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    Home Β» Recipes Β» Main Dishes

    Easy 3 Ingredient Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

    August 25, 2022 by LaKita 4 Comments

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    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
    overhead view of finished fettuccine alfredo recipe in large skillet topped with parsley and ground black pepper

    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.

    overhead view of finished fettuccine alfredo recipe in large skillet topped with parsley and black pepper

    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.

    overhead view of ingredients needed to make alfredo pasta
    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.

    cooked pasta in a bowl and pasta water in a glass measuring cup

    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.

    pasta water, butter, and Parmesan melted and combined in skillet

    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.

    cooked pasta and sauce in skillet

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

    pasta and sauce combined together in skillet

    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 Β½ 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

    overhead view of bowl of fettuccine pasta topped with parsley beside a fork

    Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

    LaKita Anderson
    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.
    5 from 4 votes
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    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 532 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 12 ounces fettuccine pasta
    • 4 tablespoons butter, cubed
    • 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated

    Instructions
     

    • In a large pot, cook the 12 ounces fettuccine pasta according to the package instructions until the pasta is al dente. Reserve 2 cups of the water prior to draining the pasta and set this aside.
    • Using the same large pot that you cooked the pasta in pour in 1 cup of the pasta water that you set aside. Turn to a low simmer and stir the 4 tablespoons butter until it melts and then slowly add in the 1 cup grated parmesan cheese.
    • If you would like 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 thoroughly 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!

    Notes

    • For a thicker sauce, add less pasta water. For a thinner sauce, add more pasta water. I would begin by adding in Β½ 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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 532kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 20gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 123mgSodium: 545mgPotassium: 257mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 619IUCalcium: 254mgIron: 2mg

    *All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.

    Keyword fettuccine alfredo
    Tried this recipe?Mention @SimplyLaKita or tag #SimplyLakita

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

    close up side view of finished alfredo pasta in skillet

    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!


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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Akaleistar

      March 11, 2017 at 8:35 pm

      Mmm, that looks really good! For some reason, I think fettuccine is better than spaghetti.

      Reply
      • admin

        March 13, 2017 at 1:00 pm

        Thank you! I totally agree with you πŸ™‚

        Reply
    2. lee

      April 25, 2017 at 11:10 am

      Hi LaKita,

      You are a girl after my own heart. When you said quick, easy to make and full of flavour. That's what I am all about so I really like this dish. When it only has three ingredients too it makes it quite an inexpensive meal too and that ticks another box for me as I much prefer making a meal you could get in a nice restaurant for a tenth of the price.

      Great post, many thanks! Great write up too and awesome photos. You have great natural light in your kitchen which makes your food pop!

      Reply
      • admin

        April 26, 2017 at 11:19 am

        Thank you so much! This recipe is so quick and easy, plus the price is really nice πŸ™‚

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm LaKita, a food blogger living in Northwest/Panhandle Florida. I love creating and sharing recipes that are simple to make and comforting to eat. Follow me for more delicious recipes.

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