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Make one pot fettuccine Alfredo with 4 ingredients in 15 minutes. It's a quick pasta recipe that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant.
Fettuccine alfredo often sparks debate over the "true" recipe. But, for me, the goal is simple: noodles drenched in rich and creamy sauce like you'd savor at an upscale eatery without the fuss.
If I make it at home, it has to be simple, with no constant vigil over a saucepan. Enter this game-changer: a one-pot wonder that marries ease with elegance.
This isn't our healthy-ish zucchini alfredo or spaghetti squash alfredo, which incorporates cream cheese in the sauce. It's a nod to the classic fettuccine alfredo recipe, crafted with butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese.
It has the luxurious thickness you crave, and the secret couldn't be any better. Cooking everything in a single pot allows the pasta's own starch to thicken the sauce's consistency.
Serve it as a side dish or amped up with seared-scallops, chicken, or easy blackened shrimp for an impressive main dish. Either way, this easy dinner recipe promises to wow your whole family.
Why you'll love this recipe:
- Mixing the sauce ingredients directly into the cooked pasta takes the guesswork out of thickening the sauce. Plus, there's only one pot to clean up.
- You only need a few simple ingredients to make this easy recipe.
- It's ready quickly. Very quickly.
- It's fancy enough for a special occasion and easy enough for busy weeknights.
- Kids tend to love alfredo sauce. Add some vegetables to the creamy pasta; I bet they won't even notice.
- Make it low-carb by serving it over low-carb noodles or with veggie noodles instead.
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Ingredient Notes
You'll need just a handful of ingredients to make this one pot pasta recipe with a creamy alfredo sauce.
- Heavy whipping cream or heavy cream - For a lighter version, half-and-half can be used, though the sauce might be less rich.
- Parmesan cheese - Freshly grate the cheese with a fine grater. Don't use pre-shredded cheese because the packages contain an anti-caking agent that will make the sauce grainy. If Parmesan cheese is unavailable, try other hard, aged cheeses, such as Pecorino Romano, which has a sharper taste.
- Unsalted butter - If using salted butter, adjust the added salt accordingly.
- Fettuccine noodles, linguine noodles, or other pasta shapes with lots of surface area are a good pairing.
- Salt and black pepper to taste.
Looking for a fall-inspired alfredo sauce? Check out pumpkin pasta sauce.
Please refer to the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and detailed instructions.
Make it Low-Carb
Give fettuccine alfredo a low-carb makeover that's still utterly creamy and dreamy! Ditch carb-heavy noodles for something lighter, like Carba-Nada pasta or veggie noodles made from zucchini. Just like that, you've got a dish that's easy on the carbs but big on flavor.
And here's a compromise: tossing your favorite veggies into the dish cranks up the health factor and makes the meal pop with color and taste. So, whether it's some bright broccoli, a handful of spinach, or a few cherry tomatoes, or spiralized noodles, you're not just making dinner; you're whipping up a wholesome, hearty feast that feels like a hug in a bowl.
How to Make One Pot Fettuccine Alfredo
Here's how to make easy fettuccine alfredo in one pot.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add uncooked pasta and cook until al dente according to the directions on the package. For fettuccine noodles, it takes about 11 minutes. (While the pasta cooks, grate the Parmesan cheese!)
Drain noodles and return to the pot. Add butter and heavy whipping cream. Stir and cook for 3-4 minutes over medium-high heat or until the sauce starts to thicken.
Add grated Parmesan cheese.
Stir until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste then enjoy your delicious dinner immediately.
Top Tip
Prep all your ingredients and have the rest of the meal ready before you start cooking the pasta. That way, when your fettuccine alfredo is creamy, cheesy, and ready to eat, you can sit down and enjoy it!
Make it a Meal
Turn fettuccine alfredo into a full-blown feast. Toss in some protein – blackened chicken, rotisserie chicken, or Argentine shrimp are my go-to options. Then, jazz it up with fresh herbs; a little basil or parsley makes it sing.
And don't forget a side of vegetables! Roast your favorites, like grape tomatoes or zucchini. A simple salad is always a good idea, too.
Finally, a slice (or two) of warm, crusty bread on the side is a must for scooping up all that creamy goodness.
Storage and Reheating
To store leftover pasta alfredo in the refrigerator, let it cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat leftover fettuccine alfredo, transfer it to a microwave-safe dish and sprinkle a bit of water, chicken broth, or cream over it to revive the creaminess.
Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap. Microwave on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. Alternatively, reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently and adding a splash of milk if needed to maintain a smooth consistency.
More Easy Pasta Recipes
Would you like more easy, healthy, carb-conscious recipes?
📋 Recipe
One Pot Fettuccine Alfredo (4 Ingredients)
Ingredients
- 8 ounces fettuccine noodles linguine noodles, or other pasta
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream heavy cream or half and half.
- 1.5 ounces Parmesan cheese ¾ cup
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to the directions on the package. For fettuccine noodles, it takes about 11 minutes.
- Drain noodles and return to the pot. Add butter and heavy whipping cream.
- Stir and cook for 3-4 minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and enjoy immediately. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley if you have some.
Patty says
I loved that this actually only took 15 minutes to make! Sooo tasty, I will definitely be making this fettuccine again.