10+ Alfredo Pasta Recipes You’ll Love to Try Tonight

Alfredo pasta recipes are a go-to when you want a meal that’s both simple and satisfying. The creamy sauce works with all kinds of pasta—fettuccine, penne, you name it.

These recipes are easy to whip up, and you can tweak them to fit your mood or whatever’s in your fridge.

You don’t need a long list of ingredients to make something delicious and rich. If you like it classic or want to mix things up, Alfredo pasta is a solid choice for a weeknight or even a special dinner.

Ingredients

• Pasta (fettuccine, penne, or whatever you like)
• Butter
• Heavy cream
• Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta as the package says, then drain it.
2. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add heavy cream and let it simmer for a few minutes.
4. Stir in grated Parmesan until the sauce thickens up.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Toss the pasta in the sauce.
7. Serve warm. Enjoy.

1) Classic Fettuccine Alfredo with Parmesan and Romano cheeses

This classic Alfredo is as simple as it gets, but the flavor is anything but boring. Butter, heavy cream, and a combo of Parmesan and Romano cheese make the sauce creamy and just a bit sharp.

You cook the fettuccine until it’s tender, but not mushy. Then, you swirl it around in the warm sauce so every strand gets coated.

Freshly grated cheese really does make a difference here. It melts better and gives everything a smoother finish.

This dish comes together fast and feels extra comforting—perfect for when you need a treat.

Ingredients

• 1 pound fettuccine pasta
• 1/4 cup (half stick) unsalted butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Romano cheese
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil fettuccine in salted water until al dente. Drain it.
2. Melt butter in a big pan over medium heat.
3. Pour in the cream and let it gently simmer, stirring now and then.
4. Stir in both cheeses and let them melt into the sauce.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Toss the pasta in until it’s coated. Serve right away.

Check out this Fettuccine Alfredo with Romano and Parmesan cheeses if you want another take.

2) Creamy Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Chicken Alfredo pasta feels a bit fancy but is honestly quick to make. Sear some chicken breasts until they’re golden and juicy, then whip up a creamy sauce with butter, cream, garlic, and Parmesan.

Toss in your cooked pasta. If you want veggies, steamed broccoli works great.

This is a lifesaver on a busy night or when you want dinner to impress without a lot of fuss. You can find a shortcut recipe that uses store-bought Alfredo sauce, jazzed up with extra cheese and seasonings, here.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 12 oz fettuccine pasta
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 4 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup broccoli florets (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta, then drain.
2. Season chicken and cook it in a skillet until done (about 165°F/74°C). Slice it up.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic.
4. Add heavy cream and let it gently bubble.
5. Stir in Parmesan until the sauce is smooth.
6. Mix in pasta, chicken, and broccoli (if using). Heat through.
7. Serve warm.

3) Shrimp Alfredo with Garlic Butter Sauce

Shrimp Alfredo with Garlic Butter Sauce is a quick, tasty dinner. The creamy sauce—made with butter, garlic, and cream—goes perfectly with shrimp and fettuccine.

Start by sautéing shrimp in garlic butter until they turn pink. Then, make the Alfredo sauce in the same pan.

Once the pasta’s cooked, toss it in the sauce and pile on the shrimp. It feels kind of special but only takes about half an hour.

Ingredients

• 12 oz fettuccine pasta
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta, drain, and set aside.
2. Melt 2 tbsp butter in a big pan over medium heat.
3. Add garlic and cook for a minute.
4. Toss in shrimp and cook until pink, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove shrimp.
5. Melt the rest of the butter in the same pan.
6. Pour in cream and let it simmer.
7. Stir in Parmesan until the sauce thickens.
8. Add pasta, tossing to coat.
9. Add shrimp back in and mix gently.
10. Season with salt and pepper.
11. Sprinkle with parsley if you want.
12. Serve warm.

4) One-Pot Penne Alfredo

One-pot penne Alfredo makes dinner easy—less mess, more flavor. You cook the pasta right in the sauce, so it soaks up all the creamy goodness.

Start by cooking penne with garlic and butter. Add milk and cream, then melt in Parmesan for that classic Alfredo taste.

You can toss in chicken or veggies if you’re feeling it. This is a real time-saver, especially when you want something cozy without a pile of dishes.

Try adding a handful of spicy arugula for a twist.

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt butter in a big pot over medium heat.
2. Add garlic, cook for a minute.
3. Add penne and just enough water to cover.
4. Boil, stirring often, until pasta is almost tender.
5. Stir in milk, cream, and Parmesan.
6. Cook until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
7. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

Want more details? Check the One-Pot Penne Alfredo Pasta recipe.

5) Easy 3-Ingredient Butter, Parmesan, and Pasta Water Alfredo

You can make Alfredo sauce with just butter, Parmesan, and pasta water. No cream needed—the pasta water makes it creamy all on its own.

Melt butter in a pan, then splash in some hot pasta water. The starch in the water thickens the sauce and pulls everything together.

Next, whisk in grated Parmesan until it’s all melty and smooth. Toss in your pasta and mix it up before serving.

