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Simple Fettucine Alfredo

A simple authentic Italian Pasta with Alfredo Sauce! Optional ingredients are offered if you want to flavor it up!

Course dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Keyword easy pasta recipe, fettucine alfredo, gluten free
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 16 oz fettuccine, cooked to package instructions (minus one minute)
  • 6 oz (3/4 cup) softened butter
  • 8 oz freshly and finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • sea salt and pepper to taste

optional ingredients: if desired use one or all!

  • 4 oz pancetta (Italian bacon) cooked and chopped, used as a garnish
  • 10 basil leaves, chopped, , used as a garnish
  • 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts, , used as a garnish
  • 1 clove garlic peeled and minced, added to sauce
  • zest of one lemon, added to sauce

Instructions

  1. Set a large stock pot of water to boil, cook pasta to package instruction minus 1 minute. While pasta water heats and pasta cooks, prepare the other ingredients

  2. If using: cook pancetta in a pan (like bacon), allow to cool and chop. If using basil, chop and set aside.

  3. Use a hand mixer to beat butter and parmesan cheese together. (if using garlic or lemon zest add now)

  4. When pasta is almost done cooking, remove 1/2 cup pasta water. Add 1/4 cup pasta water to butter and cheese mixture. Stir to create a sauce. If sauce needs thinning, add more pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is achieved.

  5. Strain pasta (do not rinse) and immediately pour into a large bowl. Add Alfredo sauce and toss well. Add sea salt and pepper to taste, toss again.

To Plate:

  1. Add pasta to plates and top with pancetta, basil and/or pine nuts if using.