With some easy swaps, skinny fettuccine alfredo is still full of creamy, garlicky, cheesy flavor but without all of the calories of a traditional alfredo sauce.

Here’s the thing about this time of year, we know we should be eating lighter and healthier after all the the holiday indulgences, but it’s also January, so it’s cold and the days are much too short.  Which, if you’re anything like me, makes you crave cozy, hearty comfort food.  

The big question is, how do you balance the need to eat healthier, while still satisfying those comfort food cravings?  One answer is to lighten up some of your favorites, which is just what I’ve done with fettuccine alfredo, because who doesn’t love a big plate of pasta on a cold, dark winter evening.

Traditional fettuccine alfredo has lots of cream and butter which doesn’t exactly qualify it as a healthier meal. But it is oh so creamy and delicious.  

This skinny fettuccine alfredo has all the creaminess of traditional alfredo sauce, but with a few easy swaps, it has much fewer calories without sacrificing flavor. It’s also really quick and easy to make, so it’s perfect for any time you’re craving a big plate of pasta.

The first thing I swapped out was the heavy cream.  In it’s place I used a combination of whole milk and chicken stock.  The whole milk still adds a richness and the chicken stock adds to the depth of flavor, while still keeping things light.  

I still used butter, but only 2 tablespoons to sauté the garlic and add some further richness to the dish.  To make sure the sauce had the same creaminess as traditional, I added a little bit of cream cheese and, of course, enough parmesan cheese to give it that delicious cheesy flavor.

Skinny fettuccine alfredo is also a flexible dish.  Feel free to stir in cooked chicken or shrimp to bump up the protein.  With this recipe, I’d use about 8 ounces of either protein.  

If you’re looking to reduce your carbs, use zucchini or sweet potato noodles.  It will be just as hearty and comforting.

Want to elevate skinny fettucine alfredo into a special date night meal?

With a few other easy recipes, along with this creamy good pasta, you can create a wonderful date night meal or even a double date with another couple.

Here’s the recipes I use to create that special evening:

•  Cranberry Vodka Spritzer 
• Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates
• Steakhouse Wedge Salad with a Twist
• Chocolate Bundt Cake with Hot Fudge

ENJOY!

 

This recipe was originally posted on 01/11/2017. It was updated to improve user experience and reposted on 02/09/2021