Alfredo sauce, with its contentious origins, is seen by many to be a product of Italian-American fusion. We can confirm, however, that Alfredo’s real roots lie in Italy, as do most of the world’s best-loved pasta dishes... or so we would argue.
The work of Alfredo di Lelio in early twentieth-century Rome, this luxuriously indulgent sauce was originally made for his wife, Ines, when she became pregnant and needed a culinary cure for her nausea. Not only was the sauce a great home success, it also became a much-loved staple of Di Lelio’s restaurant in Rome, mixed in with generous heaps of fresh fettuccine.
Notoriously creamy, our vegan take on this iconic dish is certainly no less luxurious; by blending smooth cashew milk and gently steamed cauliflower, the result is a gloriously indulgent sauce, worth every inch of its status as an Italian classic.
Our Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe
Serves: 3-4
Prep time: 20 minutes (excluding time to make fresh fettuccine)
Cook time: 10 minutes
Nutrition: 556kcal per serving
Ingredients
- a batch of fresh fettuccine made from vegan dough or approx 400g dry vegan fettuccine
- 500g cauliflower heads
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, grated or minced
- 1 onion, diced
- 50g of grated vegan parmesan or 4 tbsp of nutritional yeast (plus extra to serve)
- 2 tbsp of lemon juice
- a tbsp of dried Italian herbs
- 250 ml of cashew milk or other plant based milk
- salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste
Should you need any guidance on how to make fresh vegan pasta, follow along with Head Chef Roberta as she takes you through the process, step by step.
Method
- If making the fettuccine by hand, first follow our step-by-step guide on how to make this easy pasta shape here. If cooking with dry pasta, start from step 2.
- Place the cauliflower in a steamer and cook for around 10 minutes, until it becomes soft. Take off the heat and let it cool.
- While the cauliflower is cooling, heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat and add the diced onion. Fry until it has a soft, caramelised consistency, making sure to keep stirring so as to avoid the onion burning and sticking to the pan. Add the garlic and cook for a few more minutes, until the garlic is golden, but not brown.
- Place the cauliflower in a blender along with the vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast, lemon juice, dried Italian herbs, and milk, as well as the onion and garlic. Blend all of the ingredients until it takes on a luxuriously smooth consistency. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and add the pasta. If cooking from fresh, cook your fettuccine for around 3-4 minutes. Otherwise, follow packet instructions.
- To finish, drain the pasta, ensuring to reserve a little pasta water to add to the sauce.
- Add the fettuccine to the alfredo sauce with a ladle of pasta water and mix well. Serve warm and garnish with freshly cracked black pepper and vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast. Buon appetito, enjoy!
How to serve Fettuccine Alfredo
Fettuccine Alfredo is best enjoyed hot and fresh. The sauce will thicken as it cools, so it's best to serve the pasta as soon as it's ready. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil adds a touch of colour and flavour, while a light green salad makes a perfect side dish to the rich pasta.
Fettuccine Alfredo wine pairing recommendation
Fettuccine Alfredo, with its rich, buttery sauce, demands a wine that can cut through the richness without overpowering the delicate flavours. Our choice would be Vernaccia di San Gimignano – a crisp and refreshing white wine from Tuscany. Vernaccia di San Gimignano boasts bright acidity and notes of citrus, almond, and a touch of minerality. These characteristics will cleanse the palate and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the creamy indulgence of Fettuccine Alfredo.
Indulge in the magic of Venice! Our limited-edition Venetian Carnival menu awaits you, with tantalising dishes like Alfredo Veneziano – our decadent twist on the classic pasta Alfredo, made with buttery Asiago cheese straight from Venice – and exquisite Venetian Style Cod Ravioli. Experience the carnival in-store at one of our restaurants or bring the celebration home with delivery.
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