How did Alfredo sauce become popular?

Fettuccine Alfredo has been around for over 100 years, yet its origins are still shrouded in mystery. The most popular rendition claims Alfredo di Lelio invented it in 1908 in his restaurant, Alfredo alla Scrofa in Rome. Reportedly, Alfredo’s wife, Inés, had just given birth and had lost her appetite, so Alfredo whipped up a simple yet flavorful dish of fettuccine noodles with butter and Parmesan cheese to entice her to eat. His wife loved it, and soon word of the delicious pasta spread. However, food historians have pointed out that Alfredo’s restaurant only opened in 1914 and that a similar pasta dish called “fettuccine al burro” had already been documented in Italian cookbooks as far back as the 15th century. Despite the uncertainty about its origins, Fettuccine Alfredo gained significant popularity in the 20th century, particularly during and after World War II, when American soldiers stationed in Rome fell in love with the rich and creamy pasta dish. They brought the recipe back to the U.S., and it quickly became a mainstay in American Italian cuisine. Today, Alfredo sauce is a beloved culinary staple, enjoyed worldwide.