Fettuccine Alfredo facts for kids
![]() Fettuccine Alfredo topped with shrimp
|
|
Course | Main course |
---|---|
Place of origin | Italy |
Region or state | Rome |
Created by | Alfredo di Lelio |
Serving temperature | Hot |
Main ingredients | Fettuccine Parmesan cheese butter |
Variations | Broccoli, parsley, garlic, chicken, shrimp |
Fettuccine Alfredo is a popular pasta dish. It is made with fettuccine pasta, Parmesan cheese, and butter. This dish is known for its rich and creamy taste.
In Italy, this recipe is very old and simple. It is often called Fettuccine al burro, which means "pasta with butter." The famous Italian restaurant owner Alfredo Di Lelio made his own special version. He added extra butter to the dish.
Alfredo created his recipe in 1908 in Rome. He wanted to make it easier for his pregnant wife, Ines, to eat. In 1914, he started serving his special Fettuccine Alfredo at his own restaurant in Rome. Today, Alfredo Di Lelio's family still serves this dish at their restaurant, "Il Vero Alfredo," in Rome.
American actors Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks visited Alfredo's restaurant in 1927. They enjoyed the dish very much during their honeymoon. When they returned home, they often talked about Fettuccine Alfredo. This helped make the restaurant and the dish very popular with American tourists.
In the United States, people often add other ingredients to Fettuccine Alfredo. These can include broccoli, parsley, cream, garlic, shrimp, or chicken.
Contents
History of Fettuccine Alfredo
Fettuccine Alfredo gets its name from Alfredo di Lelio. He was an Italian restaurant owner in Rome. He ran his restaurant in the first half of the 20th century.
How the Dish Was Created
In 1914, Alfredo's wife was pregnant and found it hard to eat. So, he made a special meal for her. He took a simple dish of pasta and butter, called pasta al burro, and made it richer. He added more butter to make it easier for her to enjoy.
Later, Alfredo added this special dish to the menu at his restaurant. He called his version Fettuccine Alfredo.
Becoming Famous in America
Famous Hollywood celebrities Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks visited Alfredo's restaurant. They ate the dish during their honeymoon. When they went back home, they often spoke about how much they loved the dish. This made the restaurant and Fettuccine Alfredo very popular with American tourists.
Alfredo's Restaurants
In 1943, Alfredo di Lelio sold his first restaurant. However, he kept the right to use his name and menu. In 1950, he opened a new restaurant called "Il Vero Alfredo" in Rome. He worked there until he passed away in 1959.
Today, "Il Vero Alfredo" is run by his nephews, Alfredo and Ines. They still use the famous "gold cutlery" (a gold fork and spoon). These were given to Alfredo in 1927 by Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. It was a thank-you gift for his hospitality.
Fettuccine Alfredo is now very common in Italian-style restaurants around the world. However, in Italy, the dish is not as popular as it is in other countries. Italians usually know it better as "Fettuccine al burro" instead of "Fettuccine Alfredo."
See also
In Spanish: Salsa alfredo para niños