Nelson Oliveira and Ryan Mendes netted in the opening 16 minutes to set the Reds on their way to a fourth home win in a row.
Dougie Freedman's side were happy to concede possession after their fast start but continued to make chances and were rarely troubled at the back until Eric Lichaj conceded a penalty in the final 15 minutes which Dorus de Vries saved from former Forest trialist Nicky Maynard.
Josh Murphy then did score to make it a nervous final ten for the home crowd but the majority of the 19,975 went home happy as their side continued their upward progression of recent weeks.
Speaking to the official club website after the game, defender Matt Mills said: "The resilience of the lads was different class.
"We’re really seeing a different type of Nottingham Forest team."