Delish editors handpick every product we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page. Fettuccine Alfredo is one of the most basic and delicious pasta recipes EVER—and it couldn’t be easier to how to thicken alfredo sauce! In fact, it’s so easy you can memorize it!
Half a cup butter, cheese, and cream is all you need to make this luscious sauce. Well, plus some pasta water, but that doesn’t really count. Tracing back to 15th century Rome, this dish quickly became popular throughout Europe, and later America. In the beginning, the sauce was comprised solely of butter, parmesan, and pasta water.
Nowadays, there are all sorts of interpretations of the original recipe. Some add cream, some add more cheeses and herbs, and many add meat or fish. What can I serve this with? How do I reheat my leftovers? We recommend reheating your pasta in a pan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Microwaving the pasta can give your noodles a too-soft texture, and might leave your sauce greasy instead of creamy. Editor’s Note: The introduction to this recipe was updated on September 10, 2021 to include more information about the dish.