How to make Italian white sauce pasta

Italian white sauce pasta, often known as Fettuccine Alfredo, is a creamy and indulgent pasta dish made with a rich sauce consisting of butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Here's a simple recipe to make this delicious pasta dish:

Ingredients:

For the Pasta:

• 8 ounces (about 2 cups) of fettuccine pasta (you can also use other pasta types like linguine or spaghetti)
• Salt for pasta water

For the White Sauce:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional, but adds a nice flavor)

For Garnish (optional):

• Chopped fresh parsley or basil leaves
• Additional grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

Cook the Pasta:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add the fettuccine pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente (usually around 8-10 minutes).
• Drain the pasta and set it aside. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water.

Prepare the White Sauce:

• In a large skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
• Once the butter has melted, pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. 
• Stir continuously for about 2-3 minutes until it begins to thicken slightly.

Add Parmesan and Season:

• Reduce the heat to low and gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese to the cream and butter mixture. Stir continuously until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
• Season the sauce with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and nutmeg (if using). Adjust the seasonings to your taste.

Combine Pasta and Sauce:

Add the cooked and drained fettuccine pasta to the skillet with the white sauce. Toss the pasta in the sauce until it is well coated. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a small amount of the reserved pasta cooking water to thin it out to your desired consistency.


Serve: 

• Garnish the creamy pasta with chopped fresh parsley or basil leaves for a pop of color and flavor.
• Optionally, sprinkle additional grated Parmesan cheese over the top.

Serve immediately while hot. Enjoy your homemade Italian white sauce pasta!

This creamy pasta dish is best enjoyed as soon as it's prepared. It makes for a decadent and satisfying meal.