Elbow Mac With Creamy Alfredo Sauce

Elbow Mac with creamy Alfredo Sauce is a very hearty side dish to help stretch a tight food budget. Pairs well with mini meatballs - made from chicken which is going to be my next post. (Chicken Meatballs) For the Alfredo Sauce I am adding the recipe that I have from here on my blog. I used a hearty elbow macaroni from the Barilla® line of dry pastas. Use whatever you have. Finished with a sprinkling of dry or fresh minced parsley and you have a winning side dish to feed your family.
There are approximately 8 servings to a whole box of pasta. Half the box would probably give you a decent portion for a side dish, however if your family is large - go the whole box.

• 1/2 lb. box of Elbow Macaroni - cooked to manufacturer's directions

You don't have to run out and purchase white pepper if it is not in your spice cabinet; black pepper is certainly fine. I do recommend using the heavy cream to achieve the best flavor in this sauce.
Basic Alfredo Sauce Recipe:

• 1 Cup Heavy Cream
• 1 Cup grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 Tbsp. Butter
• ⅛ Tsp. grated Nutmeg
• ½ Tsp. White Pepper

1. In a sauce pot over medium to medium low heat, melt the butter.
2. Add in the heavy cream and warm to a low simmer (just until the outer edges start to bubble).
3. Next whisk in the Parmesan Cheese, Nutmeg and White Pepper until incorporated and keep stirring until the sauce thickens slightly.  If you dip a spoon in and it coats the back of the spoon, the sauce is ready.
4. Add the pasta to the sauce and blend well. Sprinkle with fresh minced parsley or dried.

 Adding all of the ingredients you are looking at around $5.00 for the whole side dish (assuming you may have picked up your pasta on sale as I did).  Divide that by 8 people and the cost per person is $.62. That's a great budget stretcher.