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Close-up of creamy pasta with fresh tomatoes, parsley, and Parmesan, an easy Christmas pasta for weeknight dinner.

Easy Christmas Pasta for Weeknights

This festive fettuccine combines a creamy Parmesan sauce, vibrant tomatoes, and fresh herbs for a comforting yet colorful Christmas dinner. It’s easy enough for a weeknight and beautiful enough for the holiday table.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Holiday, Italian-Inspired
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 0.75 pound dry fettuccine noodles
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1 medium shallot, finely minced
  • 1–2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 large Roma tomato, seeded and diced
  • 0.25 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • kosher salt, to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • minced fresh parsley, for serving
  • torn fresh basil leaves, for serving

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • Tongs
  • Whisk
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add fettuccine and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced shallot and garlic. Sauté 3–5 minutes until soft and translucent.
  3. Stir in diced tomato and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Pour in broth and deglaze pan, simmering until reduced by half.
  4. Reduce heat to low. Add butter and cream, whisking until butter is fully melted and sauce is smooth.
  5. Gradually whisk in Parmesan cheese until fully melted. Season with salt and pepper. Add pasta water to thin if needed.
  6. Add cooked fettuccine to the sauce. Toss with tongs until evenly coated. Serve hot with extra Parmesan, parsley, and basil.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed. Add red pepper flakes for a spicy version or toss in sautéed mushrooms and spinach for extra vegetables.