Fettuccine Alfredo Recipes & Homemade Alfredo Sauce

Fettuccine Alfredo is a creamy pasta favorite that's easy to adapt for family meals. Kids can help measure ingredients, grate Parmesan, prepare vegetables and toss cooked pasta with sauce while learning useful pasta and sauce-making skills.

On this page you'll find several ways to make Alfredo-style pasta, from a lighter homemade sauce thickened with flour and milk to a richer butter-and-cream version. You can also turn Alfredo sauce into chicken and broccoli pasta, vegetable primavera, soup, pizza and other easy meals.

Fettuccine Alfredo recipes with creamy pasta sauce

Start Here: Which Alfredo Recipe Should You Make?

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Alfredo Recipes on This Page

Alfredo Sauce Basics & Tips

There is more than one way to make a creamy Alfredo-style pasta sauce. Some family recipes use butter and Parmesan with cream, while lighter versions use a basic white sauce made with butter, flour and milk. Both methods work well for teaching kids how ingredients come together to coat pasta.

Choose Your Pasta

Fettuccine is the classic choice for this type of creamy sauce, but you can use linguine, spaghetti, penne, bow ties or another favorite pasta shape. See our easy pasta recipes for more pasta cooking ideas.

Add Vegetables

Broccoli, peas, spinach, mushrooms, zucchini and other cooked vegetables work well with creamy pasta. Learn more in our How to Cook Vegetables lesson.

Make It a Meal

Add cooked chicken or shrimp for extra protein. Leftover or rotisserie chicken makes an especially easy addition. See more chicken dinner recipes.

Serve It Right Away

Creamy pasta sauces are usually best served soon after they're mixed with the noodles. As Alfredo sauce cools, it thickens and the pasta continues to absorb some of the sauce.

Alfredo Sauce Tip: Before draining the pasta, save about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. If your sauce becomes too thick after you toss it with the noodles, stir in a tablespoon or two of the warm pasta water until the sauce reaches the consistency you like.

Homemade Fettuccine Alfredo

This easy homemade Fettuccine Alfredo starts with a simple butter-and-flour sauce, then adds milk, garlic and Parmesan cheese. It's a lighter-style Alfredo sauce and a good recipe for kids who are learning how to whisk and thicken a basic white sauce.

Homemade fettuccine Alfredo with creamy Parmesan sauce
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Ingredients

  • 12 ounces fettuccine or other pasta
  • 1 pound broccoli, chopped, optional
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch of nutmeg
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Reserved pasta cooking water, as needed

Directions

  1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. If using broccoli, add it during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking.
  2. Before draining the pasta, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and broccoli and set aside.
  3. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
  4. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring so it doesn't brown.
  5. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute.
  6. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth.
  7. Add the salt, pepper and nutmeg. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sauce begins to thicken, about 3-5 minutes.
  8. Remove the pan from the heat and gradually stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
  9. Add the drained pasta and broccoli and gently toss until coated.
  10. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a small amount of the reserved pasta water until it reaches the consistency you like.
  11. Serve immediately with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Kid Cooking Tip: Kids can measure the milk and seasonings, grate Parmesan at their skill level and practice whisking the sauce. An adult should supervise the boiling pasta and stovetop.
Make It a Meal: Add chopped cooked chicken, cooked shrimp, peas, spinach or other favorite vegetables.

Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo

This shortcut Alfredo dinner combines chicken, broccoli and pasta with a creamy Parmesan sauce made from condensed mushroom soup. It's an easy option when you want a creamy chicken pasta without making a sauce from scratch.

Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo
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Ingredients

  • 8 ounces fettuccine, spaghetti or other pasta
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed or homemade cream of mushroom soup *
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

  1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
  2. Add the broccoli during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking. Drain and set aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  4. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, no longer pink in the center and cooked through.
  5. In a bowl, stir together the condensed soup, milk, Parmesan cheese and pepper.
  6. Pour the soup mixture into the skillet with the cooked chicken.
  7. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the sauce is smooth and heated through.
  8. Add the drained pasta and broccoli and toss gently until coated with sauce.
  9. Serve warm with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.
* Variation: If your family doesn't like mushrooms, use condensed or homemade cream of chicken soup instead.
Kid Cooking Tip: Kids can measure and whisk together the sauce ingredients and help add the cooked pasta and broccoli. An adult should handle raw chicken, boiling water and the hot skillet.

