Rich & Creamy Spaghetti Alfredo
Easy & Delicious Creamy Spaghetti Recipe, Perfect for Weekday Dinners or Special Occasions
Whip up a delightful creamy spaghetti for lunch or dinner with this easy-to-follow recipe. While we use a store-bought sauce as a base, we’ll enhance it with a few simple ingredients for a richer, more flavorful dish. From perfectly cooking the pasta to sautéing aromatics and combining everything, these detailed steps will guide even beginner cooks to success.
Main Ingredients
- 1 package (approx. 200-250g) store-bought Cream Pasta Sauce
- 1 serving (approx. 80-100g) Spaghetti pasta
- 3 cloves fresh Garlic
- Pinch of Black Pepper (freshly ground is recommended for enhanced aroma)
- 1/4 Red Bell Pepper (or any color you prefer)
- 2 slices Bacon
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Hello everyone! Today, I’ll show you how to easily make a wonderfully creamy and savory spaghetti that everyone loves, right in your own kitchen. We’ll use a convenient store-bought sauce as a starting point, but by adding just a few extra ingredients, we can elevate the flavor to be much richer and more satisfying. This dish is perfect for celebrating special moments or simply adding a touch of elegance to your everyday meals!
Step 2
First, let’s prepare our aromatics and additions. Thinly slice the 3 cloves of garlic. Slicing them thinly allows their flavor to infuse beautifully into the oil. Julienne the red bell pepper by removing the seeds and cutting it into thin strips. Cut the 2 slices of bacon into bite-sized pieces, about 1-2 cm wide. Heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the sliced garlic and sauté slowly until it becomes fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic! Once the garlic is ready, add the julienned red bell pepper and the chopped bacon to the pan. Sauté everything together until the bacon is nicely browned and the bell pepper is slightly tender. Sautéing these ingredients first builds a wonderful foundation of flavor for your pasta.
Step 3
While the ingredients are sautéing, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a pinch of salt. Once boiling, add your spaghetti and cook according to package directions, but aim for about 1 minute less than the suggested time (al dente is ideal). Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup (100ml) of the starchy pasta water – this is liquid gold for your sauce! Pour a small amount of the reserved pasta water (start with 2-3 tablespoons) into the pan with the sautéed ingredients. Use your spoon to scrape up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Now, pour in the entire package of store-bought cream pasta sauce. Stir well and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. For an even creamier and richer sauce, stir in 2-3 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk now. Continue to stir gently until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Step 4
With the sauce warming up, it’s time to add the cooked spaghetti directly into the pan. Toss everything together gently, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce. Continue to cook and stir for about another minute, allowing the pasta to absorb some of the sauce’s flavor. If the sauce seems too thick at this point, add a little more of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a beautifully flowing consistency. Finish by freshly grinding a pinch of black pepper over the pasta. Tossing the pasta in the sauce like this helps it meld together perfectly. Keep stirring gently until everything is beautifully combined and glossy.
Step 5
And there you have it! Your delicious, restaurant-quality creamy spaghetti is ready. You’ll notice how much richer and more satisfying it tastes compared to using just the sauce alone. Serve immediately while piping hot. For an extra touch of indulgence, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top. Enjoy this wonderful homemade creamy spaghetti – it’s sure to impress!
