Easy 3 Ingredient Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

This easy three ingredient Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe is made with a classic sauce using butter and Parmesan cheese that melts to be combined with cooked fettuccine noodles for a rich and creamy pasta recipe.

Craving more alfredo sauce recipes? Then be sure to try making the recipe for Chicken Alfredo Biscuit Pizza or some Creamy Alfredo with Bacon and Peas.

My son loves fettuccine alfredo. I mean he loves it so much that each time we make a trip to a particular restaurant it's the only thing he orders. Now I totally get it because it used to be a favorite of mine as well.

Thick and hearty pasta noodles, buttery and creamy sauce, with the rich flavor the combination gives are like nothing else. Especially when topped with more freshly grated cheese and black pepper. It really doesn't get any better.

Now when you order this dish at a restaurant the sauce is creamy and heavy. It's thick and really covers the fettuccine noodles in alfredo sauce, which is great as the occasional treat, but can be a bit much to try to duplicate at home.

When recreating a pasta dish at home it has to be easy to make, quick to whip up, and full of flavor. I also enjoy making meals that require few ingredients and even more if I already have those ingredients in my kitchen. So when making fettuccine alfredo at home I only need three ingredients...pasta, butter, and cheese.

Jump to:

• Ingredients You'll Need
• STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
• Recipe Tips & Tricks
• 📖 Recipe
• MORE RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE

Ingredients You'll Need

This pasta is so simple and basic, but only requires a handful of ingredients to make the alfredo sauce.

1. Fettuccine Pasta - Use any fettuccine pasta that you prefer. You may use the boxed version, refrigerated pasta, or freshly made if you have access to it. If you prefer to use a different kind of pasta, then you may do that as well.
2. Butter - Any that you have available, can be salted or unsalted.
3. Parmesan Cheese - Try to select a high-quality Parmesan cheese that can be found in the cheese/deli section of your local grocery store. Select a version that you have to grate yourself instead of the bag version because it will melt and blend so much easier. One of the benefits of getting it from the cheese/deli section is that you can purchase just enough to use in this recipe because it is sold by weight. Also, make sure it is Parmesan cheese only and not a blend with any other cheese or other ingredients.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities.

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Begin the recipe by grabbing a large pot and cooking the fettuccine pasta according to the package instructions until the pasta is al dente. Reserve 2 cups of the pasta water prior to draining and set this aside for later.

Using the same large pot that you cooked the pasta in, pour in some of the pasta water that you set aside. Turn the heat to a low simmer and whisk in the butter stirring often until it melts and then slowly add in the grated parmesan cheese.

If you prefer a thinner sauce, then add in more of the reserved pasta water. Once the butter and cheese have melted, toss in the pasta, and stir until the noodles are fully coated.

Immediately remove the fettuccine alfredo from the heat. Serve topped with more freshly grated parmesan and some salt and pepper to your preference. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips & Tricks

• For a thicker sauce, add less pasta water. For a thinner sauce, add more pasta water. I would begin by adding in ½ cup at a time until your desired consistency is reached.
• Before serving, top with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
• Grate the Parmesan cheese yourself using a boxed grater.
• Add salt and ground black pepper to your preference before serving.

📖 Recipe

Original post date 03/06/2017. Updated 08/25/2022.

MORE RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE

• Chicken Alfredo Biscuit Pizza
• Creamy Alfredo with Bacon and Peas
• Spaghetti and Meatballs
• Quick Pasta Toss

Have any comments, questions, or more delicious ways to enjoy this Three Ingredient Fettuccine Alfredo? Please share them in the comments below!