Butter & Cream Alfredo Sauce

This richer Alfredo-style sauce uses butter, cream, garlic and Parmesan instead of a flour-thickened white sauce. It comes together quickly, so have the pasta cooked and ready before finishing the sauce.

Butter & Cream Alfredo Sauc
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Ingredients

  • 8-12 ounces fettuccine or other pasta
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Reserved pasta cooking water, as needed

Directions

  1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
  2. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat.
  3. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
  4. Stir in the cream and gently heat until steaming. Do not let it boil rapidly.
  5. Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in the Parmesan cheese until smooth.
  6. Season with salt and black pepper.
  7. Add the hot drained pasta and toss until evenly coated.
  8. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a little reserved pasta water until creamy.
  9. Serve immediately.
Alfredo Tip: Keep the heat low when adding Parmesan. High heat can cause the cheese to become grainy instead of melting smoothly into the sauce.

Fettuccine Primavera with Vegetables

This creamy Fettuccine Primavera combines pasta with broccoli, zucchini, celery and carrots in a light Parmesan sauce. It is a good way for kids to practice chopping vegetables, making a simple sauce and combining several parts of a meal.

Fettuccine primavera with vegetables and creamy Parmesan sauce
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Ingredients

  • 12 ounces fettuccine or other pasta
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 small zucchini, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced or diced
  • 2 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk or half-and-half
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch of nutmeg
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Reserved pasta cooking water, as needed
  • Cooked chopped chicken, optional

Directions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions.
  2. Add the broccoli during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and broccoli and set aside.
  3. Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  4. Add the zucchini, celery and carrots. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender-crisp. Transfer the vegetables to a plate.
  5. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the same skillet and melt over medium heat.
  6. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute.
  7. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth.
  8. Add the salt, pepper and nutmeg. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce begins to thicken.
  9. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese until smooth.
  10. Add the cooked pasta, broccoli and sautéed vegetables to the sauce and toss gently to combine.
  11. If using cooked chicken, stir it in now and heat through.
  12. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little reserved pasta water until it reaches the consistency you like.
  13. Serve immediately with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Kid Cooking Tip: Kids can help wash vegetables, measure ingredients, grate Parmesan and stir the sauce. Older kids can practice safe vegetable chopping with supervision. An adult should handle the boiling water and hot skillet.

Change the Vegetables

Use whatever vegetables your family enjoys or has on hand. Peas, spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, asparagus or cauliflower can all work well in a creamy primavera-style pasta.

Another Alfredo with Vegetables Recipe

Pumpkin Alfredo-Style Pasta

This creamy pumpkin pasta is a lighter twist on Alfredo-style noodles. Pumpkin puree adds color and creaminess while onion, Parmesan and a pinch of nutmeg give the sauce plenty of flavor. It's also an easy way to show kids that pumpkin can be used in savory recipes, not just desserts.

Fettuccine primavera with vegetables and creamy Parmesan sauce
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Ingredients

  • 8 ounces fettuccine or other pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely grated or minced
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • Reserved pasta cooking water, as needed

Directions

  1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain and set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
  3. Add the onion and cook for about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened.
  4. Stir in the pumpkin puree, milk and broth until smooth.
  5. Add the salt, black pepper and nutmeg.
  6. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce is hot and slightly thickened. Do not let it boil rapidly.
  7. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese until combined.
  8. Add the cooked pasta and toss gently until the noodles are evenly coated with pumpkin sauce.
  9. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a little reserved pasta cooking water until it reaches the consistency you like.
  10. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve immediately with additional Parmesan cheese on top.
Kid Cooking Tip: Kids can measure the pumpkin, milk and broth, grate Parmesan at their skill level and help whisk the sauce together. An adult should supervise the boiling pasta and hot stovetop.

