How to Make Jar Alfredo Sauce Better

How to Make Jar Alfredo Sauce Better – best tips to make jar Alfredo sauce taste like it’s not from a jar for a quick and easy any night meal! 

Friends, it’s not hard to improve the taste of that jar of Alfredo sauce. That jarred sauce 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.

Jar sauce is an easy way to get a delicious dinner on the table quickly.

Adding fresh mushrooms is my personal favorite but there are lots of other simple ingredient options.

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 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

WINE, STOCK 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:

Find my homemade Alfredo sauce recipe in this One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta.

It’s a simple recipe with a rich sauce, but does take a bit more time than jar sauce.

When you make homemade Alfredo sauce, here are a few tips to avoid it becoming 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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