Pasta with cream sauce, restaurant
Common food
A comforting plate of pasta coated in a rich, velvety cream sauce, offering a luxurious mouthfeel that clings to each strand. It's a calorie-dense, indulgent dish where the high fat content (nearly 14g per 100g) provides a satisfying, savory flavor profile. This restaurant-style version is a classic comfort food, balancing the soft texture of pasta with a smooth, creamy coating.
💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for its decadent, creamy texture and savory, umami-rich flavor that feels like a warm hug. It's a versatile canvas that can be customized with various cheeses, herbs, or proteins, and is deeply rooted in Italian-American comfort food culture.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Its high fat and calorie density can be a concern for those managing weight or cardiovascular health, and the refined carbs can cause a rapid blood-sugar spike. To counteract this, pair it with a large side of fiber-rich vegetables (like roasted broccoli or a green salad) to slow digestion, and practice portion control by serving it as part of a balanced plate rather than the main event.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates
- The fat content aids in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
- Contains small amounts of protein for muscle maintenance
- Can be a comforting, mood-boosting meal
- Offers dietary variety as an occasional indulgence
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The classic Alfredo sauce was originally just butter and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, emulsified with pasta water; the heavy cream version is a later, richer American adaptation.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 65.0 g |
| Energy | 204 kcal |
| Protein | 3.7 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 13.9 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 15.6 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.90 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.67 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 33.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.64 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 10.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 50.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 39.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 577 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.37 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.05 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 13.8 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.10 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.14 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.10 mg |
| Niacin | 0.82 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.03 mg |
| Folate, total | 36.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 32.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 4.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 58.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 5.9 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.03 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 61.0 ug |
| Retinol | 60.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 3.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 3.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.5 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.20 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 7.4 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 4.8 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.14 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.11 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.17 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.20 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.63 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.5 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.81 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.3 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.14 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 4.3 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.06 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 3.1 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.6 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.34 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 | 19.0 mg |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
Is this dish gluten-free?
Traditional pasta is made from wheat flour, so it contains gluten. Gluten-free versions use alternative flours like rice, corn, or legume-based pastas.
Can I make a lighter version at home?
Yes. You can substitute part of the cream with pasta cooking water, use a blend of milk and a small amount of cream, or incorporate puréed cauliflower or white beans for a creamy texture with less fat.
Why is restaurant cream sauce often richer than homemade?
Restaurants frequently use higher ratios of butter and heavy cream, and may add extra cheese or emulsifiers for a more luxurious, consistent texture that maximizes flavor impact.