Make It a Meal

Add cooked chicken, peas, spinach or roasted vegetables to the finished pasta. For a meatless version, use vegetable broth and add vegetables such as broccoli or spinach.

More Pumpkin Recipes

More Ways to Use Alfredo Sauce

Alfredo sauce isn't just for fettuccine. Use it as a creamy base for soup, spread it over pizza or combine it with chicken, vegetables and other pasta dishes. These ideas are an easy way to turn Alfredo sauce into a different family meal.

Alfredo Tortellini & Spinach Soup

Reader recipe submitted by Kelly, Tennessee.

This creamy Alfredo soup combines cheese tortellini, spinach and broth with prepared Alfredo sauce. Add cooked sausage or another cooked meat if you'd like a heartier soup, or add chopped carrots or other vegetables your family enjoys.

Creamy Alfredo tortellini and spinach soup
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Ingredients

  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth, plus 1/2-1 cup more as needed
  • 4-6 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini
  • 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
  • 1 jar (about 15 ounces) Alfredo sauce or about 2 cups homemade Alfredo sauce
  • 1 cup cooked crumbled sausage or other cooked meat, optional
  • Black pepper, to taste, optional

Directions

  1. Pour the broth into a medium saucepan and bring it to a gentle boil.
  2. Add the tortellini and cook according to the package directions until just tender.
  3. While the tortellini cooks, place the thawed spinach in a clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels and squeeze out as much excess liquid as possible.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir the spinach and cooked sausage, if using, into the broth.
  5. Stir in the Alfredo sauce and cook gently for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the soup is heated through. Do not let it boil rapidly after adding the Alfredo sauce.
  6. If the soup is thicker than you like, stir in a little additional broth or milk.
  7. Taste and add black pepper if desired. Serve warm.
Kid Cooking Tip: Kids can measure the ingredients, help squeeze the cooled thawed spinach and stir the Alfredo sauce into the soup with supervision. An adult should handle the hot saucepan and boiling broth.

Serving Idea

Kelly's family likes serving this soup in bread bowls or with homemade rolls. A green salad or cut vegetables also makes an easy side dish.

More Soup Recipes

Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo Pizza

Turn Alfredo sauce into an easy white pizza by spreading it over a prepared pizza crust and adding mozzarella, chicken and vegetables. Broccoli works especially well, but you can change the toppings to create your own Alfredo pizza.

Chicken and broccoli Alfredo pizza with mozzarella cheese
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Ingredients

  • 1 prepared or prebaked pizza crust
  • 1/2-3/4 cup Alfredo sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup cooked broccoli florets, chopped into small pieces
  • 1 cup chopped cooked chicken, optional
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional
  • Diced tomatoes or other cooked vegetables, optional

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven according to the directions for the pizza crust you are using.
  2. Place the prepared pizza crust on a pizza pan or baking sheet.
  3. Spread about 1/2 cup Alfredo sauce evenly over the crust, leaving a small border around the edge. Add a little more sauce if needed, but avoid using so much that the crust becomes soggy.
  4. Sprinkle about half of the mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
  5. Arrange the cooked broccoli, chicken and any other desired toppings over the cheese.
  6. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, if using.
  7. Bake according to the pizza crust package directions, or until the pizza is hot, the cheese is melted and the edges of the crust are lightly browned.
  8. Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Kid Cooking Tip: Pizza is an easy recipe for kids to assemble. They can spread the Alfredo sauce, sprinkle the cheese and arrange cooked toppings over the crust. An adult should handle the hot oven, baking pan and pizza cutter.

Try Different Alfredo Pizza Toppings

Instead of chicken and broccoli, try spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, roasted vegetables or a combination of your favorites. Keep watery vegetables well drained so the pizza crust doesn't become soggy.

More Pizza Recipes

Another Way to Use Alfredo Sauce: Chicken Alfredo Lasagna

Alfredo sauce also makes a creamy alternative to tomato sauce in baked pasta dishes. Try our Chicken Alfredo Lasagna, made with chicken, cheese and white sauce layered with lasagna noodles.

