Alfredo Pasta Recipe – Rich And Creamy And Easy To Make

This alfredo pasta recipe is a family favorite and made on very special occasions. I try not to cook super-rich dinners every night of the week, but when I do… I go BIG.

You will absolutely love the flavors that this pasta dish houses. Restaurant quality with grandma’s loving touch. And did I mention that it is so easy to make? You only need a few ingredients to get started!

I get asked quite often about my thoughts on fresh pasta vs. traditional boxed pasta. Here is the truth. I am not the BEST at cooking fresh pasta. Hey! I’m just being honest!

I like my pasta to be al dente and I always seem to mess up the timing when it comes to freshly made noodles. So, if you can figure out how to cook fresh pasta, my hat is off to YOU.

I, personally, have a mental block in that arena. So, I tend to stick to my favorite boxed brands and just go from there.

What matters most in this alfredo pasta recipe is the fresh ingredients you make for the sauce. Usually, I would use fresh garlic cloves and chop them up when cooking for my family, but I was out and worked with the jarred option instead. Either version works, of course! It’s just a taste preference.

Let’s kick off this alfredo pasta recipe before I get too hungry. Are you ready for this carb-friendly dish?! One of my favorites!

Alfredo Pasta Recipe Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream (or use half and half)
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup, plus 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese
• 8 oz fettuccine pasta, cooked, drained and kept warm
• chopped fresh parsley, optional for serving

Alfredo Pasta Recipe Directions:

Cut your butter into small pieces and then add them into a large skillet. Stir in your garlic and heat over medium heat until the butter is melted.

Add your heavy whipping cream and cream cheese and then season with salt and pepper. Take a moment to smell all that yummy goodness. Ok, moving on.

Heat over medium heat, whisking frequently until smooth and hot. If you don’t have this fancy whisk, use your fork. Whatever works! Just try to get rid of all the clumps.

You are ready to stir in 1/2 cup cheese. Keep whisking until everything is melted.

Remember – in my ingredients list, I called for “already cooked pasta”. Add your pasta and heat over medium-low heat until everything is heated through.

Top with fresh parsley and remaining cheese before serving. I would serve this immediately.  Serves 4

What Do I Serve As A Side Dish?

I think if you put together a simple side salad and had a warm loaf of bread, you would be good to go! My children also love it when I chop up tomatoes and cucumbers and mix them with a little bit of olive oil and salt.

Really simple, but fresh enough to offset the heaviness of the sauce. It’s a great side dish to have to snack on while waiting, too. I visited China a few years ago and it changed the way I looked at dinner. In China, small plates are constantly added to the dinner table throughout the meal and I truly loved that experience.

So, while my little ones are waiting, I usually put out a bit of the meal here and there for them to start to pick on and then eventually it’s just all plated and set. I should do a write up on this because it really was such a great way to look at eating. It’s how we eat as a family every single night. Sometimes I randomly open up pickles and cut up some cheese. Other afternoons, I drain some olives and just leave them out so everyone can start to gather.

These dishes keep us together longer. It makes dinner go from being 20 minutes to more of an hour affair. And you know what? Now that my children are a lot older, I see how quickly they are slipping right through my fingertips. So, I need to hold onto to unplugged times as much as possible.

When making this alfredo pasta recipe, you could add a few plates of your favorite antipasti and surround the main dish. Consider artichokes, olives, even cured meats!

You Top Cheese With Cheese?

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I know! Isn’t it fantastic!? If you are looking at this dish and thinking that there is just too much cheese involved for your body, I have a solution that works! Seriously. I’m lactose sensitive and whenever I eat this alfredo pasta recipe, I usually just pop a Lactaid before to be safe. I’m the ONLY ONE IN MY FAMILY who is lactose sensitive.

I don’t have a lactose allergy – it’s not that severe! But just to be safe, I always just take one of these pills and everything is A OK! If you were ever curious about whether or not they worked… I’m here to tell you that they DO.

Looking for other recipes? How about these:

• Easy Taco Casserole Recipe
• Cranberry Pecan Bread Recipe
• Easy Overnight French Toast Bake 
• Irish Soda Bread Recipe
• Easy Breakfast Casserole Recipe
• Homemade Rice Pudding Recipe
• Zucchini Noodles Recipe – Asian Inspiration
• One Pot Taco Spaghetti Recipe