Rich Fettuccini Alfredo

Craving a creamy, indulgent pasta dinner that’s ready in just 20 minutes? This Rich Fettuccini Alfredo with Heavy Cream takes the classic dish to the next level by adding heavy cream and garlic for extra richness and flavor—far beyond the traditional butter-and-Parmesan version. It’s a perfect meatless meal that’s simple to make and utterly satisfying!

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Keyword fettuccine Alfredo with heavy cream, Rich Fettuccini Alfredo, what is Alfredo

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Total Time 20

Servings

Calories 871kcal

Author Evelyn Osborn

Equipment

Ingredients

1 pound dried fettuccine pasta
¼ cup butter
4 cloves garlic smashed and sliced
1 cup heavy cream
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 ¼ cup Parmesan cheese shredded – plus more for serving
Fresh Parsley optional for serving

Instructions

Cook the fettuccine pasta according to the package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water or pasta cooker. Important: Do not rinse the pasta after draining—it helps the sauce cling better.
While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter is fully melted and hot, add the garlic and sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently and watching closely to prevent scorching.
Next, pour in the heavy cream, then add the salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to the buttery garlic mixture.
Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the sauce to a gentle boil, whisking constantly, for about 2 minutes. Then, reduce the heat to medium-low.
Add the shredded Parmesan cheese and whisk continuously until it’s fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning if desired. You can also tweak the consistency at this point—it’s easy to adjust in a few simple ways.
SEE NOTE for ways to adjust consistency
Toss the hot cooked fettuccine with the creamy homemade Alfredo sauce until evenly coated, then serve immediately for the best texture
For extra flavor, top with additional shredded Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
Pair it with garlic bread and a fresh salad for a complete meal the whole family will love.

Notes

How to Adjust the Consistency of Your Alfredo Sauce

If the Alfredo sauce is too thin:

Stir in a splash of additional heavy cream, then bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Whisk constantly to prevent scalding, and let it simmer until it thickens gradually.
Alternatively, add more shredded Parmesan cheese a little at a time—this will thicken the sauce while enhancing its flavor without altering the classic taste.

If the Alfredo sauce is too thick:

Thin it out by stirring in a bit of milk or reserved pasta water. Bring the sauce back to a gentle simmer, whisking frequently, until it reaches your perfect creamy consistency.

Nutrition