Chicken Alfredo lasagna with white sauce

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Watch Fettuccine Alfredo Being Made

Watch how a creamy Fettuccine Alfredo comes together, then compare the method with the Alfredo recipes above. Different Alfredo recipes use different combinations of butter, cream, milk and Parmesan cheese, so watching another method is a good way for kids to see how recipes for the same dish can vary.

Watch & Compare: As you watch, notice when the cheese is added, how the sauce is mixed with the pasta and how thick the finished sauce looks. Compare it with the Homemade Fettuccine Alfredo and Butter & Cream Alfredo Sauce recipes above.

Easy Ways to Change Alfredo Pasta

Once you know how to make a basic Alfredo-style pasta, it's easy to turn it into a different meal. Start with cooked pasta and Alfredo sauce, then choose vegetables, protein or seasonings your family enjoys.

Add Vegetables

  • Broccoli
  • Peas
  • Spinach
  • Mushrooms
  • Asparagus
  • Zucchini

Cook vegetables until just tender before adding them to the pasta. See How to Cook Vegetables for more cooking ideas.

Add Protein

  • Cooked chicken
  • Shrimp
  • Cooked sausage
  • Ham
  • Salmon

Add already-cooked meat or seafood near the end and heat it through with the pasta and sauce.

Change the Pasta

  • Fettuccine
  • Linguine
  • Spaghetti
  • Penne
  • Bow ties
  • Tortellini

Alfredo sauce doesn't have to be served with fettuccine. Different pasta shapes make an easy way for kids to change the same basic meal.

Add More Flavor

  • Fresh garlic
  • Black pepper
  • Parsley
  • Basil
  • Extra Parmesan
  • Pinch of nutmeg

Start with a small amount of seasoning, taste and add more if needed. See our Herbs & Spices lesson for more flavor ideas.

How to Reheat Alfredo Pasta

Alfredo sauce thickens as it cools, and refrigerated pasta continues to absorb some of the sauce. When reheating leftovers, add a small splash of milk and heat gently, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is hot and the sauce becomes creamy again.

For the best texture, avoid overheating the sauce or bringing it to a hard boil.

Keep exploring creamy pasta dishes, homemade sauces and other easy pasta recipes kids can help make.

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Submit your favorite kids recipe

Do you have a favorite recipe your kids love to make? Or a recipe your kids ask you to make again and again? Share it with us!

Fettuccine Alfredo FAQ

What is Alfredo sauce made from?

Alfredo-style sauces can be made in different ways. Some recipes use butter, cream and Parmesan cheese, while lighter family versions may begin with a white sauce made from butter, flour and milk before Parmesan is added.

Do you have to use fettuccine with Alfredo sauce?

No. Alfredo sauce also works with linguine, spaghetti, penne, bow ties, tortellini and other pasta shapes. Use a pasta that your family enjoys and cook it according to the package directions.

Why does Alfredo sauce get too thick?

Alfredo sauce thickens as it cools, and pasta continues to absorb some of the sauce. If it becomes too thick, stir in a small amount of warm pasta cooking water or milk until it reaches the consistency you like.

How do you keep Alfredo sauce smooth?

Use gentle heat and add Parmesan gradually. Very high heat can make cheese sauces grainy. Finely grated Parmesan also melts more easily than large pieces.

What vegetables go well with Fettuccine Alfredo?

Broccoli, peas, spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, asparagus and cauliflower all work well with creamy pasta. Cook the vegetables until just tender before combining them with the pasta and sauce.

What protein can you add to Alfredo pasta?

Cooked chicken, shrimp, sausage, ham or salmon can be added to Alfredo pasta. Add already-cooked meat or seafood near the end so it only needs to heat through.

Can kids help make Fettuccine Alfredo?

Yes. Kids can measure ingredients, grate Parmesan at an appropriate skill level, prepare vegetables and help whisk or stir the sauce. An adult should supervise boiling water, hot pans and stovetop cooking.

How do you reheat leftover Alfredo pasta?

Add a small splash of milk and reheat the pasta gently, stirring occasionally, until hot and creamy again. Avoid overheating or rapidly boiling the sauce.

Return to Easy Pasta Recipes

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