Fettuccine Alfredo with Asparagus

Name: Fettuccine Alfredo with Asparagus
Total time: 23 min
Yield: Serves 4 (serving size: about 2 cups)
Ingredients: 8 ounces uncooked fettuccine; 1 teaspoon olive oil; 1 pound fresh asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces; ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, divided; ½ teaspoon black pepper, divided; 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind; 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice; 1 tablespoon butter; 1 tablespoon vodka or water; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 2 ounces 1/3-less-fat cream cheese; ¼ cup fat-free milk; 1 ½ ounces vegetarian Parmesan cheese, grated (about 6 tablespoons); 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

11 Ratings
8 Reviews

The splash of vodka works as a flavor enhancer, adding a little jolt to the creamy sauce.

By Tiffany Vickers Davis

Recipe by Cooking Light September 2014

Gallery

Credit: Colin Clark; Food Styling: Kellie Gerber Kelley; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower

Recipe Summary

hands-on:

23 mins

total:

23 mins

Yield:

Serves 4 (serving size: about 2 cups)

Nutrition Info

Directions

Step 1
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain in a colander over a bowl. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water.

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Step 2
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add asparagus, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; sauté 6 minutes or until crisp-tender. Remove from heat. Add rind and juice; toss. Keep warm.
Step 3
Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add vodka and garlic; cook 1 minute. Add cream cheese, stirring until smooth. Stir in milk, Parmesan cheese, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Stir in reserved pasta water, pasta, and asparagus; toss to coat noodles. Sprinkle with chives.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

365 calories; fat 11.2g; saturated fat 5.9g; mono fat 3.3g; poly fat 0.6g; protein 16g; carbohydrates 50g; fiber 4g; cholesterol 28mg; iron 4mg; sodium 609mg; calcium 212mg.

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Connie

06/27/2016

You won't believe how good this is, even if you don't read the recipe, but one you see that it uses reduced fat cream cheese and fat free milk, you'll be even more amazed. It's easy to make, too.

Meglenn108

04/04/2016

Said my husband. Easy, and good flavor. Did the sauce in the same skillet as asparagus - both to capture the goodies, and because I didn't want another pan to wash. Since it's not a true Alfredo, I wasn't worried that the browned bits might give the sauce a slightly darker color.

Paired it with strips of chicken we grilled in vinaigrette and fresh rosemary, and then a simple salad on the side. Perfect for springtime dining al fresco on the deck.

We'll make this again.

daneanp

12/30/2015

I liked this a lot more than my family did. It wasn't anything super special, but I thought it was easy to prepare and very flavorful for a lower fat alfredo recipe. But unless my teenager gushes over the leftovers, I probably won't make this one again.

Whygal

10/25/2014

This was a great and easy weeknight meal. I did make a few changes to suit our tastes: I grilled the aspargus using a garlic flavored olive oil, fresh fettuccini, added the lemon juice with the pasta and aspargus, and used fresh parsley rather than chives as the garnish. The grilled aspargus added flavor to the sauce and fresh pasta made a world of difference to the finished dish. I usually don't like to make so many changes to a recipe for the first time, but felt that the above changes would improve the overall flavor. I will be making this again and would serve to guests. I made a simple green salad to accompany the pasta.

JStanzak

09/02/2014

Liked this better than typical, rich tasting alfredo. This was flavorful and light.

promogal

08/25/2014

It was all right. Nothing fantastic. Easy. Family thought it was okay--nothing great. Probably won't make it again.

LaurenE2bRD

08/23/2014

Yummy and easy to put together. The texture of the sauce was creamy and no lumps like many of CLs roux based alfredo sauces. The cream cheese does a wonderful job giving this light version a luxurious body and the vodka keeps it fluid to coat the noodles.

ziggy2go

08/21/2014

Not bad / Not awesome... but light. Doesn't taste like alfredo, but without cream didn't really think it would. Easy though, will make again.

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