Description
A foolproof, beginner-friendly creamy Alfredo pasta recipe featuring rich heavy cream sauce, fresh Parmesan, and crispy pancetta, ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 pound fettuccine or penne pasta
- 6 ounces pancetta, diced
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pancetta: Add diced pancetta to a cold skillet over medium heat. Cook for 5-7 minutes until crispy and golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
- Sauté the garlic: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add minced garlic to the hot pancetta fat and stir constantly for about 60 seconds until fragrant and light gold. Do not burn.
- Make the sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Add the cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat. Gradually stir in the grated Parmesan until completely melted and smooth. Season with black pepper and salt to taste.
- Cook the pasta: While the sauce simmers, boil pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Combine and serve: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss over low heat for 1 minute. Add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired consistency. Top with crispy pancetta and fresh herbs. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Grate your own Parmesan cheese to ensure smooth melting. Always remove the pan from heat before adding cheese to prevent separation. Save starchy pasta water to help the sauce cling to the noodles. This recipe does not freeze well due to the dairy content.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 18
Keywords: alfredo pasta, creamy pasta, pancetta pasta, easy dinner, beginner recipe, italian food, weeknight dinner, comfort food