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The Original Fettuccine Alfredo

The original Fettuccine Alfredo – called fettuccine al burro in Italy – is a simple pasta dish consisting of fettuccine tossed with lots of butter and parmesan. With only 4 ingredients and ready in 15 minutes, this recipe is perfect to have on hand for when you are craving easy comfort food!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
17 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 1064 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 1 pound dried or fresh fettuccine pasta
  • ½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter (preferably European style) at room temperature and sliced
  • ½ pound finely grated parmesan cheese (preferably Parmigiano Reggiano)
  • kosher salt to taste

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then salt generously with kosher salt. Cook the fettuccine, stirring often during the first 4 minutes and occasionally after that, according to package directions, until al dente.
  2. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of pasta water (or more to reheat the pasta later, if you predict you will have leftovers).
  3. Return the pasta to the pot, off heat, and stir in the sliced butter, a small pinch of salt, half the cheese and a splash of the reserved pasta water (about ¼ cup). Toss the pasta vigorously, adding the rest of the cheese and more pasta water as needed for the sauce to emulsify. If you are having trouble getting the cheese to melt quickly, it's okay to turn the heat on low under the pot. Just work quickly so the sauce doesn't curdle.
  4. Serve on warmed plates (see notes) with more parmesan cheese and a fresh grinding of black pepper.

Notes

  • How to Warm Plates
  • Stack your plates or bowls and place them in the oven, at its lowest setting (usually 150ºF), for 15 minutes. Alternatively, if your plates/bowls are not oven safe, just run them under hot water and dry with a kitchen towel before plating the food.
  • Authentic Alfredo sauce tends to want to solidify when served in cold plates, due to the temperature shock.
  • Storage and Reheating
  • While fettuccine Alfredo tastes best when freshly made, that doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy your leftovers!
  • The leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days, stored in an airtight container. They do not freeze well.
  • Reheat on the stove, over medium-low heat, adding more water (or pasta water, if you remembered to save extra) and butter.
  • Nutrition
  • Trust me, you won't want to look at the nutrition numbers for this recipe. Life is too short for that! 😂 

Nutrition Information

Calories 1064kcal (53%) Carbohydrates 83g (28%) Protein 37g (74%) Fat 66g (102%) Saturated Fat 40g (200%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g Monounsaturated Fat 18g Trans Fat 2g Cholesterol 256mg (85%) Sodium 938mg (39%) Potassium 342mg (10%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 1930IU (39%) Calcium 725mg (73%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 1064

% Daily Value*

Calories 1064kcal 53%
Carbohydrates 83g 28%
Protein 37g 74%
Fat 66g 102%
Saturated Fat 40g 200%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g 24%
Monounsaturated Fat 18g 90%
Trans Fat 2g 100%
Cholesterol 256mg 85%
Sodium 938mg 39%
Potassium 342mg 7%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 1930IU 39%
Calcium 725mg 73%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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