Monday 2 November 2015

Pesto Fettuccine Alfredo

Change up your regular Fettuccine Alfredo simply by making it more "green" with basil and spinach!



I imagine that I'm not even close to alone in loving quick, easy, and delicious pasta meals. Fettuccine Alfredo is one of those classic family meals whipped up in less than 30 minutes for a midweek meal.


But what if we take that delicious classic and add basil and spinach? Total yum is what happens.


You can use any fettuccine or spaghetti pasta here. I like to use a fresh tri-colour fettuccine (egg, tomato, and spinach fettuccine) not only to add some extra goodness to the meal, but also because fresh pasta cooks in just 3 minutes, That means dinner is on the table that much quicker.


I've made this Alfredo a little "lighter" than a traditional recipe by using low fat cream (light evaporated cream would also work great!) and by using strong flavored cheeses, meaning that less needs to be added to get the same great flavor. 


 Pesto Fettuccine Alfredo


Serves 4

300 g chicken breast, diced
1 brown onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 Cup baby spinach leaves, roughly chopped
1-2 Tbsp basil pesto
1 Cup cream (I used lite)
1/2 Cup Cheddar, grated
1/2 Cup Parmesan, grated
400 g Fettuccine (I used fresh, found in the chilled section of the supermarket)

1. Heat a dash of oil in a large fry pan. Fry the chicken, onion, and garlic over a medium-high heat until the chicken is browned all over.

2. Add the cream and pesto and allow the mixture to come to a simmer. Simmer until the chicken is cooked through.

3. While the Alfredo is simmering, cook the fettuccine following the package directions - approximately 3 minutes. Drain and add the cooked fettuccine and cheeses to the cream sauce.

4. Stir in the chopped spinach and mix everything together well. Serve straight from the pan, with extra cheese sprinkled over top.



8 comments:

  1. Simple, elegant, and looking very delicious. I would love a plate of this.

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  2. HISTORY OF ALFREDO DI LELIO CREATOR IN 1908 OF “FETTUCCINE ALL’ALFREDO” (“FETTUCCINE ALFREDO”), NOW SERVED BY HIS NEPHEW INES DI LELIO, AT THE RESTAURANT “IL VERO ALFREDO” – “ALFREDO DI ROMA” IN ROME, PIAZZA AUGUSTO IMPERATORE 30

    With reference of your article I have the pleasure to tell you the history of my grandfather Alfredo Di Lelio, who is the creator of “Fettuccine all’Alfredo” (“Fettuccine Alfredo”) in 1908 in the “trattoria” run by his mother Angelina in Rome, Piazza Rosa (Piazza disappeared in 1910 following the construction of the Galleria Colonna / Sordi). This “trattoria” of Piazza Rosa has become the “birthplace of fettuccine all’Alfredo”.
    More specifically, as is well known to many people who love the “fettuccine all’Alfredo", this famous dish in the world was invented by Alfredo Di Lelio concerned about the lack of appetite of his wife Ines, who was pregnant with my father Armando (born February 26, 1908).
    Alfredo di Lelio opened his restaurant “Alfredo” in 1914 in Rome and in 1943, during the war, he sold the restaurant to others outside his family.
    In 1950 Alfredo Di Lelio decided to reopen with his son Armando his restaurant in Piazza Augusto Imperatore n.30 "Il Vero Alfredo" (“Alfredo di Roma”), whose fame in the world has been strengthened by his nephew Alfredo and that now managed by me, with the famous “gold cutlery” (fork and spoon gold) donated in 1927 by two well-known American actors Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks (in gratitude for the hospitality).
    See also the website of “Il Vero Alfredo”.
    I must clarify that other restaurants "Alfredo" in Rome (as Alfredo alla scrofa or Alfredo’s gallery) do not belong to my brand "Il Vero Alfredo – Alfredo di Roma".
    I inform you that the restaurant “Il Vero Alfredo –Alfredo di Roma” is in the registry of “Historic Shops of Excellence” of the City of Rome Capitale.
    Best regards Ines Di Lelio

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  3. What a lovely pasta dish Nicole! Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Exactly the kind of dish I love, looks delish!

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  5. Great looking pasta, love the cheesy goodness!!

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  6. I do love all that lovely green! Looks delish!

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  7. Sounds amazing!!! My family is going to love this!

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