Description
This spaghetti Alfredo is a quick and easy family dinner made with tender spaghetti tossed in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce. Made with simple pantry ingredients and ready in minutes, it's my mom's budget-friendly take on classic Alfredo pasta and perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, optional, for tossing the cooked spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter
- 4-5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more for the pasta water
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups (500 ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti – Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve a little pasta water, then drain. Toss with a small amount of olive oil if needed to prevent sticking.
- Sauté the Garlic – Melt the butter in a large pan over low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to let it brown.
- Make the Creamy Sauce – Pour in the heavy cream and season with salt and black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for a few minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Add the Parmesan – Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Add the Spaghetti – Add the cooked spaghetti to the Alfredo sauce and toss until every strand is well coated. Cook for another minute over low heat until everything is heated through.
- Serve – Serve the spaghetti Alfredo immediately with extra freshly grated Parmesan and black pepper, if desired.
Notes
Use Freshly Grated Parmesan – Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly into the sauce than pre-shredded cheese.
Keep the Heat Low – Add the Parmesan over low heat and stir gradually to help create a smooth, creamy Alfredo sauce.
Save Some Pasta Water – If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in a splash of reserved pasta water until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Add Vegetables – Sautéed mushrooms, broccoli, spinach or peas are easy additions if you want to add vegetables.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Family Dinners, Main Course
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: per servin g
- Calories: 690 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 390 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg