Description
Nancy Meyers’ Christmas Fettuccine is a creamy, comforting pasta dish featuring al dente fettuccine tossed in a rich Parmesan and garlic cream sauce, finished with fresh basil and optional toasted pine nuts for added texture and flavor. Perfect for festive occasions, this recipe balances indulgent creaminess with fresh herbal notes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine pasta
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Garnish
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- Optional: ¼ cup toasted pine nuts
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the fettuccine according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the pasta water for later use.
- Sauté the garlic: In a skillet over medium-low heat, add olive oil and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to brown it.
- Prepare the cream sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet and bring it to a gentle simmer while stirring frequently. Gradually whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is melted, smooth, and creamy.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked fettuccine to the cream sauce, tossing to combine. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time to achieve the desired sauce consistency, making it silky and coating the pasta evenly.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and garnish the fettuccine with chopped fresh basil and toasted pine nuts if using. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Notes
- To toast pine nuts, heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant.
- Reserved pasta water helps loosen the sauce without diluting flavor; add gradually to avoid making it too thin.
- Use high-quality Parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
- This dish is best served fresh but can be gently reheated with a splash of cream or pasta water.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
