20-Minute Meal: Fettuccine Alfredo

2.20.2012





Last week, I made Pioneer Woman's chicken pot pie. 
{Here I would insert the picture I took then accidentally deleted.}


The pot pie was delicious, as most of her recipes are, but it called for 1 cup of heavy cream, and the grocery store was out of the small cartons, so I was forced to buy the large, 1-quart carton.


After making the pot pie, I ended up with a mostly full carton of cream. Luckily, I already had the perfect recipe to use up the extra. If you happen to find yourself in a similar heavy cream situation, this is the recipe for you.

It's easy, takes less than 20 minutes, and only requires six ingredients (seven if you include the pasta).



Makes approximately 4-6 servings (depending on how hungry you are and how much meat/veggies you add.)

To make the sauce, you will need:

  • 2 c. heavy cream 
  • 1 1/2 c. parmesan cheese 
  • 3 T butter
  • 1/2 t. pepper
  • 3 cloves pressed garlic
  • 2 t. basil
Variations: 

I always add cooked broccoli and chicken. I'm sure you could add almost any meat or vegetable to this and it would be delicious.

DIRECTIONS:

Cook the pasta. (You can use any type of noodles you have on hand; it doesn't have to be fettuccine.) 
*You want to time it so that the pasta is finished as close to your sauce as possible*

While the pasta is cooking, make the sauce. 

Step 1: Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Add pressed garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes just until the butter starts to boil.

Step 2: Add cream, pepper, basil, and cheese. Stir to combine.
Step 3: Simmer on low heat until smooth, stirring occasionally. 

Note: Don't worry if your cheese initially clumps together and seems like it will never become smooth. Just keep stirring, slightly increasing the heat if necessary just until the mixture begins to boil. 

The only way you can ruin this is to not stir it and allow the cheese to sit on the bottom of the pan and burn. 

Step 4: Pour sauce immediately over hot pasta and serve. Add chicken, broccoli, or other variations if desired. 

Note: If the sauce seems too watery once you've poured it over the pasta, just let it cool for a few minutes. It will thicken up.

And that's it! The perfect use for leftover heavy cream...or the perfect excuse to buy some in the first place. 

Bethany said...

Sounds delicious (minus the chicken, since I am a vegetarian)!

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