemade every once in a while! Thanks for stopping by with a kind word, my friend!
Annie – in our house too, birthdays and now birthweeks and, big ones like sweet 16, turned into more like a birth month! Funny thing is that no matter where I take my daughter for her birthday, she will order some fettuccine alfredo. It’s the only time she gets it – and, when she’s done, she will always hint at preferring a homemade version – so I must try your recipe – am keeping my fingers crossed I can get away with using full fat coconut milk instead of heavy cream. Btw – happy belated birthday to your “best guy.”
Okay – so it’s something about teenage girls (maybe), because that was the dish my chicklets always ordered for their birthdays, too! It’s such a treat! But always better at home, fresh off the stove! Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend!
classics are the best for a reason 🙂 This looks amazing Annie!
You got that right, girlfriend! Thanks, Manali!!
Happy belated birthday to your guy! 🙂 What a beautiful way to celebrate him all week! Gorgeous photos, as usual, Annie, and great tips on cooking the perfect pasta 🙂 .
Thank you so much, Nicoletta! You’re so sweet! 🙂
Nothing simple about the flavor here, Annie! OH so enjoyable for a birthday celebration!! This is pure comfort food and while I don’t eat a lot of pasta, I absolutely adore it and could eat it every single day! 😀 I have really terrible timing with regards to pasta. Rob is usually standing by to test for al dente.. he’s really good at it. I need to make this so I can get some practice and enjoy this gorgeous recipe! Thank you for sharing Annie! 😀
You are right on, my friend! Nothing simple about the flavor – just the construction! I’d say you and Rob need to get in the kitchen together, real soon! Thanks, dear!
Oh I want this to be my dinner tonight so badly!! It looks absolutely perfect and what a great combination with the polpette!! And yes, the weeklong birthday celebrations happen here, too 🙂
I’ll tell you what – the polpette was a nice touch! Thanks, my friend! Wish you could have it tonight, too!
LOL! Ummm, yes, when it comes to my birthday, it’s more like a birthWEEK. 🙂 But normally I don’t celebrate all week long, I just require that Boy let me have my way all week long. Hahahaha. *insert angel face and puppy dog eyes here* Sounds like your hubs had a wonderful birthday, Annie! And classic fettuccine alfredo is THE perfect way to celebrate if you ask me! I mean, is there anything better than creamy, decadent alfredo sauce lovingly and generously coating some silky fettuccine noodles?! I think not! 😉 This looks just delicious! Pinned! Cheers, my dear! xo
I like the way you celebrate, my friend! And as far as I’m concerned – that’s how it should be! 😉 This is one of our favorite dishes, making it extra special when we leave for important days….like Monday! 😉 Have a great week, my dear! xo
Fettuccini Alfredo was my favorite as a kid, then I got older and realized it probably wasn’t the best thing to eat on a regular basis, so it’s been years since I’ve had it. This has me thinking though. . .it might just be the perfect dinner for my birthday week this year! I want to try your recipe, since I’ve never actually made it myself :). Have a great week, Annie!
Yaaaas! You can definitely make room for this one night in your birthday week! I say, Go For It!!! Thanks, Kelsie! Have a great week, my friend!
Such a classic dish and a favorite with my kids. Recipes like this are so important to have in your arsenal. Sounds like you guys had a great birthday celebration!
Simple but delicious must always be in the arsenal! This has been a favorite of my kids, forever! Thanks, Karen!!
This is by far one of our favorite Italian dishes Annie! We don’t enjoy it often either because it’s so rich, but when we do it’s epic! Can’t wait to try your recipe! It looks fabulous!
It is EPIC! Isn’t it?! I love that! Hope you have the chance to try this recipe! Enjoy, my friend!
You definitely can’t go wrong with a classic like this. One of my favorites! And so perfect for birthday celebrations, or any time of the year, really! Wishing I had a big bowl of this for dinner tonight!
Thank you, Gayle!! Have a great day, my friend!
I totally know what you mean about birthdays turning into birthweeks and I say bring it! Why now extend the celebration? Sounds like you had a lovely spread when you guys got together for Dom’s birthday! The polpette, bread, this pasta…..oh my! I haven’t had fettuccine alfredo in forever and I do love it. I don’t often order pasta in restaurants because I like making better myself at home; this recipe is a keeper, Annie! You can’t beat the rich cream sauce, especially with a glass of wine 😉 Pinned! It’s not even 9am and I’m wishing I had some of this for breakfast! Have a great week, my friend! XOXO
Who said you can’t have pasta for breakfast? Especially when it’s this good! Let’s hear it for birthweeks! I had an inkling that that was a pretty popular occurrence! Thanks, my dear! Happy Monday! XOXO
I love birthday weeks! It’s not presents or fancy presentation — it’s family!! Fettuccini Alfredo is one of our favorites along with Carbonara — we don’t have it too often but like you, it’s for a special occasion. How was your polpette?
Definitely about family! Carbonara is the other sauce that we’ll have every so often…and what I mean by that is once a year! 😉 The polpette was a huge it! That, we’ll have more than once a year! 🙂 Thanks, friend!
What a lovely evening you had together! I love simplicity and traditional recipes so this hits the spot for me.
Like you, those are my favorite kinds of meals… Thank you, Mariana!