Simple, delicious, and fantastically cheesy, pasta Alfredo is one of the most revered Italian dishes out there. Folks around the world make this dish for dinner routinely, adding ingredients like shrimp, broccoli, chicken, or steak to complement the rich taste of the sauce. Since there are so many different variations of pasta Alfredo, not everybody knows what it takes to make a truly authentic Italian Alfredo. We’ll give a brief overview of the history of Alfredo, along with what ingredients need to be used to create this scrumptious recipe.
When Was Alfredo Introduced?
When pasta Alfredo was first introduced in 1908, it was in the form of fettuccine Alfredo. The inventor, Alfredo di Lelio, began his cooking journey while working at his family’s restaurant. When Alfredo got married and his wife gave birth to their first child, his wife was going through a difficult time, struggling to get the nutrition she needed to regain her strength. So, as an act of love, Alfredo came up with an easy recipe made with basic ingredients to entice his wife’s appetite and get her back to a healthy state. To his surprise, his wife loved the dish, and soon, the dish became a part of his own restaurant, with the recipe quickly making its way across the world.
What Ingredients Are Needed?
To create a fettuccine Alfredo the way di Lelio intended, all you need is some freshly made semolina dough pasta, butter, parmesan cheese, and a bit of pasta water. Once the pasta is cooked to al dente, you should toss the fettuccine in a mixture of butter and cheese, adding a little bit of pasta water as you go to thicken the sauce to a creamy consistency. As soon as the sauce becomes perfectly creamy, you have an easy yet incredibly delicious meal in front of you! There is no milk or cream necessary – the pasta water will give you the creamy texture you’re looking for.
What Pasta Should Be Used?
As mentioned previously, the first pasta Alfredo recipe was made with fettuccine. To get the most authentic experience, we recommend using this type of pasta. Though it is always amazing to make pasta by hand, boxed pasta will do in a pinch.
Remember, to keep things quintessentially Italian, always cook your pasta al dente. The slightly firm bite mixed with the creamy sauce offers the perfect dining experience – cook the pasta any further, and you’ll be left with a mushy dish that offers slower, more difficult digestion due to the higher glycemic index.
Visit Strega for Italian Inspired Pasta Dishes
Located in the North End of Boston, Strega offers an immaculate dining experience for those who are looking for fresh ingredients and thoughtful, innovative recipes. We are available for lunch and dinner every day, with brunch available on Saturday and Sunday. Make your reservation today!
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