In America, the fettuccine Alfredo is a staple of Italian cuisine. A far cry from the traditional tomato-based sauces ubiquitous in Italian cooking, the Alfredo sauce is a mixture of butter, garlic, and cheese that creates a rich and creamy taste. If you’ve heard of this dish, you may wonder why it includes a man’s name in the title. To answer this question, here’s a brief overview of the history of this pasta sauce.

It All Began With an Upset Stomach

In 1914, Roman restauranteur Alfredo di Lelio's wife had just recently given birth. As is the case with many women, she experienced nausea and found it difficult to keep any food down. Afraid this would interfere with her ability to nurse their new child, Alfredo went to his kitchen and created a new spin on the classic Italian dish “pasta bianco,” or white pasta. The result was the fettuccine Alfredo, which appealed to his wife and quickly found a place in his restaurant. 

Movie Stars Spread the Word

Around 1920, movie stars Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford were spending an idyllic honeymoon in Italy. It was there that they found their way to Alfredo’s restaurant and by chance sampled his namesake dish. Their vocal enthusiasm for his creation brought the dish to other places around the globe, including the U.S.

Alfredo’s restaurant still stands in its original location. It’s a testament to one man’s love for his wife expressed through the universal language of Italian cuisine. 

The Dish Is Not Popular in Italy

Despite its popularity around the world, the dish is far from noteworthy in Italy. In fact, most restaurants fail to even include it on their menus because of a perceived simplicity. That may be why it’s such a hit among diners, however. The fettuccine Alfredo is the very definition of comfort food. When made with fresh, wholesome ingredients, it’s a creamy delight to the taste buds.  

The Pizza Haven believes in creating delicious Italian cuisine using only the freshest ingredients available. Their expansive menu features delicious dishes like the fettuccine Alfredo, garlic linguine, chicken parmesan, ravioli, shrimp scampi, and lasagna. They also host parties and banquets onsite so you and your guests can try delectable Italian cuisine. View their full menu online or call (715) 362-5942 to schedule an event.