Yes, I know butter and cream and parmesan are technically nutrition. :) But I decided to add a healthier ingredient.
Broccoli.
Here's my basic Alfredo recipe…
Here are the ingredients I used (approximately, since I just dumped). :) If you want the real recipe, pull out your Betty Crocker Cookbook (and double the recipe for a family with big appetites).
1 box fettuccine noodles
1 bag shredded fresh parmesan (not the powdered stuff!) plus a little bit of a second bag
1/2 stick butter (the real thing. Don't even think about margarine)
Approx. 1/2 cup half & half (enough to make it fairly "wet")
Fresh ground Pepper to taste
Fresh ground nutmeg (Optional, and go easy on it. The first time my daughter got to grate whole nutmeg, she had so much fun she got carried away. Our meal tasted more like eggnog!)
I sometimes add Tyson Fajita Chicken (already cooked) but didn't use it this time.
Boil noodles in salted water according to directions until al dente. I usually test it by eating a noodle...or two or three. (Love this part!) :) They need to still be somewhat firm (chewy) for Alfredo. This time, I tossed in fresh broccoli flowerettes for the last 2 or 3 minutes of boiling time.
Don't overcook the noodles or they'll mush up and disintegrate! Drain, and toss in the butter. Let sit until melted.
Add half & half to the noodles. Stir around until coated with the butter and cream. Then dump in the shredded parmesan. Toss.
So easy and tasty!! Enjoy!
YUM. I have yet to try and make fettucini alfredo. I keep saying I will, but I never do. Maybe because I have to think ahead and buy half and half!
ReplyDeleteBut this looks delish.
You can make it with full cream if you have it. Or even milk! Whole would be best. I actually buy light half and half.
DeleteI make Alfredo often, but I've never tried it like this, Missy! I've always made the sauce, then mixed the two... This sounds so delightfully easy and delicious!
ReplyDeleteI start with a thin white sauce (milk, a little flour, salt and pepper and butter) and then thicken it with the Parmesan, but like I said, this sounds quick, easy and wonderful. I'm totally psyched!!!
I've made it with a white sauce fefore but like this version so much better. So be sure you try it, Ruthy!
DeleteMmmm yum, must give this a try. And hey -- Yankee Belle cafe came through for me again! Woot. I went to a pot luck last night. A friend of mine bought her first home...a cute little mobile home in a beautiful trailer park. Anyway -- I made Jan's spring salad -- the one with the spring lettuce mix and strawberries and almonds and feta cheese. Everybody LOVED it. I felt like a salad star all night. But oy, got in late and missed waking up early to write. Oops. I'll be back on track tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad everyone liked the salad! Thanks for letting me know!
DeleteI'm glad, Kav! I always come here first to search for recipes. :)
ReplyDeleteI had never thought of adding nutmeg to Alfredo! Thanks for the tip :)
ReplyDeleteI need to put this on next week's menu. I have an Alfredo-anything loving son who will actually eat this...as long as I cook the broccoli separate. I think that boy is allergic to green.
I also learned something recently - the more "al dente" you cook your pasta, the less of a glycemic impact it has on your body. Cooking it to mush kind of kick starts the breakdown of the starches, and your body just sucks in all those carbs. When you leave the pasta a bit firm, your body has to work harder to convert the food into usable carbs, so they don't hit the body all at once. Al dente, it is!
That's good to know, Jan! I like it chewy. :)
DeleteAS GOD AS MY WITNESS, (do you Southern gals eat Italian??) I was just thinking about Fettuccine Alfredo with Broccoli yesterday. I make mine with Knorr Alfredo sauce mix. I want some. NOW!!!!
ReplyDeleteWe eat Italian way too often! Lol
DeleteI made this for supper tonight. Added the chicken (seasoned with Rosemary/Garlic seasoning). Delicious and SO easy!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Missy!
I'm glad, Jan!
DeleteI'm going to Olive Garden! I think my fave way is more like an alfredo soup with the fettucine floating in it...LOTS of the white stuff! and toss in some chicken and their salad for veggies...
ReplyDeletesusanna