Quick Answer
There are several easy ways to stretch a jar of alfredo sauce to make it go further:
- Add milk or cream – Adding just a splash of milk or heavy cream can thin out the sauce and make it more spreadable.
- Stir in Parmesan – Grated Parmesan cheese can add flavor and bulk up the sauce.
- Mix with pasta water – Ladle in starchy pasta cooking water to thin the sauce.
- Incorporate chicken broth – Chicken broth adds savory flavor and makes the sauce go farther.
- Blend with ricotta – Blending in ricotta cheese makes the sauce creamier and increases the volume.
- Thicken with flour – A pinch of flour can help thicken the sauce so a little goes a long way.
- Fold in Greek yogurt – Nonfat Greek yogurt maintains the creamy texture while stretching the sauce.
- Add a roux – Cooking butter and flour into a paste before mixing into the sauce can help it coat more pasta.
- Supplement with cream cheese – Cream cheese melted into the sauce lends stability and richness.
- Increase mushrooms – Diced mushrooms bulk up the sauce and add meaty umami flavor.
Making Your Alfredo Sauce Go Farther
Alfredo sauce is a creamy, cheesy sauce that is popular to toss with fettuccine and other pastas. The rich, indulgent sauce is made from butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese. While delicious, alfredo sauce can also be calorie-laden. Just a 1⁄4 cup serving of alfredo sauce contains about 200 calories and 22 grams of fat.[1]
So when you buy or make a batch of alfredo sauce, you’ll want that precious jar to go as far as possible. There are several easy tricks to stretch a 16 oz jar of alfredo sauce into more servings:
Add Milk or Cream
Adding just a splash of milk or heavy cream is an easy way to thin out alfredo sauce and make it more spreadable. The milk or cream adds volume so a smaller amount of sauce will coat the pasta. Whole milk and heavy cream also lend a richness that prevents the sauce from becoming too watery.
For an approximately 16 ounce jar of alfredo sauce, try starting with 2 to 4 tablespoons of milk or cream. Stir it in a bit at a time until the sauce reaches the desired consistency. Taste as you go to ensure the flavor remains nicely creamy and cheesy.
Stir in Grated Parmesan
One of the hallmarks of alfredo sauce is its Parmesan cheese flavor. Stirring in some grated Parmesan is a convenient way to stretch your jar of sauce. The dry cheese absorbs moisture and adds bulk, so a bit more alfredo sauce will cover your plate of pasta.
Aim for about 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cup freshly grated Parmesan. Finely grated Parmesan incorporates more smoothly. Make sure to stir it in well so there are no clumps of cheese. Taste and add more cheese as desired for a stronger, cheesier flavor.
Mix in Pasta Water
The starchy cooking water from boiling pasta is a simple secret ingredient that can help extend alfredo sauce. All it takes is a bit of the hot pasta water mixed into the sauce to thin it out so less coats the noodles.
For approximately 16 ounces of alfredo sauce, start by stirring in 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cup pasta water. The starch from the water binds to the sauce and doesn’t dilute the flavor. Continue adding pasta water until the sauce coats the back of a wooden spoon. You may need anywhere from 1⁄2 to 1 cup water depending on how much the sauce needs to be thinned out.
Incorporate Chicken or Vegetable Broth
In place of pasta water, chicken broth or vegetable broth can be used to stretch out jarred alfredo sauce. The savory broth adds moisture to thin out the sauce so a smaller amount will coat the pasta.
For a 16 ounce jar, start by whisking in 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cup of broth. Chicken broth adds the most flavor, though vegetable broth works well too. Keep stirring in broth a little at a time until the sauce reaches the ideal consistency to coat the pasta. The sauce will need anywhere from 1⁄2 to 1 cup of added broth.
Blend Sauce with Ricotta Cheese
Blending ricotta cheese into alfredo sauce is an easy way to add creaminess and volume. Part-skim or nonfat ricotta works best to prevent the sauce from becoming too rich and heavy.
For a 16 ounce jar of sauce, stir in 1⁄2 to 1 cup of ricotta cheese. Make sure the ricotta is well blended into the sauce until smooth. The cheese adds body while thinning out the sauce slightly. Garnish the finished pasta with extra grated Parmesan if desired.
Thicken Sauce with Flour
While it may sound counterintuitive, adding a bit of flour to alfredo sauce can actually help thin it out. The flour helps thicken the sauce so a smaller amount will coat the pasta.
For a 16 ounce jar, first remove about 1⁄4 cup of the sauce and set aside. In a bowl, whisk 1 to 2 tablespoons of flour into the removed sauce until no lumps remain.
Pour the thickened sauce back into the jar and whisk until well combined. The flour absorbs moisture from the sauce and gives it more body so less is needed to coat the pasta.
Fold in Greek Yogurt
Nonfat or low-fat Greek yogurt is an ideal ingredient to add to jarred alfredo sauce to stretch it farther. The yogurt blends into the sauce well and maintains the creamy texture. It also cuts back on some of the fat and calories while adding protein.
For a 16 ounce jar, stir in 1⁄2 to 1 cup of Greek yogurt. Make sure the yogurt is fully incorporated. The thickness helps the sauce cling to the pasta, allowing you to use less. Sprinkle diced tomatoes or herbs on top for extra flavor and nutrition.
Make a Roux
One classic technique to thicken and extend sauces is making a roux. A roux is a cooked paste of butter and flour that can be whisked into sauces like alfredo to add body.
To make a roux, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tablespoons flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until bubbly and tan. Slowly whisk the roux into the alfredo sauce until smooth. The roux helps the sauce better coat the pasta so less is needed.
Add Cream Cheese
Here’s an easy trick to make alfredo sauce extra creamy – stir in a couple tablespoons of cream cheese! Softened cream cheese blends smoothly into the sauce, adding texture and fat to make the jarred sauce go farther.
For one 16 ounce jar, simply soften 2 to 3 tablespoons of regular cream cheese or Neufchatel cheese. Whisk the cream cheese into the heated sauce until fully melted and smooth. The cream cheese gives it more body so the sauce will coat better.
Bulk Up with Mushrooms
Meaty mushrooms are a healthy way to add fiber and volume to alfredo sauce. Simply sauté some mushrooms until tender and fold them into the sauce.
Chop about 8 ounces of mushrooms, like white or baby bella. Sauté the mushrooms in 1 tablespoon olive oil until lightly browned. Stir the mushrooms into the alfredo sauce to give it more bulk. The mushrooms also add delicious umami flavor.
Make a Creamy Sauce Mix
For an easy shortcut, you can make your own sauce mix to add to jarred alfredo sauce. Simply blend about 1 cup alfredo sauce with 1 cup milk or broth and 1⁄4 cup flour or cornstarch in a blender or food processor.
Store the creamy sauce mix in the fridge. When ready to use, add a few tablespoons of the sauce mix to the jarred alfredo and whisk until combined. This gives you an instant way to stretch a single jar into multiple meals!
Tips for Stretching Alfredo Sauce
Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when making alfredo sauce go farther:
- Add ingredients gradually – Start with small amounts of milk, broth, cheese, etc. and mix in more as needed.
- Check the consistency – The sauce should coat the back of a spoon but not be too thick.
- Keep tasting – Ensure the cheese flavor still comes through after making any additions.
- Go low-fat when possible – Use low-fat Greek yogurt and milk to prevent excess calories.
- Use the sauce sparingly – A little alfredo sauce goes a long way, focus on lightly coating the pasta.
- Make extra sauce – Consider doubling an alfredo sauce recipe so you have leftovers to use.
- Make it ahead – Prep a creamy sauce mix to have on hand to add as needed.
Stretching a favorite jar of alfredo sauce is easy with kitchen staples like milk, broth, cheese, and vegetables. Get creative mixing and matching ingredients to come up with your own signature creamy pasta sauce!
Serving Ideas for Stretched Alfredo Sauce
Once you’ve extended that precious jar of alfredo sauce, here are some delicious ways to put the creamy sauce to use:
Classic Alfredo Pasta
For a homey meal, toss the alfredo with hot cooked fettuccine or linguine. Sprinkle on extra grated Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper. Serve with grilled chicken or shrimp for a complete dish.
Vegetable Alfredo
Make it a hearty vegetarian dinner by adding sautéed vegetables like broccoli, carrots, spinach or asparagus to whole wheat pasta coated in the creamy alfredo.
Chicken Alfredo Baked Ziti
For an easy casserole, mix alfredo with cooked ziti, shredded chicken, and mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top and bake until bubbly for a comforting baked ziti.
Seafood Alfredo
Choose crab, shrimp or scallops for a luxurious seafood alfredo pasta. Quickly sauté the seafood in butter or olive oil before tossing with the pasta and sauce.
Meatball Alfredo
For a hearty, meaty pasta dish, top spaghetti tossed with the extended alfredo sauce with sautéed garlic meatballs. Sprinkle with parsley and Parmesan.
Pizza Pasta Bake
Combine the creamy sauce with penne, pepperoni, tomatoes, spinach, and mozzarella cheese. Bake until melted for a pizza-inspired pasta casserole the whole family will love.
Broccoli Chicken Alfredo Pizza
Spread alfredo sauce on a pre-baked pizza crust. Top with chicken, broccoli, red onion, and cheese for a tasty homemade pizza.
Making Alfredo Sauce from Scratch
While it’s convenient to start with a jar, making alfredo sauce from scratch is also easy and allows you to control the ingredients. Here is a basic recipe to try:
Ingredients
- 1⁄2 cup butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 1⁄2 cups freshly grated Parmesan
- 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in heavy cream and whisk well. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Whisk in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
- Remove from heat and serve sauce over pasta. Garnish with extra Parmesan if desired.
Making your own alfredo allows you to control the quality of ingredients. You can also easily double or triple the recipe and freeze batches for later!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about stretching and making alfredo sauce:
What ingredients make alfredo sauce creamy?
The creaminess in alfredo sauce comes from butter and cheese. Heavy cream also contributes a rich texture. When stretching jarred sauce, stick to creamy dairy products like milk, cream, yogurt, and ricotta to maintain a smooth consistency.
Can I use milk instead of cream?
Yes, you can substitute milk for heavy cream when making or stretching alfredo sauce. Whole milk or 2% milk works best. The milk gives a similar creamy texture and helps thin out the sauce.
Is Parmesan cheese essential for alfredo?
Parmesan cheese is signature to alfredo sauce. Its sharp, salty flavor balances the rich creaminess. When expanding jarred sauce, be sure to incorporate additional grated Parmesan to maintain that cheesy taste.
Can I freeze leftover alfredo sauce?
Absolutely! Freezing is a great way to save alfredo sauce for later use. Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring to airtight containers or freezer bags. Alfredo sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months.
How long does homemade alfredo sauce last?
Freshly made alfredo sauce will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Be sure to store it in an airtight container. You can also freeze homemade sauce in batches for longer storage.
Conclusion
Stretching a favorite jar of alfredo sauce is simple with basic pantry items. Milk, broth, cheese, yogurt, and vegetables can all boost the volume of alfredo sauce so a little goes a long way. Add these ingredients gradually and taste as you go until the sauce has the perfect creamy consistency and cheesy flavor. Use the extended sauce to dress up pasta, pizza, casseroles, chicken, and more for easy, delicious meals. Getting creative stretching each jar allows you to get the most out of decadent alfredo sauce.