Pasta with cream sauce, home recipe
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a classic, comforting dish of pasta coated in a rich, velvety cream sauce, likely a home-style Alfredo or carbonara variant. The texture is smooth and luscious, with the sauce clinging to each strand or tube, delivering a savory, buttery flavor. Nutritionally, it's a moderate-calorie option per 100g, with a good balance of carbohydrates for energy and a notable fat content from the cream.
💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its rich, indulgent creaminess that feels like a warm hug, and its incredible versatility—it can be a simple weeknight dinner or a base for countless variations with herbs, spices, or proteins.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high fat and refined carb content can lead to blood-sugar spikes and may not suit low-fat or low-carb diets. To counteract, pair it with a large side of steamed vegetables or a lean protein like grilled chicken to slow digestion, and practice portion control by serving a smaller pasta portion with extra sauce and veggies.
Key benefits
- Provides a good source of quick energy from carbohydrates.
- Contains protein to support muscle maintenance.
- Offers dietary fat for satiety and nutrient absorption.
- Simple, home-style preparation can be tailored for freshness.
- Can be a comforting, satisfying meal in moderate portions.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The classic Alfredo sauce was originally just butter and Parmesan cheese, with cream being a later, more Americanized addition that made the sauce richer and more stable for home cooks.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 70.4 g |
| Energy | 154 kcal |
| Protein | 4.0 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 7.7 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 16.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.90 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.72 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 35.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.68 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 11.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 54.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 42.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 266 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.40 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.06 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 15.0 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.10 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.15 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.11 mg |
| Niacin | 0.89 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.03 mg |
| Folate, total | 39.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 34.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 4.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 63.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 6.4 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.03 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 66.0 ug |
| Retinol | 66.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 3.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 4.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.18 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.30 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.60 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 4.2 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.15 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.12 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.18 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.21 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.68 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.0 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.66 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 1.6 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.12 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 1.6 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.47 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.33 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 21.0 mg |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
Is this pasta dish high in calories?
At 154 kcal per 100g, it's moderate, but portion size matters. A typical serving of 200-250g would be around 300-385 kcal, which is reasonable for a main meal, especially if balanced with vegetables.
Can I make this sauce lighter?
Yes, you can substitute part of the cream with milk or Greek yogurt, or use a roux-based sauce with less fat. Adding pureed cauliflower or white beans to the sauce can also boost fiber and reduce calories while maintaining creaminess.
Is this suitable for people with lactose intolerance?
Traditional cream sauce contains dairy, which can be problematic. You can use lactose-free cream or milk, or make a vegan version with cashew cream or coconut cream to avoid lactose.