Traditional Alfredo Pasta (No Cream)

This Traditional Alfredo Pasta skips the cream and keeps it classic with just butter, cheese, and pasta water. Perfectly al dente pasta is tossed with rich butter and freshly grated Parmesan, then emulsified using starchy pasta water to create a silky, glossy sauce. It's simple, authentic, and incredibly comforting—ideal for when you want something fast and delicious with minimal ingredients.

Author: These Carbs Don't Count

Category: Dinner

Cuisine: Italian

Difficulty: MEDIUM

Prep. Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 2 plates

Calories: 584 kcal per serving

Ingredients

¾ pound - pasta
6 tablespoon - unsalted butter
1 ½ cup - Parmesan cheese
⅛ - Salt
⅛ - Black pepper
1 cup - reserved pasta water

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.