Alfredo Sauce Pasta

Pictured above is a thin Alfredo sauce- on a day I didn't have heavy cream. The second picture is with the cream. I'm always making it up as I go and adjusting it. We doubled the recipe recently when we had 15 people for dinner, and everyone loved it. They cleaned it out!

Alfredo Sauce Pasta

¼ c. olive oil (or 1/8)

¼ c. butter

1/2 onion, minced finely
4 big cloves garlic, minced finely
1/4 c. flour

1/2 pkg cream cheese (4oz) (optional)
1-2 cups whole milk

2 cups heavy cream

1 c. Parmesan cheese

*I put in a pinch or two of these herbs and spices: Italian seasoning, dill, salt, pepper, red chili flakes, turmeric and paprika.

Sauté the first 3 ingredients over low heat for 1/2 hour. Then add the garlic for 3 minutes. Next add the flour mixing in to almost brown. Then completely stir in the cream cheese so there are no lumps. Now whisk in the milk slowly to make sure there are no lumps. Wait for it to thicken. Then add the heavy cream and continue whisking to add in the Parmesan cheese. Bring just to a boil, then reduce to the lowest heat. Keep sauce warm but not boiling or simmering because milk products can burn. Serve immediately over linguine pasta. (I don't always measure- this was the best attempt at trying to write down my recipe). If your pasta is finished first and needs refreshing, pour a cup of super hot water over it in a colander.

*Serve with all sorts of add-ins that you can put into the sauce or serve on the side: shrimp, roasted chicken, sausage, steak, capers, artichoke hearts, vegetables, anything you like really.  Think Olive Garden. 

*This sauce is also great for dipping breadsticks. Just put a little bowl of this sauce and marinara sauce next to each other. 

**This son had zero plans to feed his date two hours before prom, so Pat and I asked Dallas to run to the store (he was home from college and I was busy doing prom hair and Pat started on the salad), and we threw together a steak and shrimp over pasta alfredo meal. Everyone loved it, but man, if anyone ever wonders why I'm resting a lot when I'm older, it's because these kids wore me out! I was happy to help them have a special night though. Charles and Walter were cute waiters.