Holiday Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe (2024)

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Fettuccini AlfredoRecipe– We’re sharing our easy holidayFettuccine AlfredoRecipetoday. With only a handful ofingredients, this decadentpasta dishis a timeless treat that your family will love.

Holiday Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe (1)

Why We Love This Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

Every year we have certain holiday movies that we can’t wait to watch once the weather turns cold.

The Christmas Storyis a classic we always enjoy as a family the week before Christmas. Then Lt. Dan and I like to watchLove Actuallyon winter nights once the kids are in bed. But my personal favorite isThe Holidaywith Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz.

There’s a scene in The Holiday where Iris (Kate Winslet) and Miles (Jack Black) are comparing the low moment of their twisted romantic relationships, and after hearing just how torn up the other person is feeling, they decide to make “Christmas Fettuccine” to lighten the mood.

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Every time I watch this scene, instead of pondering the lesson of not getting stuck in unhealthy manipulative relationships… all I can think about is fettuccine alfredo.

Does this happen to anyone else?

Because really… Although there are many ways to preparefettuccine, Fettuccine Alfredo is that end-all comfort dish we only allow ourselves to enjoy on rare occasions. Like Christmas.

I’m not exactly sure how Fettuccine Alfredo became popular as a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day dish, but I’d guess it has to do with how quick it is to make and how lavish it tastes.

Today I’m sharing my version of classic Fettuccine Alfredo, made with just a few quality ingredients.

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What Ingredients You Will Need

  • 2 packages DeLallo Fettuccine Egg Pasta 8.8-ounce packages
  • 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
  • 1 clove garlic large, finely minced
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 pinches freshly ground nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper
  • Chopped parsley optional
  • Crushed red pepper optional
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How To Make Fettuccine Alfredo

Truly, there is no easier pasta dish to prepare than Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe.

Instructions

Set a large pot of salted water over high heat and bring to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to package instructions.

Meanwhile, place the butter and garlic in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute for 2-3 minutes, then add the cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in the shredded cheese, lemon zest, and nutmeg. Stir until the alfredo sauce is smooth. Then check the pasta. Once the pasta is “al dente” (cooked, but firm) scoop it out of the water (reserving at least 2 cups of water) and into the alfredo sauce. Stir and cook the pasta and sauce together for 1-3 minutes. Salt and pepper if needed, and add a pinch of crushed red pepper if desired.

If the alfredo sauce starts to tighten too much before you are ready to serve the fettuccine alfredo, stir in some of the pasta water to loosen the sauce. Serve warm with a sprinkle of chopped parsley over the top!

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Holiday Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe (6)
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Get the Complete (Printable) Fettuccini Alfredo Recipe Below. Enjoy!

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Holiday Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe (9)

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Do Leftovers Last?

You can store these leftovers in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. I would not recommend freezing the leftovers.

Can I Make Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo?

Yes, you can use this recipe to make a brilliant Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo recipe by simply adding grilled chicken, breaded chicken cutlets, or sauteéd chicken to the top of the pasta.

What Other Ways Can I Serve This Dish?

You can add fresh broccoli florets into the cooked pasta noodle dish when you toss them with the sauce. The broccoli will cook quickly in the hot cheese sauce. Or serve your Fettuccine Alfredo with a sizzling steak, our favoritestanding rib roast, some juicy shrimp, and some roastedbrussels sprouts,or your favorite vegetables.

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Looking for More Pasta Dishes to Try? Be Sure to Also Try:

  • Chicken Pesto Pasta
  • Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
  • Greek Shrimp Pasta
  • Spinach Ricotta Pasta
  • Tomato Pesto Pasta with Chicken

Check out the printable recipe card below for the nutrition information including calories, protein, carbohydrates, cholesterol, and sodium percentages.

Holiday Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe (11)

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Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Easy holiday Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe your whole family will love. With only a handful of ingredients, this decadent pasta dish is a crowd-pleaser.

Servings: 8

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Set a large pot of salted water over high heat and bring to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to package instructions.

  • Meanwhile, place the butter and garlic in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute for 2-3 minutes, then add the cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in the shredded cheese, lemon zest and nutmeg. Stir until the alfredo sauce is smooth. Then check the pasta. Once the pasta is "al dente" (cooked, but firm) scoop it out of the water (reserving at least 2 cups of water) and into the alfredo sauce. Stir and cook the pasta and sauce together for 1-3 minutes. Salt and pepper if needed, and add a pinch of crushed red pepper if desired.

  • If the alfredo sauce starts to tighten too much before you are ready to serve the fettuccine alfredo, stir in some of the pasta water to loosen the sauce. Serve warm with a sprinkle of chopped parsley over the top!

