Fast & Easy, Lite & Creamy Garlic Alfredo

This is one of our favorite recipes and I want to share it with you!  You will never guess at how many fewer calories and less fat is in it by the taste.  It's amazing and fast!

If you have looked at my recipes online one of the things you will notice is that speed with flavor are things that value highly.  I don't put a recipe on my blog unless I it passes my standards and, as my husband will tell you, I am pretty picky.  I hate a disappointing meal and I don't have time to make a drawn out menu more than a couple of times a month.  I post what we love, and usually that means it's fast and easy too.  This is our variation of America's Test Kitchen's "Light Alfredo."  I love their recipes and cookbooks!  If you have a chance, I would definitely recommend trying one out.

About Parmesans, they are not all created equal.  I learned this the hard way making traditional Alfredo.  Unfortunately, I have not found a good domestic Parmesan that achieves the same creamy results of their imported cousins.   I have not had good luck with Parmesan's that aren't pre-shredded, either.  They have been grainy and less flavorful.  If you know of one that you think is good, please let me know.  The Parmesan at Aldi is good, when you can get it.  (Which means that Trader Joes would have something similar and good.)  They only have one kind at Aldi.  Sam's Club carries "Argitoni" Parmesan that is also good.  I have only had rotten luck at Publix, Kroger, and WalMart, but there are probably great ones there as well.  I certainly haven't tried everything.  Also, don't try to use the powdered Parmesan stuff that says grated.  If it's not refrigerated you don't want it.

FYI:  Half and half is made of a 1:1 ratio of skim milk to cream and can usually be substituted for cream in most cooking recipes to lighten them up.  You cannot whip it into a topping though.  This has been useful to me, so I am passing it along.

Ingredients:
1.5 c. half and half (divided)
1/4 tsp of nutmeg
1 clove of garlic
1/2 tsp of salt and 1 T of salt
1 T cornstarch
2 c. grated Parmesan cheese (4oz.)
1 lb of a pasta of your choice

Cook your noodles as your package or recipe requires with 1T salt.  Reserve 1 cup of the water before draining the noodles.

While the noodles are cooking:
In a small sauce pan bring to simmer 1c of half and half, with 1/4tsp of nutmeg, 1/2tsp of salt, and 1 clove of gralic.  In a cup stir together 1/2c of half and half and 1T of cornstarch.  Whisk the half and half and cornstarch mixture into the simmering half and half mixture on the stove.  Cook for about 1 minute until it is thickened.  Remove from heat.

Toss the grated Pamesan in the cooked noodles and add that cream sauce.  Stir until it is blended.  If it seems a bit thick use some of the reserved noodle water to bring it to your desired thickness.

You are done!

We like it served over fresh spinach or with steamed broccoli.  It is wonderful with thinly slice pan seared chicken breasts or sirloin fanned over the top.  It can be a fast and impressive presentation dish.  My 11yo son likes to cook the Alfredo while I do the meat.  Everything's on the table in 20 minutes and there are hardly any leftovers because we four love it so much!  I hope you enjoy it as well!

Here are link parties I love and have linked this on!

Comments

  1. I adore a good alfredo, but they're hard to come by. Forget the jarred sauces, YUCK! Aldi is awesome! I didn't believe hubby last week when he said they were out of parmesan. Hehe I guess I need to tell him I believe him now! I am saving this recipe so I can eat so yummy alfredo too!

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    1. Thanks, Heather! Glad to help your husband save face! Hahaha! I hope you enjoy the Alfredo as much as we do! :o)

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  2. can't wait to try this - I have some spaghetti squash- think I will use it with your sauce recipe

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  3. I love your pasta recipe!

    Coming from Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop. Visit my blog and say Hi!

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  4. Hey Friend! You are such a good cook! If you had amazon drone to deliver in 20 minutes I order it! Im excited to read all the Friday Frenzy Crafts this weekend! See ya and Have Happy Valentines Day

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    1. Thanks Maria! If you ever want to come to GA, I will feed you right! Hahaha!

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  5. Hi! Stopping by from Eat. Create. Party! I love all things pasta and this looks great, can't wait to give it a try! ~ Angela from LeMoine Family Kitchen

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  6. The last time I tried to make Alfredo sauce, I ended up with a curdled mess. Don't know what I did wrong, but your recipe looks really good.

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    1. It could have been your cheese or that your cream had gone bad. Try my recipe and see how it goes.

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  7. Sounds delicious and I love that it's lite! Thank you for linking up at Tasty Tuesdays! Your post has been pinned to my Recipes from Tasty Tuesday board. I can't wait to see what you link up next week!
    Have a terrific weekend!
    Cathy
    APeekIntoMyParadise.com
    #TastyTuesdays

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    1. Me too Cathy! I don't like lite things unless they taste as rich as their full fat version and this one does a wonderful job! Thanks for checking it out and cohosting Tasty Tuesday! :o)

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  8. Thank you for linking up to Tasty Tuesdays last week. I wanted to drop by and let you know that I will be featuring your recipe this week on Tasty Tuesdays on my site, Detours in Life! Congrats!

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    1. Thank you Alecia! I will be sure to share it! :o)

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  9. Thank you for the link to the United State Maps. I have wanted to do some small fabric pictures for my daughter and son in law for next Christmas. But couldn't find a good site to copy from. You made my day.

    Also thank you for the pasta recipe which originally brought me to your page from a Sew and Sew link. It is delicious. Especially with BBQ pork cutlets.

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    1. I am glad to have made your day! :o) Your pasta and bbq combination sounds amazing! What a great idea!

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  10. Hi Charlie, Pinning this to my easy weeknight meals board. My daughter only eats white sauce I need to make it homemade more often. I love tossing in mushrooms to sneak in veggies for her. Thanks for sharing @DearCreatives Inspiration Spotlight and My Favorite Things Parties! Theresa PS. Hope your having a great week!!

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    1. Thanks Theresa! I love mushrooms too. I hope your daughter enjoys the sauce. It's so easy to make! Have a wonderful weekend! :o)

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  11. Hi! I'm visiting from Turn It Up Tuesday. I'm on the lookout for an alfredo recipe for my husband. I think I just found it. I'm pinning it.

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  12. Oh this sounds sooooooooo good. I will definitely make this one. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me.

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  13. I am definitely going to try this. Sounds so good. :)

    Pinned.

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