So, here’s the thing. There are low-calorie recipes out there for fettuccine alfredo. They’ll tell you to use 1% milk. They’ll tell you to use alternative noodles. They’ll have you using alternative cheeses in some cases. And that’s fine if you want great results as soon as possible. Over here, we are trying to get a very similar taste with slightly less calories and fat. All of the little cutbacks add up without making food that just doesn’t taste right. Also, the other goal of this blog is to maximize the experience of budget living in the San Diego area. We won’t be using expensive ingredients. Use what you have. Hell, you can get a lot of this at Dollar Tree.

That said, let’s get started.

The Ingredients  

• 1 1/2 Tablespoons of butter
• 1 Garlic clove finely diced or 1 teaspoon of jarred minced garlic or 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 Tablespoon of flour
• 1 Cup of chicken broth or vegetable broth
• 1 Cup half and half
• 3/4 Cup high-quality parmesan cheese grated or shaved (best if you grate it yourself)
• 1/4 – 1/2 Teaspoon salt
• 1/4 Teaspoon pepper
• Italian Parsley diced is optional as garnish
• 9 – 12 oz package of Fettuccine noodles or whatever noodles you have

1. Start cooking your noodles in salted, boiling water according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside if it’s done before the sauce.
2. To make the sauce in a skillet, over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in your diced garlic and let it simmer for 1 minute.
3. Add the flour, salt, and pepper to the melted butter. Add garlic powder if you didn’t have the diced garlic. Mix into a paste. The flour and butter will thicken your sauce and should help keep the dairy from curdling.
4. Turn heat down to medium-low. Slowly stir in the half-and-half. Whisk until smooth.
5. Stir in your parmesan cheese.
6. Stir in your broth.
7. Simmer on low heat and let thicken. This should only take a couple of minutes. Taste and add more seasoning, if needed.
8. Toss fettuccine with alfredo sauce. Top with parsley and parmesan cheese, if you’re feeling fancy.

Congratulations, you just made a slightly skinny alfredo! I like to add chicken and have broccoli as a side for nutritional balance. Do whatever feels right for you!