Description
This Easy Fettuccine Alfredo recipe offers a quick and creamy pasta dinner in just 20 minutes. Featuring a rich sauce made with heavy cream, butter, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, it is complemented with sweet frozen peas for added color and texture. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal, this straightforward recipe requires simple ingredients and minimal cooking steps, delivering classic Italian flavors with ease.
Ingredients
Fettuccine Alfredo Sauce
- 3/4 cup Heavy Cream
- 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 1/2 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper, to taste
Pasta and Vegetables
- 6 ounces Fettuccine Noodles (Linguine noodles work, too)
- 3/4 cup Frozen Peas
Instructions
- Boil Water: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil to prepare for cooking the pasta.
- Prepare Cream Mixture: In a 2-cup glass measuring cup, combine the heavy cream and unsalted butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, pulsing until the butter is fully melted and the mixture is steaming. Set aside.
- Grate Cheese: If not pre-grated, freshly grate the Parmesan cheese to ensure optimal flavor and melting texture.
- Cook Pasta: Once the water is boiling, add several big pinches of salt, then add the fettuccine noodles. Stir once to prevent sticking and cook according to the package instructions.
- Add Peas: When the pasta is nearly done, stir in the frozen peas and cook for an additional 1 minute to heat through.
- Reheat Sauce: Briefly reheat the cream and butter mixture in the microwave until it starts steaming again.
- Drain Pasta and Peas: Drain the cooked pasta and peas, then transfer them to a serving bowl.
- Add Cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese thoroughly, tossing to allow it to melt evenly into the pasta.
- Combine Sauce: Pour the warm cream and butter mixture over the pasta and peas. Toss gently to combine. Taste and adjust with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
- Serve: Serve the creamy fettuccine Alfredo immediately while hot for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and meltability.
- The recipe serves 2; adjust ingredient quantities accordingly for more servings.
- You can substitute linguine noodles if fettuccine is unavailable.
- For a lighter version, consider using half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Adding frozen peas provides sweetness and a pop of color but can be omitted if preferred.
- Cooking pasta until al dente ensures ideal texture and prevents mushiness when combined with the sauce.
