Pasta Recipe
creamy alfredo with noodles & grana padano + garlic baguette
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Ingredients
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Creamy Alfredo Pasta
Garlic Baguette
Method
Creamy Alfredo Pasta
- 1
Boil the pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water (about 4-6 quarts) to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz fettuccine and cook until just shy of al dente (follow package for time, usually 9-11 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- 2
Start the sauce
In a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter. Add the 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- 3
- 4
Add dairy
Slowly whisk in 1 cup whole milk and 1 cup heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer (do not boil vigorously). Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
- 5
Finish the sauce with cheese
Reduce heat to low. Gradually stir in 1.5 cups grated Grana Padano, stirring constantly so the cheese melts smoothly. If the sauce seems too thick, add up to 1/2–1 cup of the reserved pasta cooking water a few tablespoons at a time until you reach a silky consistency.
- 6
Season
Season the sauce with 1 tsp salt, 3/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, and an optional 1/8 tsp freshly grated nutmeg. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- 7
Combine pasta and sauce
Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the sauce. Toss and gently cook for 1–2 minutes so the noodles absorb some sauce and everything is well coated. If needed, loosen with more reserved pasta water (a tablespoon at a time).
- 8
Garnish and serve
Turn off heat, sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the pasta, toss lightly, and serve immediately with extra Grana Padano at the table.
Garlic Baguette
- 9
Preheat oven
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- 10
Prepare garlic butter
In a small bowl, combine 4 tbsp softened unsalted butter, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Mix until well combined. Stir in 2 tbsp grated Grana Padano if using.
- 11
- 12
Bake
Place the prepared baguette halves or slices on a baking sheet, buttered side up. Bake for 8–10 minutes until the butter has melted and the edges are golden. For a crispier top, switch to broil for 1–2 minutes—watch carefully to avoid burning.
- 13
Finish
Remove from oven and let cool 1 minute. Sprinkle with additional chopped parsley and serve warm alongside the pasta.
