This basic pasta cream sauce is worth learning how to make. Only 3 ingredients and the taste will rival any Italian restaurant. Once you master the basics, you can customise this recipe in so many different ways. I can show you how!
The recipe for pasta cream sauce I am about to share shouldn’t really be called a recipe. It’s so easy and only has 3 ingredients. It is however what authentic Italian cream sauce is all about.
Simplicity
Quality ingredients
What is pasta cream sauce?
Pasta cream sauce could be known under many names. Alfredo sauce, parmesan sauce, etc. Those names however, are not something that Italians actually use.
There are many stories on the internet linking an Alfredo sauce recipe to a restaurant in Rome but I am not sure how much of it is true and what is fiction. From what I can gather the famous Alfredo sauce is an American invention and as it is the case with most American recipes it has many unnecessary ingredients.
Garlic, chicken stock, flour, milk. None of them are really needed to make a full flavour cream sauce for any types of pasta.
How do you make authentic Italian pasta cream sauce?
I don’t want to build any more suspense than what is already there. Truth is all you need is cream, freshly grated parmesan cheese and salt.
You are probably wondering how could be that good when it’s so simple. I will say it again.
Quality ingredients.
How to make restaurant quality Alfredo sauce pasta at home
It’s really important to rely on your own instincts when making simple dishes because apart from quality ingredients they also rely on proper cooking techniques.
Lucky for you, cooking a delicious pasta dish is not too difficult if you follow a few simple steps.
Always buy 100% durum semolina pasta made in Italy. It’s worth your money I promise you.
Always salt the water you boil your pasta in. No oil, just salt.
Always cook your pasta al dente. (Buying 100% durum semolina pasta makes it easier to achieve since it’s got a bit of a chew.)
Always reserve some water the pasta was cooked in to add to the sauce later. The main reason for is because hot pasta absorbs liquid very quickly and greedily.
And even though you made enough sauce to serve with your pasta, the minute you combine the two a portion of the sauce gets absorbed, and all of a sudden you’ve got dry pasta but what we want is saucy!
Here is when your reserved starchy water comes to the rescue and turns your pasta into something silky smooth and lovely.
Always dress your hot pasta with a sauce before serving!
This point is actually very important as I often see sauce on the side in people’s homes and blogger’s photos. There is really no good reason for it. All it does is exposes your undressed pasta and makes it dry and flavourless.
Can I use pre-grated Parmesan cheese for this pasta cream sauce recipe?
You can but I wouldn’t recommend it.
Once the cheese is grated and packaged, it immediately dries out and starts losing flavour, so you would actually need more of pre-grated cheese to get enough flavour in your sauce.
Buying a small, vacuum sealed piece of Parmesan and grating it yourself before adding to pasta sauces will always result in a more flavourful and creamier dish.
As I’d mentioned, this recipe for pasta cream sauce is basic to which you can add all kinds of things to make it more interesting like this Creamy Tagliatelle with Bacon, Portobello Mushrooms and Truffle Oil.
If you are a fan of tomato sauces as well, check out my Homemade Basil and Tomato Spaghetti Sauce.
What is your favourite? Red Sauce or White Sauce? Let me know in comments.
I love seeing your creations from my website! If you do make one, do tag @vikalinka in your Instagram snaps!
- 500ml/2cups double cream/heavy cream
- 50g/1/2cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- salt to taste
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Heat the cream in a pan over low heat but do not let it boil.
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Take it off the heat and whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Taste the sauce and add the salt as needed. (Salt is an important ingredient here, so do not skip it.)
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To dress the pasta with the cream sauce, add the pasta directly to the pan with the sauce and gently shake the pan to coat the pasta with the sauce. Add up to 1/3 cup of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
Serve immediately.
Read the tips in the post on how to make better pasta dishes.
Gorgeous recipe and fab explanation on the benefits of best ingredients and NOT throwing out the cooking water. As for red or white sauce: if I’m being healthy I would always say red. But if I’m being honest, it will be creamy white! I’m a health food blogger but I’m not silly 🙂
Kellie, I am the same. I cook the red sauce much more frequently than the cream one! And when kids ask for the cream sauce, I make them a carbonara that is all eggs! lol They don’t know and feel very lucky!
Even though I am more of a red saucy pasta type of person, this looks so satisfying. Creamy, comforting and super delicious.
Thanks so much, Esha!!
I’d actually have to say a creamy or cheesy tomato!
I don’t think you can beat a nice, creamy pasta sauce – it’s my absolute favourite! I love this kind of Parmesan sauce with tagliatelle 🙂
It is definitely a comfort food item, isn’t it!
My favourite sauce depends on the type of pasta being served – I love a creamy white sauce like this with tagliatelle. I’m going to be trying this recipe soon – it sounds so good!
I am the same way! I pick the sauce depending on my pasta. Tagliatelle is my favourite and spaghetti is my least favourite. I find I like thicker pastas!
Amazing share…you have shared awesome tips and details to make pasta sauce and pasta for a beginners like me.
I am glad you found them helpful, Lathiya
I don’t think I can ask for anything more delicious! This would be on my dessert island meals because it is just so satisfying yet easy and totally yum. Luckily my fusspot kids are in agreement for once!
I am sure I will feel that my life’s work is complete when I can satisfy the fussiest of kids! lol Thanks, Lucy!