Name: Traditional Alfredo Pasta (No Cream)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2 plates
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 0.75 lb pasta; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese; Salt; Black pepper; 1 cup reserved pasta water

Traditional Alfredo Pasta (No Cream) cover

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Traditional Alfredo Pasta (No Cream)

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Traditional Alfredo Pasta (No Cream)

Instructions

Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.

Place butter pieces in a large bowl. Add the hot cooked pasta directly to the bowl with the butter.

Pour in some reserved pasta water and add the Parmesan cheese.

Mix vigorously with tongs or a wooden spoon until a creamy sauce forms, adjusting with more cheese or water as needed.

Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Serve immediately topped with extra Parmesan if desired.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Reserve Pasta Water Before Draining 💧
Always save at least 1-2 cups of starchy pasta water before draining—this is your secret emulsifier that transforms butter and cheese into a silky sauce without cream.
Grate Cheese Fresh, Never Pre-Grated 🧀
Use a microplane or box grater on whole Parmigiano-Reggiano just before cooking; pre-grated cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent proper emulsification and create a grainy texture.
Keep Everything Off-Heat for Assembly 🔥
Toss your hot pasta with butter and cheese away from the stove, adding pasta water gradually while stirring constantly to create an emulsion—direct heat will cause the sauce to break and separate.
Use Unsalted Butter and Under-Salt Initially 🧂
Start with unsalted butter so you control the salt level precisely, and taste before the final seasoning—the pasta water and cheese add saltiness as you build the sauce.
Finish with Freshly Cracked Black Pepper ⚫
Add generous black pepper at the very end, not during cooking, so it stays vibrant and peppery—this simple garnish is essential to authentic Alfredo and shouldn't be cooked down into the sauce.