The Original Fettuccine Alfredo Only Has 3 Ingredients — and None Are Cream

Born in Rome as a simple dish of fresh pasta, butter, and Parmigiano-Reggiano for Alfredo Di Lelio’s recovering wife, fettuccine Alfredo transformed in America into the rich, cream-heavy version we know today. Here’s how the original recipe got lost — and why it’s time to bring it back.