Ingredients

• Butter
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Pasta water
• Pasta (any type)

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil pasta and save ½ cup of the water before draining.
2. Melt ¼ cup butter in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add the pasta water to the butter.
4. Whisk in ¾ cup Parmesan until it’s smooth.
5. Toss pasta in the sauce. Serve right away.

Want to see how it comes together? Here’s an easy pasta Alfredo recipe.

6) Alfredo Pizza with Creamy Sauce

Alfredo pizza is a fun twist—swap tomato sauce for creamy Alfredo. Start with your pizza crust and spread on a layer of rich Alfredo sauce.

Top with mozzarella for extra gooeyness. Add grilled chicken, spinach, or mushrooms if you’re in the mood.

Bake until the cheese bubbles and the crust gets golden. This one’s easy to customize and great when you want something a little different.

Ingredients

• 1 pizza crust
• 1 cup Alfredo sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup cooked chicken (optional)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Optional: spinach, mushrooms

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Spread Alfredo sauce over the crust.
3. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan.
4. Add chicken and any other toppings.
5. Bake 12-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
6. Slice and serve warm.

Find more creamy pizza ideas over at Tastes Better From Scratch.

7) Chicken Gnocchi Alfredo Soup

Chicken Gnocchi Alfredo Soup is pure comfort in a bowl. You cook tender chicken and pillowy gnocchi in a creamy Alfredo broth.

It’s a great way to warm up on a chilly day or when you just want something easy and filling. Sprinkle in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to bring out the flavors.

You can toss in spinach or carrots for a veggie boost. Using store-bought Alfredo sauce keeps things quick.

Making it is as easy as combining everything in a pot and letting it simmer until the gnocchi’s soft and the chicken’s heated through.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 package potato gnocchi
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup Alfredo sauce
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: 1 cup spinach or diced carrots

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat broth and Alfredo sauce in a soup pot over medium-high.
2. Add chicken, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir it up.
3. Add gnocchi and cook until they float, about 3-5 minutes.
4. Stir in veggies if using, and cook until they soften.
5. Serve hot.

Want a step-by-step? Here’s a Chicken Gnocchi Alfredo Soup recipe.

8) Peppered Shrimp Alfredo

If you’re craving a quick meal with a bit of kick, Peppered Shrimp Alfredo might be just the thing. The shrimp cook up with garlic, bell peppers, and mushrooms in a creamy Alfredo sauce.

Cayenne pepper gives it a mild heat, enough to notice but not enough to scare anyone off. It’s a nice way to make the dish pop without going overboard.

You can get this one on the table in under 30 minutes. Serve it over penne or whatever pasta you have on hand.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 2 pounds fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup Alfredo sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pasta as the package says, then drain and set it aside.
2. Heat olive oil and butter in a pan over medium.
3. Toss in onion, garlic, bell pepper, and mushrooms. Let them soften up.
4. Add shrimp and cook until they turn pink and firm, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Stir in Alfredo sauce and cayenne. Mix it all together.
6. Add salt and pepper.
7. Toss the cooked pasta into the pan with the sauce and shrimp. Serve warm.

You can find more details in the Peppered Shrimp Alfredo Recipe on Allrecipes.

9) Alfredo with Nutmeg and Garlic Twist

Sometimes, you just want to tweak the classic. Adding nutmeg and garlic to Alfredo does the trick.

Start by gently sautéing minced garlic in butter. Add heavy cream and a pinch of nutmeg.

Stir it all together so the flavors meld. The nutmeg makes the sauce feel a little cozier, while garlic brings some depth.

Use Romano or Parmesan for that cheesy finish. Pour the sauce over fettuccine or whatever pasta you like.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces fettuccine pasta
• 1 cup butter
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Pinch of nutmeg
• ¾ cup grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook your pasta, drain, and set aside.
2. Melt butter in a pan over medium.
3. Add garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until you can smell it.
4. Pour in heavy cream and nutmeg. Let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes.
5. Add cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir until the sauce is smooth.
6. Toss the pasta with the sauce and serve warm.

10) Quick 20-Minute Alfredo Pasta

You can get a creamy Alfredo fix in just 20 minutes. Perfect for those nights when you’re hungry but not in the mood to fuss.

Boil your pasta until it’s al dente. While that’s going, make the sauce—just butter, cream cheese, Parmesan, and milk.

This combo melts into a smooth, cheesy sauce without much effort. Toss the cooked pasta in and you’re basically done.

If you want, add some cooked chicken or veggies to bulk it up. For the full rundown, check out this 20-minute Alfredo pasta recipe.

Ingredients

• 8 oz fettuccine or pasta of choice
• 2 tbsp butter
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: cooked chicken or steamed vegetables

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil pasta in salted water. Shoot for al dente—usually takes 8 to 10 minutes.

2. Melt some butter in a pan over medium heat.

3. Toss in the cream cheese and keep stirring until it melts down.

4. Pour in the milk bit by bit, stirring as you go. You want a creamy sauce, not a lumpy mess.

5. Mix in the Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

6. Drain the pasta, then toss it with your sauce.

7. If you’re feeling it, add cooked chicken or veggies.

8. Serve it up while it’s still warm.