Why Prego Alfredo sauce needs improvement
Prego’s Homestyle Alfredo pasta sauce is a convenient, ready-made alfredo sauce that can be heated up and tossed with pasta. However, many home cooks find that it lacks depth of flavor compared to homemade alfredo sauce. The sauce tends to be thinner than traditional alfredo and it can taste overly processed. Luckily, there are some easy ways to doctor up store-bought alfredo to make it creamier and more flavorful.
Add cream cheese
One of the easiest ways to improve the texture and flavor of jarred alfredo sauce is to stir in cream cheese after heating. The cream cheese will give the sauce a thicker, creamier consistency. For one jar of Prego Alfredo, stir in 4-6 ounces of softened cream cheese until fully incorporated and smooth. Philadelphia cream cheese works well. The cream cheese will also provide a tanginess that counters the metallic taste of some jarred sauce.
Stir in parmesan
Alfredo sauce gets its signature flavor from parmesan cheese. Most ready-made alfredo sauces are lacking when it comes to parmesan flavor. Stirring in some extra grated parmesan can give store-bought alfredo a flavor boost. Use good quality parmesan, like Parmigiano-Reggiano, for the best flavor. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup grated parmesan after heating the Prego sauce. Let it melt into the sauce before tossing with pasta.
Sauté vegetables
Cooking down vegetables in olive oil and garlic can add lots of flavor to lackluster jarred alfredo sauce. Try sautéing a combo like mushrooms, zucchini and spinach. Or opt for classic alfredo veggies like broccoli, peas or asparagus. Sauté the veggies until tender in olive oil and minced garlic. Then stir the Prego Alfredo sauce into the veggie mixture before tossing with pasta.
Add protein
Sautéed shrimp, chicken or sausage can also amp up the flavor of basic alfredo. Cook bite-size pieces of protein until done. Then stir the cooked protein into the heated Prego sauce along with any pan drippings for extra flavor. The additional protein will make the dish more hearty and satisfying.
Enrich with milk or cream
If the Prego Alfredo sauce is too thin, you can easily thicken it up with dairy. Stir in 1/4 to 1/2 cup of heavy cream or whole milk after heating. This will give a looser jarred alfredo a richer, creamier texture. Just be careful not to curdle the sauce by overheating it after adding milk or cream.
Simmer with wine or broth
For deeper flavor, try simmering the Prego Alfredo sauce with wine, chicken broth or vegetable broth. Deglaze the pan used to sauté veggies or protein with 1/4 cup white wine or broth. Scrape up any browned bits. Then pour the warmed Prego sauce into the pan and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes to absorb flavors. This adds complexity.
Spike it with herbs and spices
Fresh or dried herbs are an easy way to make store-bought sauces taste homemade. Add chopped parsley, basil, oregano or thyme. Crushed red pepper flakes, garlic powder, Italian seasoning or cayenne can also add punch. Start with 1/4 teaspoon of dried herbs or 1 tablespoon fresh. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
Mix in pesto
Stirring a dollop of pesto into the Prego Alfredo is a flavorful upgrade. The basil, garlic and pine nuts in pesto complement the cheese and cream in alfredo. Mix in 2-3 tablespoons pesto after heating the sauce. You could also swirl pesto over the finished pasta for visual appeal.
Finish with lemon
A squirt of lemon juice right before serving can brighten up soften the flavor of heavy alfredo sauce. Add 1 teaspoon lemon juice per jar of Prego Alfredo and stir to incorporate right before tossing with pasta. Freshly grated lemon zest also adds bright citrus flavor.
Conclusion
With a few simple tricks, lackluster jarred alfredo sauce can be transformed into a luxurious, restaurant-quality pasta topping. Next time you use Prego Homestyle Alfredo, try enriching it with cream cheese, extra parmesan, quick-sautéed vegetables or proteins. Or brighten up the flavor with fresh herbs, spices, wine, broth or lemon. Doctoring up store-bought sauces lets you achieve the ease of a ready-made meal with the delightful flavors of homemade.