Twirl up this fettuccine Alfredo for dinner tonight. The creamy sauce is surprisingly easy.
12 oz. fettuccine pasta (about 3/4 pkg.)
4 Tbsp. salted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
Pinch of ground nutmeg (optional)
1/2 tsp. table salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to package directions, until just al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the cream and bring to a light simmer over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 5 minutes. Whisk in 3/4 cup of the cheese. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper, adjusting to taste.
Add the drained pasta to the sauce and gently toss to coat. Add a little bit of the reserved cooking water to thin the sauce, if needed. Cook the pasta for 1 to 2 minutes, to absorb the sauce and finish cooking the noodles. Divide the pasta between serving dishes and sprinkle with the remaining cheese and parsley. Serve immediately.