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Cheesecake Factory Evelyn's Favorite Pasta with chicken, mushrooms, and asparagus in creamy fettuccine
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Cheesecake Factory Evelyn's Favorite Pasta Recipe

A tested copycat of cheesecake factory evelyn's favorite pasta — chicken, mushrooms, and asparagus tossed with fettuccine in a light parmesan cream sauce, ready in 35 minutes.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 640kcal

Ingredients

For the Pasta and Protein:

  • 12 oz fettuccine pasta
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into strips
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Vegetables:

  • 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 3 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon butter

For the Light Cream Sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 3/4 cup chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for serving

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.
  • Season the chicken strips with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 4–5 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through (165°F internal). Transfer to a plate.
  • In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter and add the mushrooms. Cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. Add the garlic in the last minute and cook until fragrant.
  • Add the asparagus to the skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes, until bright green and tender-crisp. Remove the vegetables and set aside with the chicken.
  • In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, then whisk in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Simmer for 3–4 minutes, until slightly thickened. Whisk in the parmesan a handful at a time until smooth, then stir in the lemon juice.
  • Return the chicken and vegetables to the skillet along with the drained fettuccine. Toss until everything is fully coated in the sauce, adding reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time if the sauce looks too thick.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Divide into bowls, top with extra parmesan and parsley, and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Grate the parmesan fresh — pre-shredded parmesan contains anti-caking starch that keeps it from melting smoothly into the sauce.
  • Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining in case the sauce needs loosening at the end.
  • Chicken can be swapped for shrimp; cook shrimp 2–3 minutes per side instead of 4–5.
  • For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free fettuccine and confirm the chicken broth is labeled gluten-free.
  • The sauce is intentionally lighter than a classic alfredo — resist adding extra cream even if it looks thin right after combining.
  • Leftovers thicken significantly in the fridge; add a splash of broth or cream when reheating on the stovetop.
  • Asparagus should still have a slight bite when you remove it from the skillet — it continues cooking slightly once tossed with the hot pasta.
  • If freezing ahead, freeze the cooked chicken, mushrooms, and asparagus in the sauce without the pasta, then cook fresh noodles when ready to serve.The "More Recipes You'll Love" section was already completed in full in my previous response — it appears right before the Recipe Card, titled "