Video

Notes

You can store these leftovers in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. I would not recommend freezing the leftovers.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 638kcal, Carbohydrates: 46g, Protein: 19g, Fat: 43g, Saturated Fat: 26g, Cholesterol: 180mg, Sodium: 537mg, Potassium: 215mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 1460IU, Vitamin C: 0.5mg, Calcium: 359mg, Iron: 1.4mg

Course: Main Course, Pasta

Cuisine: American, Italian

Author: Sommer Collier

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Holiday Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you make fettuccine alfredo taste better? ›

You could just add garlic powder, sure, but quickly sautéeing fresh garlic while your pasta cooks is a great way to layer flavor. Resnick likes to add spinach as a way to cut the richness of the sauce. Add a tablespoon or so of olive oil and a few cloves of minced garlic in a sautée pan over medium heat.

Why do we have fettuccine on Christmas Eve? ›

If you've seen the movie The Holiday, you know the story behind this recipe. If not, you should see it, but I'll tell you anyway. In the Christmas Eve scene, Kate Winslet's character insists her and Jack Black have "Christmas Fettuccine" to cheer them up.

How to make Alfredo sauce from a can better? ›

Alfredo sauce is quick and easy to make, recipes are on line and several are pretty good. But that's not the question. To make store bought taste better add some fresh grated parm or romano cheese, a shake of white pepper and a pinch of italian seasoning.

What makes fettuccine alfredo so good? ›

The original fettuccine Alfredo

The real Alfredo sauce is delicious because of its simplicity. The only ingredients are butter, Parmesan cheese and pepper. That's it! You'll find neither heavy cream nor parsley in the original recipe.

What can you add to fettuccine alfredo? ›

There are dozens of variations of fettuccine Alfredo out there. You could sprinkle in fresh herbs and lemon zest or juice to cut the richness of the cream. You could also top servings with cooked shrimp or chicken for some protein, or toss in a vegetable like cooked asparagus!

How do you keep Alfredo sauce thick? ›

The easiest way to accomplish this is to mix about a spoonful of cornstarch to 2 spoonfuls of liquid – it could be water or chicken stock or even milk. You will add this mixture, also called a slurry to the sauce and as it starts to cook, the sauce will thicken.

What thickens Alfredo sauce? ›

The key ingredient in Alfredo sauce is cheese—generally Parmigiano Reggiano—and lots of it. To thicken Alfredo sauce, simply add more cheese than the amount called for in a recipe until you achieve the consistency you want.

What gives Alfredo its taste? ›

Alfredo sauce is a rich, creamy sauce that is typically made with butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Some recipes also call for garlic, herbs, or other seasonings. Essentially, the sauce is a combination of butter and cream, with the Parmesan cheese adding a tangy, salty flavour.

Why does Olive Garden Alfredo taste so good? ›

Pasta with Alfredo sauce is one of the restaurant's two most popular dishes, with lasagna also making the cut. As for why Olive Garden's alfredo sauce is so delicious, it likely has to do with how creamy and cheesy it is (though the added garlic certainly helps). The flavorful white sauce makes the ideal comfort food.

Why do people put flour in Alfredo? ›

All-purpose flour: To help form a roux and thicken the sauce. If you are making gluten-free Alfredo sauce, however, you are welcome to omit the flour and have a slightly thinner sauce. Or you can use a cornstarch slurry to thicken it (see details below).

Do onions belong in Alfredo? ›

By the way, as the recipe dictates, definitely use shallots: they add a REALLY nice flavor to the sauce. However, if you don't have shallots, you can use very finely minced red onion or regular onion or garlic. Remember, the dish is best when served immediately.

How do you fix bland fettuccine? ›

Here are some ways to make leftover pasta sauce taste better if it is bland:
  1. Season it with salt and pepper. This is the simplest way to add flavor to your sauce. ...
  2. Add some acidity. ...
  3. Add some sweetness. ...
  4. Add some umami. ...
  5. Add some herbs. ...
  6. Add some garlic. ...
  7. Add some heat. ...
  8. Add some cheese.
Nov 19, 2023

How do you make fettuccine alfredo creamy again? ›

While controlling the heat is what helps the fat (oil) not separate from the sauce in the first place, adding cream to your leftovers is what helps to revive the dish. This leaves the pasta nice and creamy again and makes sure that it's not dried out.

Why does my Alfredo taste plain? ›

Not adding cream cheese

Cream cheese might seem like an unconventional ingredient to add to a pasta sauce. But adding cream cheese to your alfredo sauce will make it taste much better. The cream cheese adds a thickening element to your sauce and a mild tangy flavor that makes your alfredo sauce unique.

What makes Alfredo taste like Alfredo? ›

What Makes Alfredo Taste Alfredo? The key to Alfredo sauce's unique flavour is the combination of butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese. The butter and cream create a rich, velvety base, while the Parmesan cheese adds a tangy, salty flavour.

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