Penne Pasta with Alfredo Sauce: A Step-by-Step Guide

Penne pasta with alfredo sauce is one of the most loved comfort foods. Its creamy texture and rich flavor make it perfect for any night you want something satisfying and easy. Whether as a quick weekday meal or for sharing with friends and family, penne pasta with alfredo sauce always hits the spot.

One nice thing about this dish is that it can be customized to your liking. You may add chicken, shrimp or veggies like broccoli and spinach to suit your tastes. This makes penne pasta highly versatile for whatever ingredients you have on hand.

In this article, we will show you how to make penne pasta with alfredo sauce from scratch. With simple steps and ingredients you likely already have, you can make this creamy classic with ease. Follow along to learn the basic technique, then get creative adding your own flavors.

Penne Pasta with Alfredo Sauce: A Step-by-Step Guide

Recipe by MarcusCourse: PastaCuisine: Italian-AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories Per Serving

650

kcal

Ingredients

• 16 oz (500g) Penne pasta (dried or fresh)

• 3-4 tbsp Unsalted butter

• 2-3 cloves Garlic, minced

• 1 cup (250 ml) Heavy cream

• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• Optional add-ins:

• Chicken (1 lb, cooked)

• Shrimp (1 lb, cooked)

• Vegetables (Broccoli, Spinach, etc.)

Directions

• Cook the Pasta
• Prepare the Alfredo Sauce
• Combine
• Serve

Notes

• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk.
• To make it vegan, replace butter with vegan butter, cream with coconut milk, and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

What is Alfredo Sauce?

What most people think of as Alfredo sauce has its roots in early 20th century Rome. Created by chef Alfredo di Lelio, it was originally meant to be a comforting, nourishing meal for his pregnant wife who had no appetite. Di Lelio simply combined fettuccine pasta with butter and Parmesan cheese – and Alfredo sauce was born.

This original version soon attracted attention from American tourists visiting Di Lelio’s restaurant. As it made its way to the United States, the penne alfredo sauce evolved. Cream was often added to make it richer and creamier. This is how the formula most closely resembling modern Alfredo sauce came to be.

Traditional Alfredo calls for just three main ingredients – butter, heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. As the cheese emulsifies into the blended liquids, it creates a silky smooth texture that beautifully coats the pasta. Over decades, variations grew popular like adding chicken or shrimp.

While many think of Alfredo as an authentic Italian specialty, it’s actually less common there. In Italy, a similar pasta dressed with butter is more typically called pasta al burro. Some other myths include the idea that homemade Alfredo is difficult. 

In reality, it simply means melting butter and stirring in cream and cheese until blended to a velvety consistency. Even using half-and-half or milk can result in a lighter yet still rich and satisfying sauce.

Ingredients for Penne Pasta with Alfredo Sauce 

Make restaurant-quality penne alfredo recipes at home with a few staple ingredients. The basics include penne pasta, butter, garlic, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese.

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Ingredients for Penne Pasta with Alfredo Sauce 

• Penne pasta (16 oz/500g dried or fresh)

• Butter (3-4 tbsp): Adds rich flavor and helps thin out the sauce. Use unsalted butter.

• Garlic (2-3 cloves): Fresh minced garlic enhances the sauce’s flavor.

• Heavy cream (1 cup/250ml): Choose cream with at least 36% milk fat.

• Parmesan cheese (1 cup finely grated): Use real parmesan for best results.

• Salt and pepper: Season to taste with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper.

You can customize it too. Add veggies like broccoli or spinach. Include protein like chicken or shrimp (1 lb cooked). For vegan penne pasta with alfredo sauce, swap the butter for vegan butter or olive oil and heavy cream for coconut milk. Replace parmesan with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese.

Keep in mind that Fresher is better for garlic. Look for real parmesan, not pre-grated. High-fat cream gives the creamiest results. Follow this guide to make a satisfying penne alfredo at home for any diet.

Step-by-Step Instructions

With just a few basic ingredients, you can easily make this classic comfort dish yourself. Whether cooking for a date night in or feeding a hungry crowd, freshly prepared penne Alfredo is sure to satisfy. 

Follow these detailed step-by-step instructions and you’ll impress everyone with your homemade cooking skills.

1) Cooking the Pasta

• Gather your main ingredients – penne pasta, water and salt. You’ll need about 16 ounces of dried penne or an equivalent amount of fresh. 
• Bring a large pot filled with water to a rolling boil over high heat. This is key for an easy penne pasta with alfredo sauce – the water needs to be boiling vigorously before adding the pasta.
• Once boiling, carefully pour in the penne and quickly stir to prevent sticking. Cook for the recommended time on the package, usually around 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
• To check for doneness, taste a piece of pasta – it should be slightly firm but not crunchy. This is called al dente. 
• When ready, drain the pasta well through a colander and briefly rinse with cool water if desired. This stops the cooking so you can add sauce later without overcooking.

2) Making the Creamy Alfredo Sauce

• Now it’s time to create the rich, velvety sauce. Melt 3-4 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Allow it to bubble for a minute without browning. 
• Then stir in 2-3 cloves of finely minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant but not browned. 
• Slowly pour in 1 cup of heavy cream while whisking continuously to incorporate. Allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer; you want tiny bubbles around the edges but not a full rolling boil. 
• Next, gradually sprinkle in 1 cup of finely grated Parmesan cheese and keep stirring until fully melted and combined into a smooth sauce. Let it thicken slightly by continuing to simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring often. 
• Taste and season with salt and pepper to preference. For an extra rich sauce, you can simmer a few minutes more until it reaches your desired consistency.

3) Combine Pasta and Sauce

• When the creamy Alfredo sauce is ready, make sure to toss the hot, freshly drained pasta directly into the warm saucepan. This helps the sauce coat the pasta fully. 
• Use tongs or two forks to gently mix everything together until the penne is evenly covered in the thick, cheesy creaminess. 
• For extra nutrients and flavor, feel free to add blanched vegetables like broccoli florets or spinach leaves at this stage, transforming it into a delicious penne pasta with chicken alfredo. Continue tossing and coating until the veggies are warmed through.

4) Serve and Enjoy!

• Transfer the combined penne Alfredo mixture onto heated serving plates or a large bowl. 
• For an extra decadent touch, garnish portions with a sprinkle of extra grated Parmesan cheese before serving. 
• Be sure to dig in right away while the pasta is piping hot. Homemade penne Alfredo is best enjoyed fresh, so call everyone to the table!

Tips for Perfecting the Dish

• Use fresh minced garlic over jarred for better taste.
• Choose real Parmesan cheese for the best melting texture.
• Aim for al dente pasta- it finishes cooking in the hot sauce.
• Adjust consistency by adding pasta water or more cream if needed.
• For extra flavor add parsley, basil or nutmeg to the sauce.
• Cook chicken or shrimp separately and gently mix in before serving.

Following these step-by-step instructions will help you prepare comforting homemade penne Alfredo anytime. 

Feel free to experiment with different ingredients until you find your ideal version. Now dig in and enjoy your creamy penne pasta with alfredo sauce creation!

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Variations of Penne Pasta Alfredo

Get creative adding proteins or veggies. Each variation takes just minutes to prepare for a satisfying meal.

• Penne pasta recipes with chicken and alfredo sauce: Cook chicken breast in olive oil until no pink remains. Set aside. Make alfredo sauce as usual. Add cooked penne and chicken, tossing to coat. Top with parmesan.
• Penne pasta with shrimp and alfredo sauce:  Sauté shrimp in butter for 2-3 minutes per side until pink. Prepare sauce. Toss in pasta and shrimp, garnishing with parsley.
• Penne Pasta with Broccoli Alfredo: Blanch broccoli florets for 2 minutes in boiling water until bright green. Drain. Make sauce. Fold in pasta and broccoli once the sauce is ready.
• Penne Pasta with Spinach Alfredo: Sauté fresh spinach in olive oil until wilted, about 2 minutes. Heat pasta and sauce as normal, then stir in wilted spinach.

Feel free to combine proteins and veggies too. Also consider adding mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes or herbs. 

Adjust ingredients to suit your tastes. With these flavorful variations, penne alfredo is easy to customize into a meal everyone will love.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

When serving up this richness, some accompaniments are sure to make it an even more satisfying dining experience. Let’s explore some classic combos and understated additions in depth.

Buttery Garlic Bread

You really can’t go wrong with garlic bread’s simplicity. I like to make a thick loaf, cutting it on a diagonal and brushing each surface generously with garlic-infused butter until thoroughly coated. 

Bake until the exterior is crisp while the inside remains soft. It provides the perfect vehicle for soaking up every last drop of luxurious sauce!

Crisp Caesar Salad

For a contrasting texture that also incorporates some of the dish’s key flavors, a fresh Caesar salad is unbeatable. I like to use crisp romaine hearts and tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces. 

Then it’s time for the classic dressing – mixing an egg yolk, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic and parmigiano reggiano cheese together before slowly streaming in extra virgin olive oil. 

Toss the dressed greens with croutons for just the right crunch,then garnish with extra shavings of parmigiano reggiano. The acidity of the dressing cuts through the creaminess beautifully.

Steamed Veggie Medley

For those wanting some color and nutrients on the plate without overpowering the pasta, blanching or steaming an assortment of seasonal veggies is a lovely light side. 

I often go with tender asparagus spears, sugar snap or snow peas, and cherry tomatoes all steamed together until just tender. A flavored butter or light vinaigrette for dipping ensures they take center stage without distracting from the star attraction.

A Glass of Wine

To complete the fully immersive experience, wine opens up a whole world of complementing flavors. Both a layered Chardonnay and brighter Pinot Grigio lift and accentuate the dish’s notes in their own elegant ways. 

Or consider an approachable red varietal for balanced complexity. However you prefer to accompany the indulgence, a nice vino creates a true feast for both eyes and palate!

Together these pairings offer balance while letting the comfort food shine. Your guests are sure to find their perfect complement!

Take Your Penne Alfredo to the Next Level

In this Article, we shared everything needed to make basic penne pasta Alfredo, plus plenty of tips to customize it. You now have the tools to create this classic comfort food with ease at home. Whether keeping it traditional or switching it up with proteins and veggies, the creamy simplicity is sure to please.

We covered selecting quality ingredients, step-by-step cooking instructions, and ways to complement the dish with sides and drinks. A range of delicious variations were also featured from chicken to shrimp to broccoli.

Now it’s your turn to step up to the stove and whip up a batch. Feel free to experiment – add your own creative touches. I hope the easy techniques and recipes in this article have inspired you to explore penne Alfredo’s possibilities. 

And please share photos of your finished masterpieces online! Wishing you an enjoyable homemade meal and newfound pasta-making skills.

FAQs about Penne Pasta with Alfredo Sauce

One of the joys of penne Alfredo is how easy it is to create – yet still have flexibility. Here are answers to common pasta pre-dinner ponderings: