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Fettuccine Alfredo

This classic Fettuccine Alfredo is the ultimate vegetarian comfort food, celebrating the simple yet luxurious partnership of butter, double cream, and aged Parmigiano-Reggiano. By using high-quality egg pasta, you create a silky texture that allows the savoury, nutty notes of the cheese to shine. It is an effortlessly elegant dish that relies on just a few larder staples to deliver a restaurant-quality finish at home.

Perfect for a quick midweek dinner or a relaxed weekend lunch, this recipe is designed to be on the table in less than fifteen minutes. The secret lies in using the starchy pasta water to emulsify the sauce, ensuring a velvety coating on every strand. Serve it with a crisp green salad or a side of steamed long-stem broccoli for a perfectly balanced meal.

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Ingredients for Fettuccine Alfredo

  • 8 to 250g egg fettuccine in nests

  • 120ml double cream

  • 1/2 stick unsalted butter, cut into pieces

  • 80ml grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

How to make Fettuccine Alfredo

Cook fettuccine in a pasta pot of boiling salted water (2 tablespoons salt for 5.7L water) until al dente. Reserve 120ml cooking water, then drain pasta.

Meanwhile, bring cream and butter to a simmer in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-low heat, adding 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoons pepper.

Add fettuccine, 60ml reserved water, and cheese to sauce and toss. Add more cooking water if necessary.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 16 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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