How to Make Jar Alfredo Sauce Better

How to Make Jar Alfredo Sauce Better – best tips to make jar Alfredo sauce taste like homemade for an easy any night meal! 

Improving the taste of a jar of Alfredo sauce isn’t hard. It already has a creamy texture we crave.

Try adding one to three of any of the ingredients below – choose what you like best – and ones the whole family will enjoy.

They’ll make the whole dish taste even better without changing the basic flavor of the sauce.

Why I love this recipe:

Jar sauce is an easy way and great shortcut to delicious dinner fast.

Adding just a couple of extras, like fresh mushrooms – will give you that homemade – from scratch – taste your looking for.

What is alfredo sauce?

Alfredo is a creamy white sauce without tomatoes made from melted butter, heavy cream and parmesan cheese.

It’s rich flavor is ideal for blending with your favorite pasta.

What brand of sauce should I buy?

There are many jar alfredo sauce options at the grocery store. The choice is yours. If you already have a brand of marinara you like, try their creamy alfredo!

Below are three breads that I’ve tried and liked:

Rao’s – a bit more expensive but the gold standard for jar sauces. A simple sauce, loaded with flavor.

Bertolli – their aged Parmesan version is delicious and budget friendly.

Classico – extra creamy traditional alfredo sauce – perfect for the picky eater – and one they’ll all enjoy.

What to make with a jar of alfredo sauce:

• Easy fettuccine alfredo – just warm the sauce then blend with your favorite style of pasta.
• Use it for dipping breadsticks or garlic-butter pull apart bread.
• Replace your pizza’s red sauce with alfredo.
• Add leftover chicken or shrimp and add to the sauce.
• Make a layered white Chicken Lasagna.
• Blend with zoodles for a healthier option.
• Top these zucchini pizza bites with Alfredo instead of red pizza sauce

How to make jar alfredo sauce better:

Add just a couple of any of these extra ingredients to store-bought alfredo sauce is a game-changer.

You can even blend Alfredo sauce with jar of marinara to create a delicious rosé sauce.

Heavy cream or extra cheese:

For the ultimate creamy alfredo sauce, add one or two of the following ingredients to your jar alfredo sauce:

• a tablespoon or two of real butter to the sauce for extra flavor (or cook garlic and mushrooms in butter!)
• parmesan cheese or romano cheese
• mozzarella cheese for extra cheesiness
• a splash of heavy cream
• full fat or low-fat cream cheese
• parmigiano-reggiano cheese

Herbs and spices:

Dried and fresh herbs add another layer of flavor to a jar of sauce.

Start small – adding 1/2 teaspoon at a time so you don’t overpower the flavor of the Alfredo.

Dry Herbs:

• nutmeg (small pinch – about 1/4 teaspoon adds warmth)
• thyme (earthy, slightly lemony flavor)
• oregano (also gives an earthy flavor but not lemony)
• italian seasoning (a blend of basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme and more – so you won’t need to add other herbs)
• garlic salt or garlic powder
• fresh ground black pepper
• a little bit of crushed red pepper flakes for a some heat (small pinch or to taste)
• Cajun seasoning for a different kind of heat that goes perfectly with creamy Alfredo

Fresh Herbs:

• basil (this herb has a great balance of sweet/savory – delicious aromatic and often used in Italian cooking)
• thyme
• saute fresh minced garlic cloves in olive oil
• roasted garlic

Chicken and other proteins:

Adding meat or seafood to Alfredo sauce adds a heartiness to this pasta dish and ramps up the taste.

Here are some of my favorites. You’ll want to cook each of them before blending with the sauce.

• chicken breast (for chicken alfredo!)
• ground chicken
• shrimp
• salmon

Vegetables:

Adding sauteed or roasted vegetables to this Alfredo sauce gives the dish balance, adds texture and gives it a more robust flavor.

• fresh sliced mushrooms
• sundried tomatoes
• fresh broccoli
• frozen peas
• bell peppers

Adding wine, store and more:

• Add a splash of dry white wine to the skillet before adding the Alfredo sauce for another level of flavor. Simmer to reduce before add Alfredo sauce.
• Chicken stock will add flavor and thin the sauce out a little bit.
• Add Worcestershire sauce for deep flavor.

Homemade Alfredo sauce:

This One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta is my simple recipe with a rich homemade sauce, though it does take a bit more time than jar sauce.

Tips to avoid so your homemade sauce isn’t grainy:

• Use good quality Parmesan cheese.
• Add the cheese gradually to the sauce blending before adding more.
• Use freshly grated cheese!

If your sauce still ends up grainy, use an immersion blender (or regular blender) to bring it to a silky smooth consistency.

What to do with leftovers:

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Add a splash of milk or cream and reheat on the stove or microwave for a quick lunch.

Enjoy!

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