Our homemade creamy garlic Alfredo is a family favorite. Below is an easy fettuccine Alfredo recipe that delivers a rich, cheesy sauce made with milk, Parmesan, butter and plenty of garlic — all prepared from scratch in under 30 minutes. This restaurant-quality dinner is budget-friendly, quick to make, and perfect for weeknights or a cozy weekend meal.
Easy Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe
Classic fettuccine Alfredo is creamy, cheesy and comforting — a dish that children and adults both enjoy. The sauce starts with butter and garlic, is thickened with a bit of flour, then enriched with milk and freshly grated Parmesan. If you prefer an even richer texture, substitute heavy cream for the milk and skip the flour. This sauce pairs beautifully with fettuccine but works equally well with penne, spaghetti, macaroni or angel hair.
How to Make Classic Fettuccine Alfredo
To keep this meal balanced, consider stirring in vegetables such as fresh spinach, steamed broccoli, sautéed mushrooms, green beans or shredded kale before serving. These additions boost fiber and color while maintaining the creamy texture the dish is known for. This simple vegetarian pasta is perfect for Meatless Monday or any night you want a satisfying, quick dinner using basic pantry ingredients.
Creamy Garlic Fettuccine Alfredo
6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound fettuccine or pasta of choice, cooked to package instructions
- 1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)
- 4 cloves garlic , minced (or 2 teaspoons garlic powder)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 teaspoon dried herbs (basil, oregano, thyme, or a mix)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried mustard powder
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt , or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- (optional) extra grated cheese to serve on top
Instructions
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to the package directions. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set both pasta and reserved water aside.
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In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 1 minute — do not let the garlic brown.
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Whisk in the flour and continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and free of large lumps. This forms a light roux that will thicken the sauce.
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Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and simmer until it begins to thicken slightly.
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Stir in the dried herbs, mustard powder, grated Parmesan, salt and black pepper. Whisk until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
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Add the drained pasta to the saucepan and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water at a time until you reach the desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper or cheese. Serve immediately with additional grated Parmesan if desired.
Video
Nutrition Information per Serving
Carbohydrates: 63g,
Protein: 20g,
Fat: 19g,
Saturated Fat: 10g,
Cholesterol: 107mg,
Sodium: 761mg,
Fiber: 3g,
Sugar: 6g.
You’ll Love These Family Meal Ideas
- Creamy Lemon Sauce Chicken Thighs
- Crispy Lasagna Egg Rolls
- Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo — a chicken-topped version of this creamy favorite
- Garlic Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles
- Sesame Chicken & Zucchini Stir-Fry
More Easy Pasta Recipes: Italian pasta salad, chicken zucchini noodles with creamy garlic, and other kid-friendly dinners that use pantry staples. These recipes are designed for quick, family-friendly weeknight cooking.
If you try this recipe, consider sharing a photo on social media and leaving a rating or comment. Your feedback helps others discover simple, delicious recipes for weeknight meals. This recipe was originally published in 2020 and updated with new photos and tips.
