Fettuccine Alfredo is a classic Italian pasta dish that has been a favorite at Italian restaurants for decades. Known for its simple combination of creamy, buttery Parmesan sauce and tender fettuccine noodles, fettuccine Alfredo is the ultimate comfort food.
Though you can easily order it at restaurants, fettuccine Alfredo is surprisingly easy to make at home. You can recreate that rich, restaurant-quality Alfredo sauce in your kitchen with simple ingredients like butter, Parmesan, garlic, and heavy cream.
Here, we will discuss the best Fettuccine Alfredo recipe from scratch at your home. So grab your apron and start cooking some serious Italian comfort food!
Ingredients Needed For Homemade Fettuccine Alfredo
Ingredients for homemade Fettuccine are;
- All-purpose flour
- Eggs
- Salt
Ingredients for Alfredo Sauce are;
- Butter
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Garlic
- Black pepper
- Heavy cream or whole milk (optional)
The flour, eggs, and salt are essential for making fresh pasta dough and achieving the right texture for fettuccine noodles.
You need butter and Parmesan cheese as the core ingredients for the Alfredo sauce to create the classic creamy, cheesy flavor. Garlic and black pepper add aromatic depth and a touch of spice. Heavy cream or whole milk can make the sauce extra smooth and luxurious, but it is not strictly necessary.
Step-By-Step Instructions For Making Fresh Fettuccine Pasta
Here are the step-by-step instructions for making fresh fettuccine pasta:
Step 1: Make The Pasta Dough
To start the fettuccine recipe, mound the flour on a clean work surface or in a large mixing bowl. Create a well in the center and crack the eggs into the well. Add a pinch of salt. Using a fork, lightly beat the eggs. Then, slowly incorporate the flour from the inner walls of the well, mixing until the dough comes together.
Step 2: Make The Dough
Once combined, make the dough with your hands for about 10 minutes until smooth, elastic, and not sticky. Form into a ball.
Step 3: Keep The Dough
Wrap this dough ball in any plastic bag and let it keep at room temperature for almost 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax.
Step 4: Roll Out The Dough
Cut the dough into 4 pieces. Working with 1 piece at a time and keeping the rest covered, use any rolling pin to roll the dough into thin sheets about 1/8 inch thick. Lightly flour the dough as needed to prevent sticking.
Step 5: Cut The Fettuccine And Dust With Flour
Carefully feed the sheets through the fettuccine cutter attachment on a pasta machine to cut uniform noodles. Or use a sharp knife to cut by hand into 1/4-inch wide strands. At last, spread the freshly cut fettuccine strands on a sheet tray and dust lightly with flour. This helps prevent sticking. Now the fresh pasta is ready to cook!
How To Make Alfredo Sauce from Scratch
Here are the step-by-step instructions for making homemade Alfredo sauce from scratch:
Step 1: Melt The Butter
Heat 3-4 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over low heat until melted and foamy.
Step 2: Sauté Garlic
Once the butter is melted, add 2-3 cloves of minced garlic. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 3: Add Parmesan
Reduce heat to low and slowly add 1-1.5 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese while stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or whisk. The cheese will melt into the butter to create a smooth sauce.
Step 4: Thicken The Sauce And Season
Continue cooking and stirring over low heat for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth and silky. Season the Alfredo sauce to taste with salt, pepper, and nutmeg if desired.
Step 5: Keep Warm
Remove pan from heat and cover to keep the sauce warm while you cook the pasta. The residual heat will allow the flavors to blend. Your Alfredo sauce is ready to use.
Putting It All Together - Cooking The Pasta And Tossing With Sauce
Step 1: Cook The Fresh Pasta
Bring any large pot of water (salted) to a boil. Once the water is rapidly boiling, add the fresh fettuccine. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Before draining the pasta, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. This will be used to adjust the sauce consistency if needed. Drain the fettuccine well in a colander, gently shaking off any excess water. The pasta should be hot and ready for saucing.
Step 2: Make The Alfredo Sauce
Reheat the Alfredo sauce over medium-low heat as the pasta cooks until warmed, about 2-3 minutes. The sauce should be hot and ready for tossing with the fettuccine. Turn off the heat.
Step 3: Toss The Pasta And Sauce
Immediately transfer the drained fettuccine while still hot to the pan with the warmed Alfredo sauce. Gently toss using tongs or pasta forks until the pasta is thoroughly coated in the creamy sauce.
If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up. The starchy water helps emulsify the sauce so it evenly coats each noodle.
Step 4: Finish And Serve
Once the pasta is sauced, quickly transfer it to individual plates or pasta bowls. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper. Serve the classic Fettuccine Alfredo immediately while still hot and creamy.
Tips For The Best Homemade Fettuccine Alfredo
Use Quality Ingredients
Make sure to take your time with the core ingredients. Splurge on imported Italian Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and use real butter instead of margarine.
Thin The Sauce With Pasta Water
Before draining the fettuccine, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. Whisk this into the Alfredo sauce to thin and emulsify it so it coats the pasta nicely. The starch in the water acts as a natural thickener.
Toss Thoroughly
After draining the fettuccine, toss and coat the noodles well so they are thoroughly and evenly coated. This prevents clumping.
Season Correctly
Taste the finished pasta and sauce and season with salt, pepper, and freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano to get the perfect flavors. Proper seasoning is key.
Conclusion
Making authentic fettuccine Alfredo from scratch is easier than you think! You can recreate that irresistible, creamy Parmesan sauce and silky homemade pasta in your kitchen with simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps. You can also make fettuccine alfredo chicken at home with the same easy steps. Try it today and enjoy the luxurious Italian dishes!
