Creamy Penne Alfredo Pasta in Under 20 Minutes

heavy cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: milk + cornstarch

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor with fewer calories

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil provides healthy fats and is often more affordable

parsley

🥗Healthier: spinach

💰Cheaper: dried herbs

Spinach adds nutrients and color, while dried herbs are cost-effective

Start by boiling the penne pasta in salted water until cooked.

In a skillet with sides, melt the butter without browning it.

Add minced garlic to the skillet and toast for about 30 seconds.

Immediately add heavy cream and half and half to the skillet.

Stir the cream mixture well.

Add grated parmesan cheese to the sauce and stir until melted.

Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg.

Reduce the heat and continue cooking the sauce for about five minutes to thicken it.

Once the pasta is ready, directly grab the penne and add it to the sauce, including some pasta water for extra sauciness.

Mix the pasta with the sauce over low heat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired sauciness.

Serve the penne Alfredo warm, as the sauce will thicken as it cools.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens