Super Simple Pasta Alfredo

 

Super Simple Pasta Alfredo

This is such a simple and quick pasta dish and on that I make variations of all the time. Only a few ingredients are needed and in the time it takes to cook the pasta the sauce is ready. The version I am giving here is for an Alfredo style sauce but it can be changed up to go with any meal.

This can also be either a side dish or even a main dish. Think of it as homemade version of the pasta mixes that are on the shelves at the grocery store except it tastes way better. It is also really good with some cooked meat and veggies added for a one dish dinner.

The basic sauce it simply butter, milk, cream cheese and shredded cheese. In this rendition of it I used Parmesan cheese to make it very much like a simple Alfredo, but can change out that cheese and the personality of the dish changes with it.

For example one of my favorites is to add a bit of chopped onion and chopped jalapeno (just cook them in the butter then add the milk) Then I use either a shredded Mexican blend cheese or just some shredded cheddar. Perfect side dish for a Southwest meal.

You could make the recipe with an Italian blend of cheeses (or sub in some Mozzarella for part of the cheese) and add some herbs and you have another side.

You could add some finely chopped broccoli and use cheddar cheese for another option.

The possibilities are almost endless depending on what is on hand.

Since I use all the ingredients that are in this dish a lot they are almost always in my fridge. i almost always have variety of cheeses on hand so I can create a side dish to go with just about any meal with this simple formula.

As for the pasta I used linguine this time, I had wanted to use some fettuccine but my grocery store was completely out the day I shopped. But you could use any pasta shape you have on hand. This is also really good with stuffed pastas like tortellini or ravioli so again use what is on hand.

So let’s talk about the steps to make this.

Start a pan of water to boil for the pasta and cook it according to the instructions on the package. Most of the dry pasta I buy the cook time is right around 10 minutes.

While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter with the milk in a bowl in the microwave. You just need to get it warm enough to melt the butter. If you are adding chopped onion or other add-ins that need to cook go ahead and just melt the butter and cook them in the melted butter about a minute, then add the milk and heat them together.

 

 

 

 

Now stir in the cubed cream cheese and microwave 30 seconds at a time stirring each time until the cream cheese is melted.

 

 

 

 

Now add the shredded cheese and again microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring each time until the cheese melts.

 

 

 

 Add the drained, cooked pasta to the sauce and stir to combine.

 

 

 

You can find a downloadable/printable version of this recipe here.

Super Simple Pasta Alfredo

4 oz dry pasta

¼ cup milk

¼ cup butter

3 oz cream cheese, cubed

1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

 

Cook the pasta according to the package directions.

Pu the milk and butter in a medium size microwave safe bowl and heat until the butter melts.

Add the cubed cream cheese and microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring between each, until the cream cheese melts.

Add the shredded cheese and again microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring between each until cheese is mostly melted.

Add the drained, cooked pasta and stir to combine.

Makes 2 generous servings.