Sweet Potato Alfredo
This quick and easy Sweet Potato Alfredo is a tasty twist on a comfort food classic!
Recipe yields 4 small side-dish sized servings or 2 large main-dish sized portions.
Ingredients
- 8 oz dry fettuccine noodles
- 1 medium sweet potato approx. 1/2 cup pureed
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 TBSP butter
- 1 clove garlic mashed and minced to 1/2 tsp
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp chopped parsley basil or spinach are great too!
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2-4 TBSP freshly grated Parmesan for topping
- salt and pepper to taste
EXTRAS:
- 1.5 tsp cajun seasoning blend or to taste (optional but delish!)
Instructions
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Cook pasta al-dente via package instructions.
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While the pasta boils, microwave your sweet potato for until fluffy and soft, approx. 7-8 minutes.
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For a super smooth sauce, break out your food processor or blender. Add your sweet potato along with 1/4 cup whole milk (from your 1 cup) until smooth.
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Heat butter and garlic in the microwave for 20 seconds to infuse the flavor, add to your puree and pulse.
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Drain pasta and return to pot, switching burner to medium heat.
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Immediately add the remaining 3/4 cup of milk along with salt and garlic powder to the pasta and stir constantly.
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Add sweet potato puree and parmesan cheese and continue stirring constantly until the sauce starts to thicken. This usually takes 5-10 minutes.
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The end result is a sauce that's super thick, creamy, and full of flavor!
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Give it a taste, and season to taste as needed. Sometimes I add a little salt and pepper, other times more garlic, and occasionally a little extra butter when I'm feeling saucy!
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Lastly, add your lemon juice. I always save it for for the end. Some people skip the lemon juice because it changes the texture of the sauce a little bit but in my opinion the flavor more than makes up for the visual difference. Try it before adding the lemon and then add to taste if desired. 2 tsp was perfect for Paul and I and left a nice lemony note to the sauce.
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Serve immediately topped with a sprinkle of parsley and finely grated Parmesan or Romano cheese.
Recipe Notes
If you feel like you'd like the sauce a little thinner, snag a little extra milk to add to the sauce. Start with a TBSP and work your way up. You can also thin it with a little melted butter if desired, delicious!
For a feisty burst of flavor, snag some cajun seasoning to add to your sauce! Add anywhere between 1/2 and 1 + 1/2 tsp of cajun seasoning blend. We make this sauce cajun style when adding roasted chicken or sautéed shrimp to the pasta. It's SO GOOD!
Just before serving, I crumbled a little goat cheese on top of my pasta out of sheer curiosity. I LOVED it! Feel free to follow suit. I served my pasta on a bed of fresh arugula. Wilted spinach would make a great addition to round out the meal if you're feeling a bit more conventional, lol! Either way, I hope you love this pasta as much as we do!
Nutrition Facts below are estimated using an online recipe nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed and enjoy!