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Features : Recipes: Pasta

Creamy Rich Alfredo Sauce

by Lee Hansen, publisher/editor Pastiche Family Portal

This creamy chef-style sauce is definitely NOT for the weightwatcher in your family. Its high fat content means a high cholesterol level so we don't eat this dish every night, but the sauce is so rich and yummy, just make it as a special treat for guests or special dinners. (For low-fat versions, see Variations)

Ingredients

1/4 pound (1 stick) butter or margarine
2-3 cloves of crushed garlic
½ to ¾ pint cream or half-and-half
1 to 1-½ c grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp. ground mustard
Salt & Pepper

Over low heat, gently saute garlic in the butter until translucent. Add the cream, dry mustard, and Parmesan cheese, stirring gently. Continue stirring until cheese is completely melted and sauce reaches desired thickness. Add any pre-cooked bite-sized "extras" you desire, such as cooked vegetables, chicken, or seafood.

Add salt and pepper according to taste. Remove from heat and serve over hot fettucine noodles or any available pasta.

This sauce is especially delicious tossed with al dente spinach fettucine or bow-tie noodles garnished with parsley!

Variations

1. Pasta Primavera Alfredo: Fold in 2 cups steamed bite-size vegetables just before serving.
2. Cheesy Potato Chowder: After sauce thickens, add 2 cups cubed, cooked potatoes, 1-2 cups milk, and a handful of finely snipped chives for a delicious and hearty cold-weather soup. Heat to simmering and serve with a garnish of herbs and yogurt.
3. Reduced Cholesterol: Substitute olive-oil-based margarine (without trans fats) for the butter. Substitute fat-reduced Parmesan cheese for the regular Parmesan, or use a soy-based low-fat cheese substitute. Substitute evaporated milk (skim or regular style) or plain non-fat yogurt for the cream or half-and-half.

Lee Hansen is the editor of Pastiche Family Portal, a free family topics web site devoted to family life and activities. Pastiche Family Portal offers an ever-growing collection of recipes, articles, crafts, holiday ideas, freebies, shopping, coupons, and tips for creative family living.